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Sandy Hook Memorial Tent to Close

Calvary Chapel Southbury regrets to announce that the Memorial Tent that they have been operating in Newtown will be closing on Sunday.

February 5, 2013, NEWTOWN, CT– Calvary Chapel Southbury regrets to announce that the Memorial Tent that they have been operating in Newtown on Church Hill Road (right off of exit 10) since shortly after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School will be closing on Sunday, February 10.  If you would like to visit the tent and have not had a chance yet, please come on by before 6:00 PM on Sunday.

It has been an honor to serve the community during this time of grief and to do our part to listen and offer whatever comfort we are able to those who were affected by this tragedy.

If you or anyone you know is still in need of grief counseling, etc., please contact the church at calvary@calvarysouthbury.com or 203.267.5441. 

Randy Pineau February 7, 2013 at 03:25 am
It's wonderful what they have done. I only hope it is their choice to pack up and close shop. I had heard rumors that the town was putting pressure on them to leave.
Barbara Colber February 7, 2013 at 04:57 pm
I agree. There are some people in Newtown that just want everyone to go away.
Sometimes a few have power. These people don't understand the outpouring of love that has come to Newtown through these memorials, etc. It has been a great help to most of us and for people around the world who want to send their love and pay respect. I for one am very graeful for the love and time these people have offered. In Peace and Love.
Sam Mihailoff February 7, 2013 at 05:43 pm
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Unfortunately, these sincere people were FORCED OUT I am definitely no religious freak, actually I despise the hypocrisy of most organized religions...one could sit in silence, or talk if he/she chose. I’ll say one thing for certain, it was a most uplifting experience. Shame on Benson and the town’s political machine for ordering the ouster.
Vera Karger February 7, 2013 at 05:53 pm
Would you cite your information source, please? Thanks.
Sam Mihailoff February 7, 2013 at 06:16 pm
Channel 8 interview with Benson
Vera Karger February 7, 2013 at 06:21 pm
Thank you.
Big Boy February 8, 2013 at 03:13 pm
Had a similar experience while talking to an out of town reporter myself. We were there for the one week memorial of the incident and spoke to reporter after the ringing of the church bells when a rude person walking by yelled "go home" during the interview.
Cindy Miller February 14, 2013 at 02:44 am
I had the pleasure of spending time in the memorial tent. I have witnessed many others who have found solace visiting this tent. Why would you want this to end? The tent should not be taken down but remain as a spot for people to go to and talk. There aren't any other areas that have been set up offering such an environment Spiritually that you can pull in and find people there who are willing to simply listen even pray with you. This tent was a testament and a positive place. This is a necessity and should be kept at all costs.
Mary_Sam February 14, 2013 at 05:25 am
You "had the pleasure of spending time in the memorial tent"?
Pleasure? That's not a word that generally comes up when I think of a memorial.
Jimmyhat February 14, 2013 at 10:48 am
Well thank god its finaly gone. Yes it was nice but at some point a traveling truckstop tent on the side of the road has to go. What was the guys motivatiation? where did all the money go? why would an out of town chaplin spend all day in a tent by the side of the road....I smell MONEY
Ed Smith February 14, 2013 at 01:41 pm
Actually Occupy Wall Street was a secular version of the tent where one could go and be listened to and, if not prayed with, at least welcomed.
Ed Smith February 14, 2013 at 01:44 pm
I doubt the motive was money. No doubt one might see a self-promoting element in a church making an outpost in a time and place of extraordinary anguish, but I don't see it that way. Too much time and effort and emotional investment was given by these people to place a cynical motive on them. Their form of comfort may not appeal to every soul, but they gave what they had to those who might take comfort from it. We need a lot more of that generosity and community in our world.
Sam Mihailoff February 14, 2013 at 03:15 pm
So, the now vacant lot next to the dilapited CLOSED Shell station is far more calming and soothing than the memorial tent, right??? I SAY NO IT IS NOT
Heather Eberlin February 15, 2013 at 06:52 am
Cindy, I wish that we could have kept it open longer. The town of Newtown has rules on how long a temporary structure like this can be kept up and we exceeded that time frame, so they asked us to take it down.
If you know anyone that needs grief counseling, we offer that free of charge at our church in Southbury. We also have a lot of opportunities for fellowship - including a small Bible study group that is beginning tomorrow evening in Sandy Hook. God bless you.

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