Some Thoughts in the Aftermath of The Oregon Shooting
by James Stansberry
Time continues to move forward. The trees outside my apartment window are emptying of leaves; there are more cloudy days than sunny ones now, and Halloween decorations are going up in my apartment. I’ve taken to wearing the leather jacket I bought when I first moved to Seattle in 1987, again, because it’s chillier outside. And it’s nearly a week since the latest shooting in Oregon once again made me hold my hand to my mouth, in astonishment and sadness. Two weeks, nearly, since the horrific Ducks crash on the Aurora bridge. Yes, time keeps on moving forward, and occasionally, like last weekend at my church, moments of profound grace and moments when those who are trying to make sense out of how chaotic our world continues to be come together. We did that last weekend, last Sunday, to be exact.
The big deal was that we members were celebrating that our church, Metropolitan Community Church (started by Rev. Troy Perry in 1968, to respond to the need for GLBT folks to have a church honoring and celebrating their choices) is 44 years old. The surprise was the large group of UW students who showed up, to both check us out, and some (who dabbed at eyes during and after the service) were also present to be in support of those lost in Oregon, and those who must go on.
It was moving and uplifting, and I was proud to be a member of MCC, and even more proud of our new minister, Rev. Brian Hutchison, who has recently taken over as senior minister.
I think a lot of the youth responded to a young face in the pulpit, as well as to the friendliness and laughter—a regular part of our services. To me, it was good to hug people and be assured myself and assure others that yes, life is still good, and yes, God is about love and caring, unlike the message we are seeing too much in the world of late.
I can only think how things might have been different for Mr. Mercer had he come to a service like the one that hosted all those bright, young faces last Sunday. All that love, all that laughter and joy, and of course, the yummy treats at our “radical hospitality” after church. One can’t help but wonder if he’d have felt so left out, if there had been a similar place for him to go and feel welcome.
All I know is it was so good to see so many young, interested faces and hear that they felt cared for, and left feeling better. Maybe that’s the message more churches should try for, particularly in these incredibly violent times. Less “God hates you for__” (fill in the blank with any alternative you wish.) That is the message many get at church, and “you’re going to hell.” Maybe more “God loves you just the way you are” might mean we’d see less violence.
I will never be able to wrap my brain around the idea that someone can kill another person, but I do understand that people can be in pain and feel apart and separate. I only hope that before more violence happens, churches do some soul searching and realize it’s time for a change in attitude, and for a more welcoming presence to young people. Me, I don’t want to read about anymore innocent lives lost because someone felt that violence was a solution.
“For Them”
A small photo in the paper
list of the victims
details, more details
and once again, I sit stunned
into silence
why, why echoes, but has no answer
the universe puts its cold face
on my shoulder
and somewhere, angels are weeping
why, why, but no answers
just photos, details and this
bald silence, of loss, of grief
of knowledge, innocence
is gone from the world
again.
James is a Seattle writer/cancer warrior/psychic/medium.
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