Isaiah 65:19: I will rejoice in Jerusalem and delight in my people; No more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress.

Luke 4:18: When [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Cornel West, a great American theologian and philosopher and professor of religion at Princeton University: "You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you don't serve the people."

A headline in The Boston Globe from last June reads "Teen dies in park stabbing." The article goes on to describe how Devon Hodo, a 16 year old sophomore from Taunton High School was stabbed to death at Memorial Park at 1:14 a.m. on June 8. He was taken to Morton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Five other people were injured in the attack from knife wounds or head injuries. The article implied that Devon Hodo was part of a local gang and the fight was between rival Taunton and Brockton gangs.

Others who knew Devon say he wasn't a hardened gang member, just a teen who had gotten into a bit of trouble as many teens do. Devon's obituary read, "He enjoyed playing basketball, listening to music, going to the YMCA , playing on the computer, and spending time with his friends." I think it's so sad that his passing was not noted with another article, perhaps including the family who mourned him and the friends who loved and missed him. Devon was buried September 14, the same day as a local hero, 22 year old Sargeant Shane Duffy, who was killed in Tikrit. Shane's funeral was marked by a large downtown parade, as I'm sure some of you remember, and wonderful, extensive press coverage. What an ironic contrast between the hero and the gang member. I don't begrudge Sargent Duffy or his family, friends and veterans the honors given him. But I wish the Taunton community would have noted and mourned the passing of Devon Hodo a bit more.

I've noticed that whenever there are stories about youth violence, the public has strong reactions. I've read comments on-line, some filled with sadness and regret for all involved. But some are simplistic and hateful. They might condemn the youth, calling them scum... or worse. They say something like "these kids get what they deserve." Or they condemn the parents: "How could they not know what their kids were up to? Why can't they control them? Are they off getting high themselves?" Or they denounce a permissive and liberal juvenile justice system. Or inept cops. Or the welfare system.

What do you think and how do you feel about Devon Hodo's tragic death? How do we deal with this and other young lives lost... to death or to drugs or to prison? How, on this U.N. International Day of Peace, can we talk about building greater peace in our community?

Over this summer, I finally got around to reading that long history of Taunton by Dr. William Hanna that came out last year. It helped me understand this city a little better and how it developed since 1637. It helped me appreciate the history of the various groups who came to live and work and raise their families here. We have as diverse a population as you'll see anywhere in New England. Most are just good, honest and hard working people.

Yet we all know that Taunton is struggling economically. It is struggling with crime, drugs and incidents of youth violence. Luckily, there does not seem to be the presence of organized gangs as there are in Brockton, Fall River and New Bedford. At least not now. Not since the Outlaws Motorcycle Club on School Street was broken up and 25 members were arrested in July of last year. And we should remember that these were mainly adults, hardened criminals, not teens.

But as Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgdon said at a gang violence conference in May, for years communities historically not plagued by gangs are slowly discovering they, too, have to deal with some form of gang violence. "The thing with gangs," he said, "is that they migrate into other communities when the law picks up. Their activity then spills over into communities that are not as vigilant with gang violence." Sheriff Hodgdon concluded, "It is a real community issue, not just an issue for...law enforcement. ... We can't just keep throwing people in jail."

Taunton is struggling as state aid for essential programs is level or decreases. It is not alone. All public services which receive state aid are hit. The city is struggling to educate all its children and youth. It struggles with the burden of teaching kids for the high-stakes MCAS tests. These tests are tough enough to discourage high school students who are weak academically and who therefore drop out before graduation. And there's a great disparity between the performance of teens from different economic, racial and ethnic groups. And between children who come from intact homes and those who don't. Despite Governor Patrick's commitment to expanding opportunities for early childhood education, we also face a potentially even larger drop in state revenues and local aid. These aren't easy times!

On the other hand, I say "Take heart!" There is also much that is good about this city... and much to hope for. There are many people here who are willing to work for the good of the community over the long haul. In Cornel West's words, "You can't save the people if you don't serve the people." There are many who serve as teachers, social workers and other paid professionals... and as volunteers for the service agencies and programs, particularly for youth.

Here's one shining example. In the Taunton Daily Gazette yesterday, there was an article about Shannon Smith, that 15 year old who has volunteered since fifth grade when she participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. That year her small group of youngsters of various ages raised over $8,000 for the society. For this work, Shannon received a Kohn's "Kids Who Care Scholarship." Since then she's gone on to do marvelous things. As a diabetic herself, she became a youth leader for the American Diabetes Association. And she has donated her time to New Hope, a battered women's shelter. She visited the shelter on weekends to do activities with the resident children. These are children who, with their mothers, were forced to leave abusive situations.

Cornel West also said, "You can't lead the people if you don't love the people." These leaders who love are the visionaries, the inspirational ones, who are willing to take risks for the sake of love. They are the ones who will stand up and speak out. They may not claim they're anointed by God, as did Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. But they are willing to say, as Jesus did, that they "bring good news to the poor... to proclaim release to the captives." They are the ones filled with passion. Among those leaders is Annemarie Matulis, the co- founder and Chairperson of Southeastern Massachusetts Voices Against Violence. Her commitment to her vision of a world without violence is unwavering. She's a cheerleader when even some of her supporters doubt and lose hope.

Yes, we need more builders of peace in Taunton. A year ago members of the Greater Taunton Clergy Association did a survey around the city of what were the top concerns of Taunton residents. They asked what affected the quality of life in the city. And what programs people would like to see the clergy association provide. The survey showed that the greatest concern for 35% of the people was drugs and drug abuse. Tied for second place were homelessness and neighborhood violence... at 27%. 18 to 25 year olds saw drugs and drug abuse as the primary issue. 26 to 55 year olds saw violence as primary. Those over 56 years, saw homelessness as the primary concern.

What about solutions? The top answer by far, over two-thirds, was a community center and after school programs for teens. Simple, old-fashioned prevention - "keeping kids off the streets." Is that surprising to anyone here? As Rev. Lenny Nelson wrote in his analysis, "It's interesting to note that while drugs/drug abuse is the overall primary concern for Taunton residents, anti-drug programs were rarely mentioned as a solution. Instead, the overwhelming suggestion is seen as the need for an afterschool community center for teens. Even those who noted violence as their primary concern, the community center is seen as the solution because the perception is that teens with nothing to do or nowhere to go are primarily responsible for the violence."

Many teens themselves, in other gatherings, have confirmed this. In a Kitchen Table Workshop last June run by SEMA-VAV and the Greater Taunton Health and Human Services Coalition, teens said that programs and adult-supervised activities for 14 to 18 year olds were meager. They said safety was a big issue for them. Lighting in the parks after dark. Buses to go from school to after school activities or to jobs. Places to hang out that were safe and clean, where they needn't fear violence or drug activities.

Another meeting, also organized by Voices Against Violence and the Health and Human Services Coalition was held here at First Parish Church in August. You may have read about it in the paper or in the fall newsletter of this church. One of you was there. The adults and teens around the room agreed that although there are a lot of programs for the younger children, but that there needs to be more resources for teens. And more cooperation and coordination among schools, law enforcement, the courts, social workers and clergy. How do we get these kids to not just stay out of trouble, but to succeed? It is, indeed, a real community issue, not just an issue for law enforcement

I know it's really complicated. There's no one, simple cause. And it will take a lot of love and service to turn some of these at-risk kids around. There's not just one way to go. But there are models out there; sound and effective models.

One model is being talked about by the Greater Taunton Clergy Association and the Health and Human Service Coalition. It's called the Clergy Ride-Along program, which has been successful in tough neighborhoods of Boston and New Bedford. In the program, trained clergy accompany police when they visit at-risk teens in their homes. Initial visits are done to inform the parents about their children's activities. And to search for guns, knives and drugs. Often the team finds that the parents are totally unaware of what's been going on. Once they know, most parents agree to monitor their children more closely, to keep stricter control. The visiting team of cop and clergy offers referrals to counseling and tutoring to keep the kids in school and out of trouble. Follow-up is done... either by notes or a second home visit... to make sure it's all happening.

My UU colleague in Fairhaven, the Rev. Ann Fox, is taking part in this program and finds it an awesome experience. The Taunton clergy group will be hearing more about the Clergy Ride-Along program at its meeting in October. We'll hear directly from Rev. David Lima of the New Bedford Inter-Church Council. I admit that I'm not sure I could personally commit to taking part in the ride-along program myself. I'm not sure if I have the time and energy, being so busy with this church. But I'd like to know more.

The program in New Bedford has been going on for three years and is funded by a program called the Shannon Anti-Gang Grant Initiative. This is the $13 million anti-crime plan, now in its third year, which combats youth violence across Massachusetts by putting more police on the streets and offering a multitude of outreach programs.

One other program envisioned by community leaders, including Ms Matulis, is an honest-to-goodness teen center. A real center with a permanent building. A place to put up a sign saying WELCOME! A sign which says this is a safe place to come after school, to play sports, to create art and music, to do your homework. A place where adults or older peers who care about you will be there to mentor and tutor you. After years of dreaming, there is hope here that this might actually happen.

The Greater Taunton Health and Human Services Coalition are applying for Shannon funding for this center, along with funding for the Clergy Ride-Along Program. The state budget may be a bit shaky this year, but if the city got this grant this year or next, I think we could all celebrate.

In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "I will rejoice in Jerusalem and delight in my people; No more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress." Do I hear an "Amen?"

Now, in the memory of 16 year old Devon Hodo and the many who suffer from violence both here and in other communities, and in honor of this U.N. International Day of Peace, I ask what your ideas are for peace building in this city of Taunton.

[Jill Bochman and Kathy Ward both came forward to share their ideas with the congregation.]