Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Addison Uttecht, 9, lights a candle during the Orlando nightclub shooting vigil Wednesday inside First Presbyterian Church in downtown Shawano.
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Janine Brunner lights a candle inside First Presbyterian Church in Shawano during Wednesday’s vigil promoting peace and tolerance after the Orlando mass shooting.
Unthinkable hate and violence in a faraway place brought people together in Shawano on Wednesday with the hope of promoting understanding and peace.
About 40 people gathered inside First Presbyterian Church for a vigil in memory of those lost in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
Representatives of the Shawano gay community joined others to light candles and issue a plea for increased tolerance toward people of different religions, cultures and sexual orientations.
The event came four days after a gunman in Orlando, Florida, opened fire inside a gay nightclub, killing 49 people and wounding about 50 others.
Pastor Susan Phillips of First Presbyterian told those in attendance Wednesday that she was unsure initially how to respond to the tragedy. She urged everyone gathered inside the church to take a deep breath, to look at one another’s faces, and finally to join hands and sing.
“While I’m devastated by the occasion, I’m grateful for your presence,” Phillips said. “Your presence here matters. You matter.”
Participants said they were shaken by the Orlando massacre, and they attended the vigil hoping to find a sense of comfort among their neighbors.
Kim Shubinski said she came “to feel the peace.”
“Those people did not deserve to lose their lives,” she said of the shooting victims. “It just breaks my heart.”
Also in attendance were Shawano Mayor Jeanne Cronce and Police Chief Mark Kohl.
Inside the downtown church, the sanctuary was decorated in rainbow colors symbolizing gay pride. Musical selections and personal messages reinforced the theme of opposing violence by promoting tolerance, especially for those of diverse sexual orientations.
Nick Uttecht told the crowd about the difficulties he has faced since coming out as a gay man. Introducing his children in the audience, Uttecht said they have endured frequent taunting among their peers because their father is gay.
“Just remember that we are part of this community,” he added. “We are a family just like you.”
Such testimonials elicited applause and calls of “thank you” from others at the vigil.
The hourlong event ended with participants joining hands in a circle and singing a rousing chorus of the gospel hymn “This Little Light of Mine.”
The Rev. Marty Black from neighboring Peace United Church of Christ called the Orlando massacre “a hate crime.” She urged those in attendance not to let their anger about the tragedy dictate how they respond.
“Hate cannot drive out hate,” she said. “Only love can do that.”