The Good News: Memorial Hosts Community Vigil with Local Congregations

As an act of collective pastoral care for our community, a group of local pastors offered a time of vigil and prayer Thursday night. Around 250 people gathered peacefully on the steps of Memorial to recognize their shared hurt by praying, singing, and finding comfort together.

The vigil was led by clergy from Memorial, First Presbyterian Church, New Vision United Church of Christ, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Greater Fernandina Beach Church of God, and chaplains from Baptist Nassau and Community Hospice, and supported by the clergy of Trinity United Methodist Church and St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church.

Fr. Eric, from St. Michael’s, was unavailable to attend in person, and sent over a greeting along with words that were shared from a recent message given by Archbishop Coakley, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:  "Let us pray for reconciliation where there is division, for justice where there are violations of fundamental rights, and for consolation for all who feel overwhelmed by fear or loss." 

As a welcome and reminder of the purpose of the gathering, Pastor Charlie said,” We are not here in protest. There are times and places for that. We are here to hold one another up in our collective sadness, concern, and frustration, and to stand alongside our brothers and sisters across the nation and world.” Then, referencing Genesis 4:9, he offered,” We too are asked this question, ‘Am I really my brother’s keeper?’ Yes, you are your brother’s keeper. To be human means to care for one another – brothers and sisters alike.”

Rev. Dawn, from First Presbyterian, lifted up areas of shared concern in her prayers with the people, “for places throughout our world that are steeped in conflict: Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo. And also, for our own nation, especially the city of Minneapolis tonight. We lift these places up before you. Your people cry, ‘How long, O Lord?’ “

The candlelight vigil ended with the gathered singing “Amazing Grace” and carrying their lights with them into the darkness.