The congregation, which numbers about 180, has many ties to the university and the community. Jason is himself a native of Wyoming and a graduate of its university. He went to seminary in Chicago and served a church there before returning to Laramie. The church has invested heavily in children's, youth, student, and family programs, with some success. As might be expected in a college community, the controversial issues of the PCUSA have not caused a great deal of turmoil in this congregation. Nonetheless, some older and previously loyal members have withdrawn their support. Even so, this church seems vital.
The dark experience concerned the legacy of Matthew Shepard. Jason was a student at the University when the murder occurred. Like everyone, he was horrified. Still, he reported, many people in Wyoming and in Laramie especially felt that the press reports portrayed an essentially negative view of the entire community. As someone who lived in Alabama during the civil rights struggle, I understand that feeling of protectiveness - the dismay of feeling that your whole community has been blamed for the actions that, while disgraceful, did not characterize the whole community. At the suggestion of a friend, I tried to find the lonely spot where Shepard was killed - where he was left to die. It is hard to do. Still , with some computer research, I did locate it. What was mainly barren territory in 1998 is now partially suburbanized. The precise spot carries no monument. The fence has been taken away. Very nice homes are now visible in the area. Homeowners are understandably reluctant to have the site become a site of pilgrimage. Still, this is where it happened, and the feeling of darkness can not be ignored..There is a memorial bench for Matthew on the campus of the university.
"He continues to make a difference. Peace be with him..." Indeed, he does. Thanks for this.
ReplyDelete