Reflections on church shooting

In the face of such tragedy, what can we do, what can't be done?

We can't make our lives and our communities totally safe. We always will be vulnerable to those very few intent on violence. We can do some things to lessen the threat, but such violence will always be a possibility. We can live and thrive in the presence of that possibility as we have most of our lives.

We can't take away the incredible pain that our fellow UUs in Knoxville are now facing. We can, though, let them know they are not alone and that we hold them in our thoughts. Hopefully, this will bring some comfort to them as they struggle to come to terms with the tragedy. Hopefully, that will bring some comfort to us as we struggle to come to terms with the tragedy.

We can't ignore that this was directed at the Knoxville church because of its progressive stand on major issues. This was not a case of mistaken identity or random violence. This was directed at the liberal voice so often spoken out of our faith. We can and must keep that voice alive and active in the world. We can't let fear take us over. As the song states - we can't hide our light under a bushel. We can't let the forces of intolerance frighten us into not speaking our truth, into hiding in our obscurity.

We can find courage through our community and faith. We can find renewed commitment in light of the tragedy. We can join together, raise our voices and be heard.

We can't slide into hate and demonize the human being with the gun. We can struggle to understand and live with compassion.

We can increase the odds of love in the world.

The Rev. Daniel Brosier

Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin