Advertisement
On the ten year anniversary of the tragic shooting at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC) in Knoxville, Tennessee, a young woman who was in church the day of the shooting has now become a vocal supporter for gun control legislation. Inspired by the response of Parkland, Florida, students to the shooting at their school, Zoe Brookshire-Risley was a leader in the Knoxville March for Our Lives event and continues to speak publicly about her experience. (WBIR - 7.27.18)
Natalie LeVasseur was also impacted by the TVUUC shooting ten years ago: her husband was inside the church when the shooting occurred. She coped with the trauma of that day with help from chaplains at the Knoxville Police Department, so she has decided to become a chaplain herself. She recently graduated from the chaplain training program and looks forward to helping others. “This is what people need. . . . Be present with them—as a caring person—because disasters make people feel so isolated,” LeVasseur said. (WBIR - 7.27.18)
More coverage:
“TVUUC church members recall July 2008 shooting” (WBIR - 7.29.18)
“TVUUC holds service 10 years after church shooting” (WBIR - 7.29.18)
Massachusetts congregation gets boost as part of new Stephen King series
First Universalist Church in Orange, Massachusetts, appears in the new Stephen King series streaming on Hulu called Castle Rock. The film production has impacted the town in a number of ways, some of which have been economically beneficial. The production crew paid for new electrical wiring at the church in addition to other local enhancements. (WBUR - 7.25.18)