There was plenty of anger to go around on social media following the early Sunday morning massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.
And with 50 dead and 53 wounded by a lone gunman claiming allegiance to ISIS, that is not a surprise.
But the American faith communities, from institutions to individuals, offered a different response: compassionate action, hope and prayer.
Whether in press conferences, emails or Facebook postings, many people of faith actively sought to bring healing to the aftermath of a horrific tragedy.
“We join the City of Orlando and especially the family of victims in sincere prayer and acts of support in the aftermath of this violence and senseless massacre,” Suzii Paynter, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, said in statement issued via email Sunday afternoon.
“It is truly beyond reason,” she said. “Precious lives have been ended and more than 100 families are today horrified by death and injury.”
Prayers and words for healing were coming in from around the denominational and religious spectrum Sunday.
Others responded as well. Baptist News Global collected a random sampling of statements from organizations and individuals from web and social media sites.
American Baptist Churches USA
American Baptist leaders called on communities of faith to overcome hatred and violence with God’s love.
“We express solidarity with all those who are seeking understanding consolation and healing,” said Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. “As fellow citizens and as a community of faith, we pray to God for grace and strength for all who suffer the anguish, pain and grief that attends these unspeakable horrors. We pray for grace and strength to reject hatred and violence in all forms, as we call upon ourselves to bring the power of God’s love to bear in overcoming the evil, inhumanity and incivility so rampant in our world today.”
Susan Gillies, ABCUSA interim general secretary, said, “It’s hard, at a time like this, to say ‘love conquers all,’ for in our day, it just doesn’t seem to be true. Perhaps it doesn’t seem true because the power of love hasn’t really been unleashed lately. I’m talking about the power of love inside me and you. We’ve settled for a comfortable faith, and, when we do that, we are unable to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Lord, forgive us. Thank you for those stepping forward to help and heal. May we, like they, become love.”
Michael Usey, senior pastor at College Park Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C.
Usey, whose church has long been a welcoming and affirming congregation, took to social media to urge action on Sunday. He posted notice of a vigil for victims, peace and understanding at 7 p.m. Sunday night in downtown Greensboro. His comment was simple:
“Tonight.”
Melissa Browning, assistant professor of contextual ministry at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta.
Browning, who is a leader in the anti death penalty movement in Georgia, shared a meme on her Facebook page Sunday afternoon originally created by Reconciling Ministries Network. Showing a rainbow-colored Orlando skyline, the message called:
“For an end to violence against lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer people, O God, hear our prayer.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Washington D.C.
CAIR and its Florida chapter joined Muslim and interfaith leaders Sunday to condemn the night club shootings and offered condolences to the loves ones of the dead and wounded.
Alan Sherouse, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C.
Around mid-afternoon Sunday, Sherouse posted a National Public Radio article about the shootings – along with this comment.
“Reflecting on what it means to leave church and then encounter this tragic news. How I hope that what we did in the first place might have something to say to the second. Otherwise, I can hear the prophet: ‘I take no delight in your solemn assemblies… let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.’”
Nell Green, the strategic catalyst for Muslim internationals and the Internationals Ministry Network coordinator for CBF.
Green told BNG she had learned of the Orlando massacre before arriving at South Main Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. The pastor quoted verses from the gospels that brought it home for Green, who later paraphrased it with friends on social media:
“Worry reacts. Faith responds. Steve Wells on Matthew 6.”
Ruth Jensen-Forbell, the senior pastor of First Coast Metropolitan Community Church in St. Augustine, Fla.
Jensen-Forbell was busy on Facebook Sunday reaching out to her mostly LGBT congregation. She posted links to several vigils in the area – including one at her church.
“We will pray for and in support of our community,” Jensen-Forbell wrote late Sunday morning. “Share this and invite others. Let us ALL stand together in support of OUR community.”
