Pastor Brenda Schall lights a candle for each of the eleven victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue as their names were called out during last night’s Prayer Vigil at Ford Memorial United Methodist Church in Ford City.
Local clergy of the Ford City Ministerium representing Methodist, Lutheran, and Baptist churches offered Old Testament readings and prayers during last night’s Prayer Vigil at Ford Memorial United Methodist Church.
The Vigil was called to spiritually unite during this time of sorrow at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill after a gunman allegedly came into a morning worship service last Saturday and opened fire, killing eleven worshipers.
Last night, a candle was lit for each of the individuals who died in the slaughter.
The tragedy has united various houses of worship throughout western Pennsylvania.
Allegheny Charge of the four local United Methodist Churches Senior pastor Deborah Kociban concluded the service by coming into the congregation, encouraging each of them to hold hands in a spirit of unity for the benediction.
Church leaders gather together with parishioners last night at Ford Memorial United Methodist Church for a Prayer Vigil. From left to right, Pastor Kent Commodore (Second Baptist Church), Pastor Jack Delk (Grace Lutheran Manorville and Emmanuel Lutheran Garretts Run Road), Pastor Dick Grance (Interim Minister at St. John’s Lutheran, Ford City), Pastor Barbara Love (Crooked Creek Cooperative Lutheran Ministries that includes Bethel Lutheran, St. Michaels at Brick Church, and United Lutheran Rockville), Pastor Brenda Schall (Ford Memorial and Manorville United Methodist), and Pastor Deborah Kociban (First United Methodist and Union Avenue Methodist, Kittanning).