A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and wailing.
It’s Rachel crying for her children;
she refuses to be consoled,
because her children are no more. – Jeremiah 31:15
A voice cries out in Buffalo. A voice cries out in Irvine. A voice cries out in Uvalde.
Parents weeping for their children. Neighbors calling out in grief, disbelief and anger. They refuse to be consoled, their beloved are no more.
The religious communities of Lexington mourn with all those who have lost loved ones to gun violence in the United States in recent days. We cry out in the face of such horrible loss. And we find ourselves remembering all too many prior deaths to gun violence. We condemn the use and wide distribution of assault weapons and ask, how many more children will be sacrificed on the altar of gun rights? We shout: no more of this!
The shootings in Buffalo and Irvine were racially motivated hate crimes, the most recent in a long list. We decry racism and hatred in all forms. We turn our hearts to honest self-examination and encourage members of our communities to do the same. As faith leaders we re-commit to the essential work of ending racism, white nationalism and white supremacy. Lives are at stake, and this is our shared work. Look for word of upcoming local gatherings for this shared work, including one to be hosted by LICA in June.
Though the news is terrible, we are not left without hope. We call to mind Dr. King’s good word: “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
May we be passionate, dedicated and tireless in our work for a more just and peaceful society.
Members of the Lexington Interfaith Community – including individual clergy
Rev. Dr. Barbara Lea Callaghan (LICA President), serving Hancock Church
Rabbi Rachel Maimin (LICA Vice President), serving Temple Isaiah
Rev. Reebee Kavich Girash (LICA Clerk), serving Pilgrim Church
Cantor Lisa Doob, serving Temple Isaiah
Rabbi Amy Hertz, serving Temple Isaiah
Rabbi David Lerner, serving Temple Emunah
Rabbi Howard Jaffe, serving Temple Isaiah
Rabbi Leora Kling Perkins, serving Temple Emunah
Rev. Anne Mason, serving First Parish, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Claire Feingold Thoryn, serving Follen Church, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Emily J. Garcia, serving Church of Our Redeemer
Rev. Ginger Solaqua, serving Church of Our Redeemer
Rev. Richard Rhodes, serving Grace Chapel
Tejpreet Kalra, Sikh Community of Lexington
and congregations:
Church of Our Redeemer
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Lexington
First Parish Lexington, Unitarian Universalist
Follen Church, Unitarian Universalist
Grace Chapel, Lexington
Hancock United Church of Christ
Pilgrim Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Sikh Community of Lexington
Temple Emunah, Lexington
Temple Isaiah, Lexington