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Reclaimed Property
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When a violent act happens in a community, there are often far-reaching effects. A group in Tacoma, Washington is working to help neighbors deal with the memories and pain of incidents by performing what they call “Moments of Blessing.” The ceremonies are meant to help people reclaim property in a spiritual sense. Kim Riemland has the story. |
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SCRIPT:
This tidy white house, with the flag out front, used to be a place where a family lived.
But one horrible night, it became a place where a woman died, and her 8-year-old son almost did. The father and husband was arrested for stabbing them both.
The Rev. Julia Price: “We come together this day to reclaim this space of death as a place of life.”
Members of a group called “Associated Ministries” visit the sites of recent homicides for what they call a “moment of blessing.”
Although they acknowledge each homicide victim with a red ribbon and with words, the ceremony focuses on blessing the place.
Natsound: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
From neighbors who knew the family, to a local police officer who didn’t … anyone who is touched by the tragedy is welcome.
The Rev. Julia Price: “Come, Spirit, and redeem this place and people from the violence and death that has occurred here. Return it as a safe place – a place of community, a place of life, a place of hope. Amen.”
United Methodist pastor Julia Price hopes this home won’t always be seen as a place where something awful happened.
The Rev. Julia Price: “I look at it and realize that perhaps someday there will be another family that lives here. That may be difficult to have it happen very soon, but I would hope that eventually that can happen and that this can be the beginning of the healing that makes that possible.”
The Rev. Julia Price: “Let us go in peace. Thanks be to God. Amen.”
In Tacoma, Washington, I’m Kim Riemland reporting.
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Tacoma has been having “Moments of Blessing” for three years. Other cities like Indianapolis and Rochester also have a program like this. Organizers say the “Moments” can draw anywhere from one to 350 people.
For more information about the program, contact Associated Ministries of Tacoma, at 253-383-3056 or check their Web site at: http://www.associatedministries.org/.
Also see: Ministry blesses murder scenes to reclaim spaces from violence.