In the Interim, June 16, 2016

Dear members and friends at UUCR,
Last Sunday morning as we gathered for worship the news was still new and incomplete about events that had transpired overnight at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.  The days since have brought a barrage of information, judgment, political rhetoric, and conflicting recommendations for preventing future such tragedies.  Underneath all of this runs a deep river of pain, for the families of the people who lost their lives, for the LGBTQ community who have a new sense of insecurity in the gathering places where they have found acceptance and joy, and for all of us who bear witness to yet another mass shooting for reasons that will forever remain unexplainable.
Some gathered here for an impromptu vigil of readings, songs, and sharing early on Tuesday evening.  There will be a larger interfaith eventon Sunday at the First Congregational Church of Reading, UCC, 25 Woburn St., at 4:30 p.m. Elsewhere in this e-newsletter is more detail.
We hold in our hearts those whose lives were lost.  On our church’s Facebook page we have shared a video made public on MSNBC of the song, “Pulse,” written by two songwriters, Brandon Skeie and Eli Lieb, and presented as a backdrop to share the faces and names of the 49 who died on a night meant for dancing and loving.  I encourage you to view it.  A link is here:  http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/exclusive-song-pays-tribute-to-pulse-victims-706503747547
Perhaps, like me, you will see and feel some of what I saw and felt – they are so young, such a diverse group, the sons and daughters of heartbroken parents.  May our next step be one of commitment honoring their lives.
Warm regards,
Catherine
Rev. Catherine Senghas
Interim Minister