In the wake of the Tucson shootings...

Service of Cleansing and Healing held

in Tucson

Gathering at the site of the Jan. 8 mass shooting outside a Tucson Safeway, a group of community faith leaders performed "a service of cleansing and healing" Jan. 20, sprinkling the area with blessed water "to reverence and reclaim the space."

 

Tucson Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, one of eight who spoke briefly and offered prayers, noted how faith leaders responded to tragedy in other communities, such as the 9/11 attack, the Columbine High School shootings and the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

 

It was a bright sunny day, an observer noted, very much like the day the gunman struck. The prayer service was unannounced to the public, to minimize disruption to the shopping center, which was shut down for several days for the investigation.The faith leaders dipped juniper branches into the holy water and sprinkled the parking lot where a gunman killed six and wounded 13 in a rampage apparently aimed at Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was conducting an informal meeting with constituents.

 

At the prayer service, the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, Southwest Conference Minister of United Church of Christ, opened the gathering.  "God is, was and will be in this place," he said. "God was and is with us as we grieve. And God is with us today to help us reclaim this space for the good of all."

 

Bishop Kirk Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, Rabbi Stephanie Aaron of Congregation Chaverim and the Rev. Jan Olan Flaaten, executive director of the Arizona Ecumenical Council, all offered prayers.  The "Liturgy of Reclamation and Blessing" was recited by the Rev. Sue Westfall, pastor and stated clerk of Presbytery de Cristo, Synod of the Southwest Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the Rev. Dennis Williams, regional minister and president of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona.

 

The benediction was given by Phoenix Bishop Minerva G. Carcano of the United Methodist Church's Desert Southwest Conference.  "May the gracious winds of the Spirit blow in this place anew," she said. "May peace, hope and love flow from person to person to person. And may the world continue to be transformed by acts of kindness and courage."

 

Resources for the faith communities in response to the Tucson shootings, please go to:   Mourning, Healing, Hope  

Pictured above from left are the Rev. Sue Westfall, a Presbytery Pastor, the Rev. Jan Olav Flaaten, Executive Director, Arizona Ecumenical Council, Bishop Gerald Kicanas, Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, and Bishop Kirk Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona.