Youth attending the UCC's National Youth Event in Knoxville, Tenn., found their own ways to remember the families and congregation assaulted by a lone gunman July 27 at nearby Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.

Megan Diesselhorst, of Little River United Church of Christ in Annandale, Va., composed a prayer that called those attending NYE's closing worship to remember the tragedy at the church. The prayer was read during the NYE closing worship service Sunday evening:

"O God of Peace and Love,

"You have been with us on this journey of growth, discovery, and reflection.  We are amazed at the signs that you have given to us to show us the way to a better life of love, creation, and harmony.  We confess that we all have faults, differences, and doubts.  As your children we ask for your forgiveness and guidance to heal our brokenness.  We are entering into a period of mourning for the victims of the shootings this morning at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.  We ask for your comfort and the strength of your love for the victims, the shooter, and their loved ones.  As a generation that has been confronted by 9/11, the shootings at others schools and colleges, as well as war, we trust in your power and wisdom to lead us to create a world of peace and wholeness.  We leave here inspired, and ready to love.  In your name we pray.  Amen."

The prayer was followed by the lighting of a candle, and then silence.

The National Youth Event is being held at the University of Tennessee, just blocks from the Unitarian Church. On campus is a large rock upon which messages are painted frequently by students. Prior to the worship service, UCC youth from California, at their own initiative, bought paint and covered the rock with a message of care and solidarity for the congregation. A photo of the newly-painted rock served as the backdrop on the large screen in the plenary hall during the closing worship communion service.