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Dear Members and Friends of Our Beloved UU Church of Valdosta

From our minister Rev. Al Boyce

Thursday, May 29, 2003 we realized that the hate was no longer an abstract concept or event that affected the lives of distant places and people but it confronted us personally, individually and collectively as a faith community.  We saw the face of hate and it was horrifying.

Though we cannot understand or grasp the whys of this tragedy we do know that it was a crime against freedom of religion, the democratic process and the right of safe assembly in our nation.    

As the law follows its process of discovering the criminals behind this act I challenge us to do our spiritual work.  May we find a deep rooted courage to be more vigilant than ever to do justice, provide safe harbor to the disenfranchised, and continue to uphold the constitutional rights, freedom of speech, assembly, and religious expression.

I am very heartened, and hope you are as well, by the immense outpouring of compassion and solidarity from our UU faith family, all the way from Boston to our nearby UU churches.  I am deeply moved, and pray you are as well, by the wonderful expression of support provided by our friends and neighbors to cleanup from the vandalism.  Please tell each, as you see them, how much their presence meant to you and your parish.  It will mean a great deal to them.

It is important to grieve, and grieve we must...but as we pass through it I pray it will be our determination to live our faith more committed and more resolutely as we determine to keep the flame of our liberal faith a beacon of hope and strength for all that need us.   

May we look back on these days as days of wonder when the Divine spark ignited an eternal flame that lightens the darkest corners of fear and oppression and brings the light of hope so no person must cower to the evils of hate.  We are a privileged people indeed.   For such a time as this we are together.  Hold on to courage my dearest friends.  I hold you in my heart. 

In our living faith, Al

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A reminder of better times and hope for the future

Dear Friends,

 I am so saddened to hear of this horrific, twisted act of violence and subsequent pain to the hearts and Spirit of many loving people.

There are so many wonderful memories, for me, of being a part of who you are..... meetings in homes, the old wooden -floored, drafty sanctuary with all it's years of joys and tears....I always pondered, "...if IT could only speak...."

Sunday morning discussions around a tiny table in children's chairs,  in the ante-room....

 ... Horse-back riding at the Ingram's picnics, Martha and Norman's special hospitality, covered dish dinners and book reviews, Steve and Janet, camping in the north woods of Ga., Chuck and Laural,  the Branans, "Jack-In-the-Pulpit" and Cathy,  Laura Lee and Miriam,  Danny and Lucy, Carol, Betty, Charles, Dee, Rose, the Asbury's, Scarlett, Cranford, the sweet couple from Lakeland...and the list goes on and on....faces whose names escape me....(it's the distance!  -- COULDN"T be my age......but aren't those one in the same?.... this needs to be discussed!)

The first coffee house event and the sheer outpouring / responsiveness of "community" at it's best-- the talent and time that came from everywhere,  the hard work and effort on the part of the UU's  to ace primitive preparation of a delightful menu, hang lights, rearrange pews, serve food,  all to "make it happen" and,  on a shoe-string, to boot, no pun intended....

 How the success made us all feel! --  Amidst the dreams of the new sanctuary and facility, (with a real live kitchen),  where  peace and harmony would simply be "continued" in the spirit of love and acceptance....

 My first experience of a native American sweat lodge took place on this hallowed bit of ground....I shall never forget the peace, the comradery--  the experience of having gone into the lodge by afternoon light and of coming out into the dark of night, refreshed and "cleansed"....We counted the stars that night, stretched out on our backs on the cool, cleared earth, feeling ever more  "grounded and connected" on the very spot where the sanctuary would, at long last, be "born" in only a few short weeks.

The memories run deep, of being lovingly embraced by a unique group of angels -- the congregation of Valdosta UU --  without them their love, support and encouragement, I know I would not have finished my degree at VSU!!

NO one can EVER destroy or take those remembrances from me, they are tucked away safely in a "special" corner of my heart......"thank you" each and every one.

You have touched so many lives in a very special way, and you will continue to do so; it would take more than this to wilt your determination.

Your hearts will mend, your lovely sanctuary will be restored and you will be all -the -stronger for it.....there IS a bigger picture....

The waters may have been mudded, but your visions for betterment of life has not be clouded.... Much good and healing will come from this...

"Chalice lighting" will never be the same....I have you in my prayers and in my eyes.  Love &Light,  Lorena

(A note from Lorena Holland Barrios, former member of our congregation)

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Many thanks to Carol Stiles, who has been regularly updating our website over the last week.  It is comforting to see the many messages from former members who are scattered across the United States, members and friends in the community, and UU’s from all over.  Theresa Thompson, who returns next week from Syktyvkar, Russia, lit candles in a Russian Orthodox church, Betty Derrick and Earl Daniels lit candles at the Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Atlanta, Leslie Freeman, a regular visitor several years ago, wrote from Newcastle, England that she had shared our situation with her Quaker meeting, and there are many others.  

v     I was saddened, sickened and appalled to learn of the desecration to your building last week. I was honored to speak with your congregation about two years ago and remember the building as an idyllic setting in the woods. It pains me to think of the hatred that invaded your space.  I regret that I will be unable to join you this Sunday. I will be attending the MSD Presidents Convo this week-end. If there is a silver lining I hope that this incident will bring you opportunities to reach out to the wider religious community, and they to you, to forge stronger interfaith bonds.  If there is anything I can do personally or in my role as your UUA Trustee please don't hesitate to ask. Be assured that the Mid-South District Leadership shares my concern. Lyn Conley,  UUA Trustee FLD & MS

 

v     I have passed the information about your congregation along to our UUA senior staff and they wish you and your congregation to know that we are all very concerned about this sad event.  We are also very proud of the courage and perseverance your community is showing in the face of this vicious attack.  You have our admiration and support, so please don't hesitate to call on us if we can do more. Janet Hayes, Information Officer, Office of Information and Public Witness, The Unitarian Universalist Association

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From “Peacemaking: Day by Day” for May 29….”You say you don’t want anything to happen to me.  I’d prefer it that way myself ¾but I don’t see that we have control over the forces of madness, and if you choose to enter into other people’s suffering, or love others, you at least have to consent in some way to the possible consequences.”  Ita Ford (Maryknoll Sister murdered in El Salvador)

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Thank you...to those expressing concern and support for us after the recent vandalism at our church. Our mission of "building a community of acceptance and love" continues undaunted as the physical cleanup and restoration begin.

"....AND WE ARE SINGING ...."