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At a vigil held at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in response to the horrific shooting a the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic, the Rev. Nori Rost said: “We're here to honor the lives of those who were killed yesterday in domestic terrorism. . . . We're here to honor the work of Planned Parenthood and stand with them in solidarity. We're here to honor the amazing response of the Colorado Springs police and other responders. But we're mainly here to find comfort in each other's company." (The Gazette – 12.1.15)
UU World also covered the vigil at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Colorado Springs.
In the shadow of the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting, people, including the Rev. Molly Housh Gordon, minister of the UU Church of Columbia, Missouri, gathered on the Missouri University campus to show support for their local Planned Parenthood clinic. Gordon said that state leadership in Missouri was bullying the University into revoking important agreements between doctors working for Planned Parenthood. (Columbia Daily Tribune – 12.1.15)
More coverage:
“Photos Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs, Colo.” (Los Angeles Times – 11.28.15)
“After Planned Parenthood Shooting, Another American Community Mourns” (Huffington Post – 11.28.15)
Support for Muslims, international victims of violence continues
In discussing plans to sponsor a refugee family from Syria, the Rev. Diane Rollert of the Unitarian Church of Montreal, Canada, recalls that the congregation initially thought it might select a family that other churches might not welcome—such as one with gay or lesbian parents or a non-religious family. In the end, the decision was based on need, and the church now has funds to support a family for a full year. (Montreal Gazette – 12.3.15)
It appears that the widespread outpouring of support for freeing the Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana, minister of the Unitarian Church in Burundi, has paid off. Ndagijimana has been in police custody since mid-November. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix – 11.29.15)
UU World also covered the Burundian arrest story.
In adding her name to an open letter signed by at least 30 area faith leaders, the Rev. Patty Willis expressed her heartbreak over the tragic events of past months and the disrespectful rhetoric directed toward Muslims. Willis serves the South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. (The Salt Lake Tribune – 11.28.15)
Vandal receives restorative justice
The person who allegedly defaced a Black Lives Matter banner outside First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, Massachusetts, will make restitution and perform community service to avoid criminal charges. "These kinds of misguided acts call for conversation and learning, not punishment," said Lori Kenschaft, the clerk of the church. (MassLive.com – 12.03.15)
Clergy join Minneapolis Black Lives Matter protest
The Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs joins Unitarian Universalists Lena Gardner and others in a day-long protest outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (KARE 11 – 12.1.15)