‘We pray the good Lord will give us the energy and wisdom to act on God’s behalf,’ says a former state legislator
by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service
Doug Yeager, a ruling elder at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church, plays a flute during a vigil following Monday’s mass shooting in downtown Louisville. (Photo by Emily Enders Odom)
LOUISVILLE — During an interfaith service held at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church Monday evening following the morning’s mass shooting at Old National Bank, Rabbi Ben Freed of Keneseth Israel Congregation in Louisville pointed out it isn’t God who’s beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks in the Book of Isaiah.
“It’s the people themselves,” Freed told a crowd of nearly 100 people gathered in a large circle in front of the church to mourn the deaths of four victims and injuries to nine more. “It’s on us to help move hearts and minds of people, to raise our voices and say, ‘Until when will it be enough?’”
“This is a time of healing, to share out of your heart for people who are hurting, for people who are suffering today,” said Soni Castleberry, a ruling elder at the Crescent Hill church. “We are all in pain and we’re seeking ways to heal.”
Eva Stimson, who’s also a ruling elder at the church, read from Habakkuk 1:1-4. “This is a lament,” Stimson said, “so lament with me.” She also read Lamentations 3:19-23, which is also a lament but reminds us that God’s mercies are “new every morning.”
The Rev. Dr. John Odom speaks with Cathy Mekus, Rabbi Ben Freed and others before the start of Monday’s vigil. (Photo by Emily Enders Odom)
The Rev. Dr. John Odom, general presbyter for Mid-Kentucky Presbytery, called it “a sad comment on our lives” that the Book of Common Worship now includes a “Service After a Violent Event,” which includes this prayer: “Gracious God, the news of this day has ripped our hearts and torn our souls. We are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. In the depths of pain and anger, we gather before you, O God, our rock and our refuge. … Merciful God, you know the depth of our suffering. We have only begun to mourn those we have lost.”
“Uphold all those who love them, we pray,” Odom read. “Heed our calls to justice, and do not let us lose hope.”
Angela Lincoln, who teaches theology at Assumption High School in Louisville, speaks during Monday’s vigil. (Photo by Emily Enders Odom)
Doug Yeager, a ruling elder at the Crescent Hill church, offered several selections on the flute. Angela Lincoln, who teaches theology at Assumption High School in Louisville, noted that the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops has for years been calling for background checks and for bans on assault weapons. “If you are a Catholic … do the work it takes,” said Lincoln, who’s also a member of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots group working to pass stronger gun laws, including closing loopholes. Lincoln encouraged those present to join Moms Demand Action. “They work hard and constantly, whether in crisis or not, to solve this problem,” Lincoln said.
As the microphone was passed, several of those present spoke from their hearts. One requested that people put at least as much energy into working toward improving mental health services as they do working to boost gun safety laws.
Jim Wayne, a practicing psychotherapist who served in the Kentucky General Assembly for 28 years, recalled that after the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting in 2012, Kentucky legislators “introduced comprehensive legislation to address gun safety, and we could not even get a hearing on it.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, you have to be politically active. You have to know who your legislator is,” Wayne said, “and you have to hold them accountable.”
Cherrie Pointer-Vaughn speaks to the crowd of about 100 people gathered for Monday’s vigil. (Photo by Emily Enders Odom)
“We have a twin agenda to fight the twin evils of the gun manufacturers and the [National Rifle Association],” Wayne said. “Fully fund and make accessible community mental health services and address gun safety laws, which have to be comprehensive. … These were wonderful citizens who were slaughtered today … We need to say stop it, cease it. It’s over. No more gun violence. It’s time to disarm. We pray the good Lord will give us the energy and wisdom to act on God’s behalf.”
A 13-year-old girl asked those gathered, “Is this what we want America to be like? I suggest we make a change.”
“There’s so much work to be done,” said Cherrie Pointer-Vaughn, who offered up brief remarks and then sang a verse of “Amazing Grace.” “It’s our responsibility to make that happen, to check on children and those battling with mental illness. Everyone has a hand … Whatever is in your hand, take it and use it to the best of your ability.”
“Our city is heavy right now,” Pointer-Vaughn told the Almighty in a prayer. “We need your presence and your Spirit.”
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