1. At the Washington National Cathedral’s interfaith vigil for victims, families and survivors of gun violence — a precursor to the March for our Lives tomorrow.
They’ve illuminated it orange, the color of the protest.
They’ve illuminated it orange, the color of the protest.
2. Speakers/readers/participants hail from Mother Emanuel AME-Charleston, the Nation’s Mosque, Moms Demand Action, Washington Ethical Society, St. Mary Madelene, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and reps from the Hindu, Bhuddist, and Sikh traditions, among others.
3. Worth noting the Cathedral is no stranger to the gun debate.
In 2012, then-Cathedral Dean the Very Rev. Gary Hall proclaimed from the pulpit: “I believe the gun lobby is no match for the cross lobby.”
His sermon garnered a standing ovation. washingtonpost.com/local/national…
In 2012, then-Cathedral Dean the Very Rev. Gary Hall proclaimed from the pulpit: “I believe the gun lobby is no match for the cross lobby.”
His sermon garnered a standing ovation. washingtonpost.com/local/national…
4. Rabbi Jonah Pesner one of the first speakers, his voice cracking as he asks for atonement and forgiveness from young people, saying an older generation has failed them with politicians who don’t pass gun reform, for the U.S. being “awash” with assault weapons.
5. Hindu, Buddhist, Baptist, and Muslim speakers follow, most speaking briefly before leading the group in prayer.
6. The first reflection speakers are April and Philip Schentrup, parents of Carmen Schentrup, who was shot and killed in Parkland.
They’re telling her story—singing in the church choir, being accepted to college honors programs—through tears.
It is absolutely heartbreaking.
They’re telling her story—singing in the church choir, being accepted to college honors programs—through tears.
It is absolutely heartbreaking.
7. April, her voice wavering, notes that Carmen was the president of her church youth group.
Says Carmen wasn’t able to regale her with a sonnet she wrote about April, because she was “gunned down in a hail of bullets from an assault rifle” before she could deliver it.
Says Carmen wasn’t able to regale her with a sonnet she wrote about April, because she was “gunned down in a hail of bullets from an assault rifle” before she could deliver it.
8. April notes “Prayers do not feel like enough. We must act…I ask you continue to pray for the families shattered by gun gun violence…and I also urge you to take action.”
Without new gun laws, “We are condemning more of God’s children to despair and gut-wrenching tragedy.”
Without new gun laws, “We are condemning more of God’s children to despair and gut-wrenching tragedy.”
9. As April and Philip finish, the crowd erupts in applause.
10. A student from Great Mills High School in Maryland, rocked by its own school shooting this week, notes that when news of the Parkland shooting broke he thought it “couldn’t happen” at his own school.
When he notes youth activism, the crowd interrupts him with applause.
When he notes youth activism, the crowd interrupts him with applause.
11. One of the Great Mills students shot in that event died earlier today. cnn.com/2018/03/22/us/…
12. Next speaker from Moms Demand Action notes communities of color have been “trying to get our attention for way too long” on the gun issue.
Crowd applauds.
Crowd applauds.
13. Service now listening to an original song apparently debuted for the event.
It’s powerful, soaring vocals draped atop a minimalist guitar accompaniment.
It’s powerful, soaring vocals draped atop a minimalist guitar accompaniment.
14. Rev. Sharon Rishner, of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston — the site of the tragic shooting — speaking now.
15. Recalls the death of loved ones — including her mother — in the shooting, “killed because they were black.”
Her voice cracking, says, “The journey God has put me on is long and complicated. For a while, I could not even attend church.”
Her voice cracking, says, “The journey God has put me on is long and complicated. For a while, I could not even attend church.”
16. She recalls her mother — a “no-nonsense” kind of woman, her love reggae music.
Says: “Tonight I want you to know that because of my faith, God’s grace, and God’s mercy, I am able to stand here before you tonight for common sense gun laws.”
Crowd interrupts with applause.
Says: “Tonight I want you to know that because of my faith, God’s grace, and God’s mercy, I am able to stand here before you tonight for common sense gun laws.”
Crowd interrupts with applause.
17. More: “Racism is something we deal with here in America. I will advocate for the rest of my life so that their lives (lost in the shooting) will be a catalyst for change.”
She then quotes a passage from Isaiah: “When you go through the deep waters, I will be with you.”
She then quotes a passage from Isaiah: “When you go through the deep waters, I will be with you.”
18. Lucy McBath, faith and outreach leader for Moms Demand Action, is now lovingly recalling her son Jordan Davis — who was shot and killed for “playing his music too loud.”
Recalls their conversations about a love for God, and responsibility to care for all of humanity.
Recalls their conversations about a love for God, and responsibility to care for all of humanity.
19. McBath: “Tomorrow our children will march for their lives. They will march ...(against) unnecessary gun violence. And we will be right there beside them.”
Quotes MLK: “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the entire staircase.”
Quotes MLK: “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the entire staircase.”
20. Concludes by addressing those marching tomorrow: “Jordan will be with you. I will be with you. We are marching with you, as you are marching for all of our lives.”
21. Service now transitioning into a full-on prayer service.
22. A lone church bell now ringing solemnly in remembrance, as the entire congregation stands in silence.
23. As the congregation holds candles — meant to symbolize light in the darkness — a lone violin plays.
24. Some shots of the candle-lighting.
25. Note: service is continuing: currently hearing from youth voices.
26. The hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” now being played on violin and piano.
27. @firepfeiffer1 from Parkland/March for Our Lives closes in prayer for tomorrow’s march, noting “the world will shake when our voices are heard.”
28. @Mebudde: “Never forget one day stories will be told of the ppl who rose up to end the scourge of gun violence from these lands—and you are those people … We seek the blessing of the Almighty who…sends us out now to be holy hands & feet marching for the future God prefers.”
29. Final dismissal song, performed by a soaring choir: We Rise Again
It begins: “We rise again in the face of our children…”
It begins: “We rise again in the face of our children…”
30. And as people process out with candles into the night — lights into literal darkness — that ends the service.
As they leave, several mention preparations for tomorrow’s March.
As they leave, several mention preparations for tomorrow’s March.
31. *Note, I think I got my wires crossed: I don’t believe the student mentioned in #10 above attends Great Mills High School in Maryland, but goes to a school nearby.
He was speaking about the shooting, but as a member of the Washington Ethical Society.
He was speaking about the shooting, but as a member of the Washington Ethical Society.
32. I also misheard his quote — he said “not another one,” but I was running up the stairs at the time — but you can watch the whole thing here: cathedral.org/event/march-li…
33. One last shot of a small section of the crowd (overheard one attendee quip that the gathering appeared larger than the interfaith service convened for Trump’s inauguration).
