Our Doors and Hearts Will Remain Open

On Sunday morning, Unitarian Universalists gather for worship, a time of fellowship, reflection, and celebration of life. Only on Sunday, July 27, 2008 a horrifying tragedy took place at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. About two hundred people gathered for the service which that morning featured a performance of “Annie,” the culmination of a two-week musical theater workshop for children. The musical production had just begun when a man entered the sanctuary carrying a guitar case and wearing a fanny-pack around his waist. To the shock of the congregation, the 58 year old man, drew a 12-gauge shotgun from the case, pulled shotgun shells from his pack, and fired three rounds into the pews.

Members of the congregation tackled the shooter and subdued him before the police arrived on the scene and successfully took him into custody. Greg McKendry, a church usher and trustee, died on the scene after shielding others from the gunman. Linda Kraeger, a member of nearby Westside UU Church, died later that evening. Eight other people representing both Unitarian congregations in Knoxville, TN suffered injuries from the gunfire. No children were physically harmed by this act of violence. Taylor Bessette, a cast member and McKendry’s foster son said to a reporter about the incident, “Make sure that everyone knows that George McKendry was a hero, a total hero.”

The shooter has since been identified as Jim David Adkisson, an unemployed local man who blamed “the liberal movement” for his inability to secure a job. Following the incident, police found a four page letter in Adkisson’s car expressing his hatred of “liberals in general, as well as gays.” According to further police investigation, he targeted the Tennessee Valley Church because of its well-known support of equal rights for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people, as well as women’s rights, and commitment to racial justice. Adkisson expected that he would be shot down by police while carrying out his premeditated attack.

Instead of fear and hatred, this tragic incident has caused an outpouring of solidarity and compassion. During a packed service, one week after the shooting, the Rev. Chris Buice, Minister of Tennessee Valley UU Church preached, “There are many names for the power of healing, and we have felt that power in this congregation this week. This has been a time of paradoxes. Last Sunday a man walked into this sanctuary with the intention of inflicting terror, and he inspired quick and decisive acts of courage. Reports tell us that he believed liberals were soft on terror. He had a rude discovery! He came into this space with a desire to do an act of hatred, but he has unleashed unspeakable amounts of love.”

This love has come from the Knoxville Interfaith community as well as Unitarian Universalists across the country that have sent expressions of support to the two grieving congregations. The Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry provided counseling and resources to people of all ages touched by this tragedy and a special fund was established to help pay for further therapy as needed.

“Our Doors and Our Hearts Will Remain Open” was the headline of a full-page advertisement that appeared in the New York Times on Sunday, August 10, 2008. The ad put forth by the Unitarian Universalist Association expressed our sincere prayer that the shooter, Jim David Adkisson, find peace and reconciliation, and our dedication as a faith movement to our religious mission. The ad quoted the Rev. William Sinkford, UUA President, “We will not give in to fear. We will meet hatred with love. We will continue to work for justice. Our hearts and the doors of our more than 1000 Unitarian Universalist nationwide, remain wide open, Unitarian Universalists stand on the side of love. We invite you to stand with us.”

Channing Memorial Church is committed to the core values of Unitarian Universalism: freedom of belief, tolerance, reason, equality, and the dignity of every human being. We gather as a faith community to support one another in living these values daily and in order to work together to make the world a better place. Our hearts, minds, and doors will remain open. If you are looking for an inclusive loving community, I invite you to join us anytime.