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Health & Fitness

An Open Letter to the Global Sikh Faith Communities

Southington Interfaith Community prayerfully supports and stands with the Sikh faith community of Southington and the Sikh communities in Oak Creek Wisconsin, nationally and globally.

An Open Letter to the Southington Community from the Southington Interfaith Clergy Association:

Dear Southington Community Friends and Neighbors,

The members of the Southington Interfaith Clergy Association wish to stand publicly with the members of the Sikh community, both here and Wisconsin, in the aftermath of the senseless violence and the tragic and unwarranted loss of innocent lives at the Oak Creek, Wisconsin temple on Sunday, Aug. 5. 

Once again, ignorance and hatred has reared its ugly head, and all of us feel the sting of sadness and grief at this sign of brokenness. Violence done to one part of our community diminishes us all.

As people of faith, we grieve with those who have lost loved ones, and we pray for the Sikh community at large, and for our Sikh neighbors here in Southington. We are grateful for the rapid response and sacrifice of the Oak Creek police officers. We recognize the devastation that these acts of violence cause. We pray that understanding, forgiveness, and love may overcome the hate in our communities, and we seek to be agents of that love in our lives.

The candlelight vigil on Friday evening, Aug. 10, at 7:30 pm, in sympathy and support for the Sikh community - locally and in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, nationally and worldwide - will be held at the , the Sikh temple at 1610 West Street. The Sikh community has extended an invitation to all, and the Interfaith Clergy Association encourages and supports this evening of inter-religious human solidarity. All are welcome; your presence will be deeply appreciated. 

Signed by following members of the Southington Interfaith Clergy Association:

  • Rev. Suzannah Rohmann, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Association President
  • Rev. Jerrie Shepard Matney, Pastor, First Baptist Church
  • Rev. Ron Brown, Pastor, First Congregational UCC
  • Rev. Dawn Karlson, Minister, First Congregational UCC
  • Rabbi Shelley Kovar Becker, Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation     
  • Ed Rosenblatt, Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation
  • Rev. Carol Downs, Pastor, Grace United Methodist Church
  • Rev. Richard A. Koenig, Pastor, Plantsville Congregational UCC
  • Fr. Ronald P. May, Pastor, Church of St. Dominic, RC
  • Rev. Victoria Triano, Congregation at Southington Care Center
  • Rev. James Debner, Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church
  • John Myers & Mr. Tony Palmieri, Director and Assoc Director, YMCA
  • Eldon Hafford, Executive Director, Bread for Life
  • Janet Mellon, Director, Southington Community Services
  • E. Richard Fortunato, Media Communications Coordinator, Southington Interfaith Clergy Association.

August, 8, 2012

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