Rainbow flag, anti-war gathering, and more

Ongoing coverage of the July 27 tragedy at the Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville is being carried on our main news page. Summaries of media coverage appear in other UUs in the Media posts.

Congregations and ministers in the news
A rainbow flag has been taken for the second time from the UU church in Kirkland, Washington. The congregation unanimously voted in July to welcome gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Members plan to restore a new flag when they can make it more secure.
(PNW Local News - WA 8.1.08)

DeKalb, Ill., UU minister Linda Slabon turned out to support an anti-war gathering of Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice.
(MidWeek - DeKalb, IL 8.6.08)

Unitarian minister Rev. Chris Hudson was among those who marched in a gay pride parade in Belfast, Ireland. Other clergy present included both protesters and supporters. (Belfast Newsletter - Belfast, UK 8.4.08)

The youth of High Plains UU Church have spruced up their congregation's mini-golf course in Colorado Springs, Colo., and use it to raise funds for charities. (KOAA - Pueblo, CO 8.6.08)

The UU Church of the Monterey Peninsula in Carmel, Calif., donated $6449 to the Monterey County Food Bank; it was one of several recent gifts to support the emergency food program. (The Salinas Californian - Salinas, CA 8.6.08)

Knoxville church rededicated; shooter waives hearing

Our coverage of the deadly shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville continues with a roundup of the latest stories and commentary. Former ministers of TVUUC converged in Knoxville on Sunday, August 3, as the congregation rededicated its sanctuary, where two people were killed and six others were injured when a gunman opened fire on July 27. Video of the rededication service is online at the WBIR-TV website. News organizations in Knoxville and throughout the U.S. continue to report on the shooting and its aftermath.

The accused shooter, Jim David Adkisson, is being held on first-degree murder charges. His defense attorney is preparing an insanity defense. Adkisson waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

Church rededication:

• Unitarians rededicate church where gunman killed two (Religion News Service, Beliefnet - 8.5.08)


• After fatal shootings, congregants reclaim church's sacredness (Knoxville News Sentinel - 8.4.08, with video; earlier version)


• Church service brings peace to congregation gunman struck (WBIR - 8.3.08, with video)


• TVUUC congregation receives outpouring of support at rededication (WVLT - 8.4.08)


• Faith healing: A week after a deadly shooting, church members begin salvation of sacred space (Knoxville News Sentinel - 8.3.08)


• Churches pray and remember victims (Knoxville News Sentinel - 8.3.08)


• Healing continues following deadly church shooting (WBIR - 8.2.08)

Criminal investigation:

• Knoxville church shooter waives case to grand jury (Knoxville News Sentinel - 8.6.08)

Local responses:

• Honoring victims may be on Knox County Commission agenda (Knoxville News Sentinel - 8.5.08; earlier version)


• Alabama singer to do church benefit (Knoxville News Sentinel - 8.5.08; earlier version)

Coverage elsewhere:

In wake of shooting, is it safe to be a liberal? (Gresham Outlook - Gresham OR, 8.5.08)

Houses of worship seek safety, security (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Pittsburgh PA, 8.5.08)

When violence invaded worship spaces (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Pittsburgh PA, 8.5.08)

You are not alone: Local Unitarian Universalist church receives moral support (Daily Times - Maryville TN, 8.4.08)

Commentary:

• Post-traumatic unity: Guest column by former minister of TVUUC ("On Faith": Washington Post/Newsweek - 8.5.08)


• Are you liberal? (Southwest Virginia News - 8.6.08)


• Standing firm in the face of fear (Oregonian - Portland OR, 8.6.08)


• Knoxville shootings are a symptom of our culture (Charleston City Paper - Charleston SC, 8.6.08)


• It only strengthens their resolve (Bennington Banner - Bennington VT, 8.6.08)


• Greg McKendry: An absolute hero (BuzzFlash - 8.5.08)