Vigil Against Violence

After the recent murder of 11 individuals in the synagogue in Pittsburgh, a local church organized a vigil to stand against violence...not just this incident but the vast numbers of others that are becoming norm.  Camden and I joined in the march.

We met at our downtown plaza for a few brief comments about the power of a march. 

Then we all walked in silence through downtown Crawfordsville in reflection, prayer, memory, honor, protest.  There were 11 placards with the names of the Pittsburgh victims on them.  Camden carried one of those.  I gave the small sign she wanted made ("Stop the Hate") to another young boy and I carried a sign that said, "Love Wins.  Every Single Time."

We marched to US 231 and down a few blocks, then turned back toward the Lane Place where we stopped for a small service.

Several residence spoke, scripture was read, and the names of those lost were read and a hand bell tolled for each.  To conclude a professor from Wabash College shared about how this affected him as a Jew.  He noted that there are over 100 churches in Montgomery County, but no Jewish Synagogue.  He had no one to sit in mourning with.  He felt so alone...that this vigil was vital.  He read a prayer of mourning in Aramaic and when he concluded the bells of the large downtown church rang 11 times.  This was one of the most powerful, moving services I have ever attended. 

It's such a small thing, but it is important that we do something.  Good people must speak, march, work toward good.  I want Camden to know that.