"In the midst of our grief, it is also right that we reaffirm who we are as Unitarian Universalists..."
Rev. Jodi Cohen Hayashida
First Universalist Church, Unitarian Universalist
Auburn, ME
In the midst of our grief, it is also right that we reaffirm who we are as Unitarian Universalists and recommit ourselves to living out—proudly and openly—the principles of our faith. Jim Adkisson intentionally chose the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church because he hated liberals and gays—a choice that, shockingly, others have affirmed. This attack was a hate crime—an assault not only on our sisters and brothers but also on our most deeply held beliefs. He meant not only to kill, but also to intimidate and silence. And so the question before us now is—do we allow ourselves to be intimidated? Do we permit ourselves to be silenced? Or in this moment, do we choose to speak even louder—declaring with pride our belief that all people all sacred and worthy of love, naming clearly and unmistakably our embrace of the gay/lesbian/bi-sexual/transgender community? It is in moments like this when we decide: how deeply does our faith in the power of love run? How strongly do we believe that it is, that it must be, the guiding principle of the world? How committed are we to the principles of our faith that teach us of the inherent worth and dignity of every person, of justice, equity, and compassion, of peace and community? It is in moments like this, when it becomes clear that there may be a cost associated with these beliefs that we decide—are we willing to stand by them? Are we willing to stand up in the face of hatred, in the face of violence, in the face of terror, and declare proudly that we will not be moved from this sacred path and this holy work? Now. Right now. Right now we decide. Right now we choose. Will we stand?
Stand up (gesture to stand up). If you are willing to stand by this faith, stand up. If you truly believe that all people are sacred, stand up. If you rejoice in the diversity that fills this space, that beautifies this world, stand up...If you are willing to risk what must be risked, to do what must be done—stand up.
Standing here, we join with thousands of Unitarian Universalists across the country and around the world in declaring that our faith is deep enough, our faith is strong enough, our faith is rooted enough in what is good and holy and right that we cannot be silenced. We cannot be intimidated. Because we know—love will prevail. We will make it so.
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Last updated on Thursday, June 3, 2010.
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