Alaskan Vigils for UU Church Shootings at "Welcoming Congregation"

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowships in Anchorage and Juneau are holding vigils in support of everyone effected by the tragic shooting at the UU Church in Tennessee, and as an expression of solidarity with all people of faith who engage in spiritual work for social justice.

The Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship vigil is at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29 in the Marine Park shelter. The Anchorage vigil is at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30th at the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3201 Turnagain Street.

"We invite all members and friends of Juneau's faith community to join us in this solemn moment," said Dave Dierdorff, the current lay leader of the Juneau Fellowship. "The shattering of the sanctity of any sanctuary, no matter the faith, is an attack on all of us."

On Sunday, Jim David Adkisson went into the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville and shot several congregants, killing one man on the spot and fatally wounding a woman from the Westide Unitarian Universalists congregation, who died shortly after being taken to the hospital.

The evidence now strongly suggests that hate was the motive for the crime. Adkisson had in his car a four-page handwritten note in which he blamed what he called 'the liberal movement' for his inability to get a job, and targeted the church because it received publicity regarding its 'liberal stance.'

"He disliked blacks, gays, anyone who was a different color or just different from him," Carol Smallwood of Alice, Texas, told the Knoxville News Sentinel. 

TVUUC is a Welcoming Congregation and hosts numerous LGBT groups, including the Knoxville chapter of PFLAG and the Spectrum Cafe, which "especially welcomes teens who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, or who are questioning their sexual or gender identity." One of the transgendered teens was in the church at the time of the shooting, in a special youth performance of the musical Annie. Her new foster father, Greg McKendry, stepped in front of the gunman to protect others in the church, and was killed. 

On Monday evening, the Second Presbyterian Church — next door to the TVUUC, which is now a crime scene — held a candlelight vigil that drew hundreds in solidarity.

The Anchorage UU is also a "Welcoming Congregation" and sent this message to the community:

We were all shocked and saddened to learn about the horrible events that took place at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville.

Apparently a deeply disturbed man entered the sanctuary yesterday during Sunday morning service, shouted "hateful things" according to a witness, and opened fire into the crowd during a children's program. Two adult members of the church were killed, and 6 others are currently in the hospital being treated for serious injuries.

Such senseless violence happening in a place of worship and peace is difficult to process. Especially difficult is the fact that this horrible incident is now being investigated as a hate crime after a letter was found in the shooter's car indicating that his motivation was born out of hostility toward "the liberal movement."

Details of the letter are unavailable, but the church had just become a UU "Welcoming Congregation," openly showing their support and welcome to the GLBT community, in addition to promoting religious tolerance and acceptance of those with differing or no religious beliefs.

The Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, also a "Welcoming Congregation," will be holding a candlelight vigil in support of all those affected by the tragedy, and all those who hold dear the ideals of freedom, reason and tolerance for all people.

We invite any and all to attend who wish to be together in reflection, compassion and support.