El Paso Vigil Resources

El Paso Vigil Resources: To Remember and Re-Commit Against Violence

Hold a Vigil to honor lives lost in the nation’s largest mass shooting against immigrants in modern U.S. history.

Find information here.

Vigil Includes:

Dozens of Disciples, including Rev. Terri Hord Owens and RIM’s Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea,, joined Rev. Dr. William Barber in El Paso days ahead of the shooting. (photo above)

Introduction and Call to Remembrance & Re-Commitment to End Violence by Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries Director, providing context of migrant suffering and detention centers in the area surrounding El Paso.

Song, “O God, You Give Us Neighbors,” Lyrics by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. (To the tune of Aurelia 7.6.7.6. D, “The Church’s One Foundation.”) Emphasizes themes of immigrant welcoming.

“Escalation Reflection” by Valeria Bejar, Disciples Immigration Response Specialist. Shares from direct experiences the fears and family separations endured by immigrant neighbors.

Building of Rainbow in Remembrance of Lives Lost and Re-Commitment Against Violence, including images and descriptions of all of all who died in El Paso, with prayer refrain.

Suggested Music During Readings: “Amor Eterno” by Juan Gabriel (Available online. Sung at funerals as a last goodbye, and used extensively in public vigils since the shootings, it ends with a promise that loved ones will one day re-unite.)

Also, go here to: Sign on to and share the “Word to the Church Against Children and Families in Detention”

And go here to: Sign on to and share the Poor People’s Campaign “Pastoral Letter On the El Paso Shootings”

Read Statements of Response to the Shootings from Interfaith Leaders, including Rev. Terri Hord Owens, here.