Statement in Response to the Mosque Shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand - March 15, 2019
Religious hate has no place in the United States, New Zealand or elsewhere. We stand in solidarity with the Muslim communities that experienced the traumatic shooting caused by hate, and we uphold the value that all people have the right to participate in the religion (or no religion) of their choice.
Members of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective know first-hand the impact white-supremacist hate can have on a community. As interfaith leaders, we pray for the healing of the Muslim communities in Christchurch, New Zealand. We mourn your loss. We extend our sympathy to the family members and friends whose beloved ones’ lives were cut short in this tragic shooting. We call for a renewed commitment to mutual respect and understanding, that all may learn to honor the diversity of creation, the diverse expressions of devotion, and the sacredness of human life.
We, the undersigned members of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective, affirm our calling to bring attention to, and address issues of racial, religious, and social justice. As a community of faith leaders we are committed to standing as witnesses for love, justice, and unity. We will continue to pray and work for an end to this senseless hate and violence.
Signed,
Rev. Dr. Eugene T. Locke, Parish Associate, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Rev. Robert Lewis, Hinton Avenue United Methodist Church
Rev. Liz Hulme Adam, Tabor Presbyterian Church
Rev. Sandra J. Wisco, Lutheran (ELCA)
Pastor Sarah A. Kelley, Faith, Hope and Love Church
Gail Hyder Wiley, elder, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Manouchehr Mohajer, Baha'i Faith
Harry Kennon, First United Methodist Church
Dr. Elizabeth Emrey, New Beginnings Christian Community
Rev. Erik Walker Wikstrom, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville
Rev. Dr. Alvin Edwards
Rev. Don Lansky & Rev. Patricia Gulino Lansky, Unity of Charlottesville
Rev. Dr. Jill Duffield, Cove Presbyterian Church
Rev. Marilu Thomas, Assoc. Rector Christ Episcopal Church
Adam Slate, President, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church-Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Dr. David K. Garth, Westminster Presbyterian
Rev. Mildred Best, Mount Zion First African Baptist Church
Rev. Will Brown, University Baptist Church
Rev. Maren Hange, Charlottesville Mennonite Church
Rev. Rabia Povich, Charlottesville Inayati Sufi Order
Susan Kaufman, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Ann Marie Smith, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Rev. Dr. Jim Bundy retired clergy, United Church of Christ
Sharon Beckman-Brindley, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Rev. Dr. Michael Cheuk, Charlottesville Clergy Collective
Gayle Jessup White
Rev. Nick Deere, Broadus Memorial Baptist Church
Rabbi Emeritus Daniel Alexander, Congregation Beth Israel
Rev. Carol Sims, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Members of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective know first-hand the impact white-supremacist hate can have on a community. As interfaith leaders, we pray for the healing of the Muslim communities in Christchurch, New Zealand. We mourn your loss. We extend our sympathy to the family members and friends whose beloved ones’ lives were cut short in this tragic shooting. We call for a renewed commitment to mutual respect and understanding, that all may learn to honor the diversity of creation, the diverse expressions of devotion, and the sacredness of human life.
We, the undersigned members of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective, affirm our calling to bring attention to, and address issues of racial, religious, and social justice. As a community of faith leaders we are committed to standing as witnesses for love, justice, and unity. We will continue to pray and work for an end to this senseless hate and violence.
Signed,
Rev. Dr. Eugene T. Locke, Parish Associate, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Rev. Robert Lewis, Hinton Avenue United Methodist Church
Rev. Liz Hulme Adam, Tabor Presbyterian Church
Rev. Sandra J. Wisco, Lutheran (ELCA)
Pastor Sarah A. Kelley, Faith, Hope and Love Church
Gail Hyder Wiley, elder, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Manouchehr Mohajer, Baha'i Faith
Harry Kennon, First United Methodist Church
Dr. Elizabeth Emrey, New Beginnings Christian Community
Rev. Erik Walker Wikstrom, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville
Rev. Dr. Alvin Edwards
Rev. Don Lansky & Rev. Patricia Gulino Lansky, Unity of Charlottesville
Rev. Dr. Jill Duffield, Cove Presbyterian Church
Rev. Marilu Thomas, Assoc. Rector Christ Episcopal Church
Adam Slate, President, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church-Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Dr. David K. Garth, Westminster Presbyterian
Rev. Mildred Best, Mount Zion First African Baptist Church
Rev. Will Brown, University Baptist Church
Rev. Maren Hange, Charlottesville Mennonite Church
Rev. Rabia Povich, Charlottesville Inayati Sufi Order
Susan Kaufman, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Ann Marie Smith, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Rev. Dr. Jim Bundy retired clergy, United Church of Christ
Sharon Beckman-Brindley, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Rev. Dr. Michael Cheuk, Charlottesville Clergy Collective
Gayle Jessup White
Rev. Nick Deere, Broadus Memorial Baptist Church
Rabbi Emeritus Daniel Alexander, Congregation Beth Israel
Rev. Carol Sims, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
