\u00ab\u00a0…it is not just us that are suffering.\u00a0\u00bb<\/b>
\nOnly a week after a deadly shooting claimed the lives of 26 of its members, the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, is opening its doors again.
A statement on the church’s website credited \u201cgenerous volunteer efforts\u201d and offers from people to help for enabling it to take \u201cthe scene of this unspeakable event,\u201d and turn it into \u201ca beautiful memorial that celebrates and pays tribute to the lives that were lost.\u201d
While the congregation suffered a massive loss, its leadership has repeatedly recognized that the devastation is far from confined to one Texas town.
\u201cThis is our church, but it is not just us that are suffering,\u201d Associate Pastor Mark Collins said on the website. \u201cThis tragedy has rocked our nation and has had an impact on all Americans and our country as a whole. It is our hope that this will be healing for everyone.\u201d
On Sunday, the memorial will open for a media tour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and then will be open to the public at 5 p.m. In the future, it will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The church asked that all visitors \u201crespect the sanctity of the church, the memory of those who perished there, and the families and community members continuing their own ways and processes toward healing.\u201d
It’s unclear if the memorial will be a permanent installment.<\/p>\n

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