ANTI-VIOLENCE VIGIL

NOVEMBER 1, 1998

An Anti-Violence Vigil and tribute to Matthew Shepard was held in the sanctuary of St. John's United Methodist Church, sponsored by MCC St. Louis and St. John's. About 500 people were in attendance, representing many different religions, ethnic backgrounds, groups and individuals from the Greater St. Louis area. The Honorable Mayor Harmon was the featured speaker. Following is the order of service:

RESPONSIVE CALL FOR GATHERING
One: There are some who hurl taunts, threats and words of hate against other people.
All: But, for the sake of peace, we will not be silent.
One: Some people may use fists, weapons and acts of violence to keep others down.
All: But we will not go away.
One: Some of us are excluded from civil rights protections and laws are not enacted to keep us safe.
All: If we were silent in the face of this injustice, the very rocks would cry out.
One: We say, "No life should ever be sacrificed to intolerance."
All: We say, "No life should ever be silenced by injustice."
One: Each human life is precious.
All: Each human path is sacred. Let us be open to removing from our hearts all that leans towards violence and hate and replace it with a passion for justice and peace.

WELCOME AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

WORDS FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Some of Mayor Harmon's words:
He indicated to all gathered his support of this anti-violence vigil. On the murder of Matthew Shepard, he recalled the violence which occured during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950's and 60's, and how his feelings about each are similar. He reassured the audience, that he would do all in his power to prevent these kinds of horrific crimes from occuring in St. Louis.

VOICES FOR PEACE
All official representatives of a group or organization were encouraged to stand, speak the name of the group, followed by the statement: "We want an end to all violence."

SPECIAL READINGS

REFLECTIONS ON THE LIVES WE HAVE LOST

SPECIAL MUSIC
The MCC Choir sang, "I Believe in a Place Called Hope."

MOMENTS OF SILENCE
A time for remembrance and prayer, we hold up, in unity, the following thoughts and wishes:

Let us remember those who preach hatred and who fail to see that the violence of their words leads to violence in actions. We acknowledge that they, too, are wounded by their own fears and prejudices. For their sake, and for ours, we call upon them to cease their outpouring of rhetoric and instead to preach justice and love for all of God's children.

Let us remember those in the legislatures and executive offices in our nation and our states who have allowed bills to languish or who have blocked the passage of laws designed to protect those who are victims of hate crimes. We acknowledge that they, too, are left vulnerable without these protections. For their sake, and for ours, we call upon them to act to protect the lives and civil rights of each citizen in their jurisdictions.

Let us remember our own inactions, for times when we have not advocated on our own behalf for laws that would protect us and others and for times when we have not acted to stop injustice against another. We acknowledge that until all are safe, none of us are safe; until all are free, none of us are free. For their sake, and for ours, we call upon each other to renew our commitment to work for justice in our land and in our lives.

Let us remember those who live with deep fear in their hearts, who live with hatred and who believe that violence is the answer to their problems. We acknowledge that when they act in hatred, their lives, too, are destroyed and their futures erased. We recognize the pain and confusion of their families, who are also devastated by the actions of their loved ones. For their sakes, and for ours, we call upon them to be transformed, to let love rule where violence once flourished.

Let us remember all who have been harmed by violence, who have known the terror at the other end of a hate-filled word or an upraised fist. We acknowledge the strength of those who survived and the long road to healing. In their grief and pain, we also lift up the families of those who have been injured or killed through acts of violence. May all who have been touched by this disaster in their lives find hope and healing.

Let us remember all who have lost their lives to hate-motivated violence, who have spent their final moments in fear and pain. We acknowedge the beauty and preciousness of their lives, and our loss that they are no longer among us. We remember Matthew Shepard and those he left behind. May all who were touched by him remember his life, as well as his death. May the beauty of this spirit and his love and care for his family live on in us. For their sakes, and for ours, we commit ourselves to building each other up and to healing, together.

CHALLENGE TO CONTINUE

DEDICATION OF THE PEOPLE

One: Let us not be silence by hatred and fear. Let us not give up because of intolerance and injustice. Rather, let us stand today, united, strong, courageous...and commit ourselves to creating a world that is filled not with violence, but with peace; not with hatred, but with love.
All: I will speak out for justice and for freedom, for my life and for the lives of others.
I will call upon my government to equally protect each of its citizens.
I will act when I see injustice around me.
I will seek peace in my life and in all my actions.
I will value my own journey and my uniqueness.
I will value the journey and lives of those who are different from me.
I will remember Matthew and all whom we have lost to violence.
I will live my life with courage, with love and with hope, as a tribute to their lives.

PRAYER

CLOSING SONG "We Shall Overcome"

If you would like to send Mayor Harmon a thank you for supporting the anti-violence issue and speaking at our Anti-Violence Vigil, you can email him at: harmon@stlouis.missouri.org which can also be found on his web site Mayor's Office

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