West End prays for peace
Community members gathered Wednesday in West Washington United Methodist Church to pray for an end to violence in the city’s West End. From left are Jean Anthony, Retta Mills, an unidentified woman, Bonnie Diamond, Donna Falvo and Judy Humphreys.
The Rev. Ross Pryor led the prayer service Wednesday against violence in the West End. Ross asked the community to pray both for victims and criminals.
Among those who attended the prayer service were Washington residents Jean Anthony, Retta Mills and Bonnie Diamond. Diamond lives on Fayette Street, the site of two recent shootings.
West Washington United Methodist Church members Donna Falvo, left, and Judy Humphreys attended the Prayers Against Violence healing service Wednesday.
The Rev. Ross Pryor asks for a moment of silence for prayer and meditation during the healing service Wednesday at West Washington United Methodist Church.
Community members held a prayer service Wednesday following a violent week-and-a-half in Washington’s West End.
The Rev. Ross Pryor, pastor of West Washington United Methodist Church, joined with community leaders and residents to pray for peace and for an end to violence in the West End, which has become an area with the highest crime rate in the city.
The prayer service was a reaction to three shootings that recently took place within an 11-day span, and an increase in criminal activity. Residents notified the Washington County Drug Task Force about drug activity they have witnessed in the area.
“This is a service about unity; this is a service about love,” said Pryor. “Today, we pray for peace. Today, we pray for every single occupant of Washington. Today is about bringing God to a situation where we have left him out. We have an opportunity to put God in the midst of it.”
About 60 people turned out for the service, which was organized by Marna Hicks, a member of the church who grew up in the West End.
Hicks said the neighborhood was “a wonderful place to grow up,” but she now sees criminal activity “right outside of here.”
“We need to do something,” she said. “We need to get the criminals out.”
On Sunday, two unknown men opened fire near McCarrell Avenue about 6 p.m.
On July 30, a Houston man was shot in the hand outside 630 Fayette St. The following day, a different man was shot twice at the same address.
Midway through the service, Pryor asked those in attendance to stand up, shake hands and introduce themselves to people they did not know and acknowledge they are all part of the same community.
“I want it to be with intentional love that you turn to the left and to the right and know that these are the people who are in the midst of the struggle with you,” said Pryor. “What is going on in Washington is going on all over the country. Today, we must pray for each and every one of us for the strength to move forward as we are called. God is with us.”
He lifted up in prayer children, victims of crime, perpetrators, lawmakers and law enforcement officers.
Among those who attended were Mayor Brenda Davis and state Rep. Brandon Neuman.
Also attending was Bonnie Diamond, who lives on Fayette Street.
“I’m not going anywhere,” said Diamond, whose four grown children are worried about her remaining in her home amid the spate of violence.
“My son said the other week that he had the greatest childhood growing up here. I love where I am. I have the most wonderful neighbors, and they’ve all told me they’re watching out for me. I’m not moving.”