Listen to Pastor Phil’s Story

“What happens after an attack like this? What do we do in the midst of trauma? How do we respond to this level of hatred, sin, and evil?”

- Pastor Phil Woodson

Phil Woodson 

My name is Phil Woodson and on August 13th, 2017, I was the Associate Pastor for Outreach and Witness at First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. After the horrific events of August 11th and 12th, constant phone calls, messages and emails were being sent between clergy, community group leaders, and other individuals. Everyone was trying to figure out what was next. Would we worship? Would there be a vigil somewhere? Where would people gather? Where could we meet? Was it safe? Where would the police be? Where would the neo-Nazis and white supremacists gather? We knew they were still around. We saw them in the parks and on the downtown mall. We heard their trucks revving up from blocks away. What happens after an attack like this? What do we do in the midst of trauma? How do we respond to this level of hatred, sin, and evil? In those messages with the various community and clergy leaders who had bravely and powerfully resisted waves of violence? I learned that there would eventually be a small gathering on Fourth Street at the spot where Heather Heyer was murdered and where so many others were horrifically injured. I connected with Rabbi Rachel Smolkin and the Reverend Robert Lewis both pictured with me in holding hands, two of the most faithful and loving people I know. We had been together with one another throughout the past few months in ministry together, prayer together, advocacy together. We trusted and loved one another and still do. And that summer, we were advocates for God's goodness and hopefully symbols of God's presence. We were witnesses to great violence and prophets of divine justice. We arrived on Fourth Street together with no idea of what would happen or how this gathering would unfold. We simply wanted to be present, to be with people. It's part of our spiritual and theological callings, what we do, it's a part of who we are. We walk with people through moments of great pain and great sadness. We were simply there to be. I don't really remember too much about who said what, but I remember many clergy and community leaders speaking. I remember all the microphones and news cameras. I remember that I offered a brief prayer over those who had gathered. And then Rabbi Rachael started singing. That's what's happening here. In a place of death, separation and pain, people had gathered together to pray, to reconnect, to reaffirm a commitment to the good and holy work of literally holding on to one another and to singing songs of hope. 

Music credit: DEX 1200 / Faith in You / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com