NH Clergy: We Condemn the Violence in Orlando, Unequivocally

PORTSMOUTH, NH - The Ministerium - Seacoast Interfaith Clergy release the following statement on June 13, 2016, in the wake of the Orlando terrorist attack.  

With sadness in our hearts and tears in our eyes, we come together to address another senseless act of violence. 

On Sunday morning, the nation woke to headlines of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando. Over the course of the day, we learned that a gunman murdered 50 people and injured 53 others in the deadliest shooting spree in our country's history. Our president has called this attack “an act of terror and an act of hate,"

The Ministerium - Seacoast Interfaith Clergy Association - condemns this violence unequivocally, with one voice. We mourn the lives lost and we express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We send our wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who have been injured.

Our membership includes clergy of different traditions with varied theological perspectives on homosexuality and gender identity. We are united in our conviction that there is no legitimate religious belief, political conviction, or ideology that condones this heinous attack on innocents.

We call upon all people of faith to engage in acts of love and kindness. Members of our clergy group will be donating at local blood drives to express our solidarity with the victims of the Orlando attack. You are invited to join us in this act of solidarity. Local blood drives are scheduled at locations throughout the seacoast. 

To locate a drive near you please visit redcrossblood.org.

May our religious convictions help us understand that we show the ultimate respect for God when we respect each other.

Ministerium - Seacoast Interfaith Clergy Association

Reverend  Fr. Robert J. Archon

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - Portsmouth

Reverend Chris Dunaway

Middle Street Baptist Church - Portsmouth

Reverend Robert Fellows

Community Congregational Church (UCC), Greenland

Reverend Michele Bagby Allan

United Church of Christ - North Hampton

Reverend Fr. Gary Belliveau

Corpus Christi Parish (RC) - Portsmouth

Reverend Arthur L. Hilson

New Hope Baptist Church - Portsmouth

Imam Mohamed Ibrahim

Islamic Society of the Seacoast Area - Dover

Reverend Susan Ellery

First United Methodist Church - Portsmouth

Reverend Chris Jablonski

South Church (UU) - Portsmouth

Carol Jacques-Dow - Pastoral Associate

Corpus Christi Parish (RC) - Portsmouth

Reverend Phil Johnson

Seventh Day Adventist Church - Portsmouth

Dr Paris Khavari

Baha'i Community

Reverend Rev Carolyn H Keilig

North Church (UCC)  - Portsmouth

Reverend George Koch

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Newington

Reverend Dr. Steven Notis

Pastor, Hampton United Methodist Church

Reverend David 'Chip' Robinson

Christ Episcopal Church - Portsmouth  

Trinity Episcopal Church - Hampton

Reverend Nancy Rockwell

Newington Town Church, UCC.

Rabbi David Ross Senter

Temple Israel - Portsmouth

Reverend  Lauren Smith

South Church (UU) - Portsmouth

Reverend Robert E. Stevens, Jr.

St. John's Episcopal Church - Portsmouth

Chaplain Patrick Testerman

Portsmouth Police Department

Reverend  Anne Williamson

St. John's Episcopal Church - Portsmouth