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By The Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry
Founder and Moderator, UFMCC
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Roanoke, Virginia--On Wednesday evening, the Rev. Catherine Houchins and
three members of MCC of the Blue Ridge (Roanoke, Virginia) were attacked following
evening church services.
As Pastor Houchins was closing the church, three skinheads attacked and beat
two of the church members who were on the street outside the church, The
attackers screamed "faggots" and other anti-gay slurs during the attack. They
also assaulted a third member. |
 The Rev. Catherine Houchins |
Pastor Houchins was also attacked and hit in the face by the attackers.
She reports that she and the MCC members are shaken, but okay. The police
have been cooperative, but no one has yet been arrested in the attack.
Pastor Houchins also reports that today (Friday), the NAACP in Roanoke held a
press conference to express their solidarity with the gay community and with
MCC of the Blue Ridge in the face of this anti-gay hate crime. Pastor
Houchins attended and participated in the press conference at the invitation
of the NAACP.
The full story of the attack appeared in the Friday edition of The Roanoke Times.
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Pastor Houchins reports that the congregation is strong and united in the
face of this attack, that the doors of the church will be open on Sunday and
the services will continue without interruption.
Please keep this congregation and pastor in your prayers. As I have said so
many times, with all of the hopeful progress we've made over the past 30 plus
years, incidents such as this are powerful reminders that we still have much
work and ministry to do to bring understanding, acceptance and reconciliation
to our society.
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Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
One Dead, Six Wounded in a Roanoke, Virginia Gay Bar
Senator Warner Softens Opposition to Hates Crime Bill
GayToday's Hate Crimes Series
Related Sites:
MCC Blue Ridge
GayToday does not endorse related sites.
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Also, please allow me to share a pastoral word: After more than 30 years of
UFMCC ministry, I know how distressing and unsettling this type of news can
be. I encourage each of us to draw strength from our faith in the face of
these events.
You may send messages with your prayers and encouragement to Pastor Houchins
and the congregation of MCC of the Blue Ridge by e-mail at
MCCBlueRidge@aol.com
The Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry
Founder and Moderator
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
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