Waterbury Republican-American - Vigil: 'Hate cannot stand'

News Article

By Andrew Larson

The messages of healing and forgiveness rang throughout the Rehoboth Apostolic Church on Saturday night during a vigil for the nine victims of a church shooting in Charleston, S.C.

More than 100 people attended the vigil, which brought together parishioners of multiple denominations, black and white. The service, led by the Concerned Black Clergy Council of Waterbury, was mostly upbeat, with pastors urging people to remember the goodness of God conquers evil.

The Rev. Pamela Hughes' rendition of "There's a Bright Side Somewhere" brought parishioners out of their seats, clapping, singing and stomping their feet.

"Tonight we come together to lift up and love because hate cannot stand," said the Rev. Rodney Wade, vice president of the Concerned Black Clergy Council. "It is only love that can drive away hate and drive away the darkness."

The Wednesday night shooting at Charleston's the Emanuel A.M.E. Church sent shock waves through Waterbury's black community. The shooter, who was white, killed nine congregants, all of them black, including the pastor.

"One thing us black folk count on is the church," said the Rev. Lydell Brown, president of the Concerned Black Clergy Council. "The reason this hurts so much is someone came into a place we love dearly and hurt us deeply while at prayer."

Brown said the vigil was meant to show solidarity with the victims in Charleston and to help people here recover from an attack that felt personal to many.

Brown urged people to forgive -- not the shooter's actions -- but to dispel any feelings of anger and let themselves heal.

"Hate can't cast out hate," Brown said. "Only love and forgiveness can."

Richard Wood of the Waterbury NAACP grew up in the South and said racial tension is stronger there.

"Part of it is ingrained and something that only time will dissipate," he said.

But the murder of innocent people in the most sacred setting is a reminder that tragedy can strike where it's least expected.

"It could happen anywhere," Wood said. "There are abnormalities with people everywhere."

Several people brought up the need for society to deal with racism and mental health.

"There's a time this country has to talk about racism and mental health," Brown said. "But tonight we're going to let God know we're a threat to the devil's kingdom."

Monroe Webster, representing Mayor Neil M. O'Leary's office, urged the community to come together as one.

"We have to be proactive, no reactive," he said. "We have to be more proactive so things like this can be prevented."

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth H. Esty, D-5th District, spoke about the need to prevent such tragedies, saying it starts with children.

"We must lift up all young men and women and give them hope and let them know they're loved," Esty said.

She said it's hard to imagine what happened in that Charleston church -- and hard to believe that what happened is real.

"And yet it is and it's up to us to stop it," Esty said.

The Rev. Daniel Edwards, of Foundation for Life Ministary, spoke of unity -- not just in overcoming evil and advocating change -- but between the races.

"I believe we can be no longer be segregated on Sundays," Edwards said. "I believe we can be united as one."

Source