June 16, 2016 at 8:14 a.m.
Rhinelander church holds prayer service for victims of Orlando shooting
Rhinelander church holds prayer service for victims of Orlando shooting
By Kayla Thomason-
"It's part of how I respond to national tragedies," said Rev. Ellen Rasmussen, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Rhinelander. "I know I'm new to the Rhinelander area but it's a part of my calling as a pastor in the United Methodist Church."
Rasmussen wore a rainbow-colored stole for the occasion. To begin the service she lit two tall Sunday candles which stood on either side of a bouquet of flowers comprised of various colors and one white lily to represent Christ.
In front of the flowers there were colored candles that represented the LGBT flag, and in front of those were tea candles representing those who lost their lives.
A number of hymns were sung throughout the ceremony such as "Gather Us In," "Healer of Our Every Ill" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." Along with the candle-lighting, bells were rung.
"I think it's important for all of us," Rasmussen said. "This isn't just about the LGBT community, this is about all of us, this is an attack on humanity. The attack in a gay nightclub was a violation of sacred space, it's where people could gather and feel safe and fellowship together and so this was an intentional attack. Over 100 people were injured or murdered by one person and we have got to do something together to change the situation."
Marty Callies said she felt "total devastation" when she heard about the shooting.
"It's very important to the community, very important to the gay and lesbian community also (that this service was available)," she said.
"It's nice that they are appreciating the fact that these young people gave their lives and didn't even know they were going to give their lives that night," she added.
Rasmussen values all lives and believes everyone is loved by God.
"Even in my own denomination some of our teachings I don't agree with," she said. "I do believe God created all and all are loved and cherished by God, but when we marginalize people we make it OK to be harmed and it is never, never OK for violence on another person."
Rasmussen wasn't concerned about how many individuals would come to the service, but felt compelled to host it.
"Regardless of the size of the group that gathers tonight I know that we are sending prayers of love, of hope, of healing into the world and I believe that makes a difference," she said.
The service ended with the hymn "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace."
Omar Mateen, 29, fired on the patrons at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday morning. Forty-nine people were killed and 50 were injured, making this the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.
The victims were Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34, Stanley Almodovar III, 23, Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22, Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36, Luis S. Vielma, 22, Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20, Kimberly Morris, 37, Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30, Darryl Roman Burt II, 29, Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32, Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35, Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50, Amanda Alvear, 25, Martin Benitez Torres, 33, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37, Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26, Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25, Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26, Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31, Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25, Miguel Angel Honorato, 30, Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40, Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19, Cory James Connell, 21, Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37, Luis Daniel Conde, 39, Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32, Frank Hernandez, 27, Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33, Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49, Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28, Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25, Akyra Monet Murray, 18, Paul Terrell Henry, 41, Antonio Davon Brown, 29, Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24, Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21, Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33, Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25, Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24, Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32, Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25, Jerald Arthur Wright, 31, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25, and Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, 27.
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla@rivernews online.com.
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