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Prayer vigil for marathon bombing victims held in Pittsfield

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PITTSFIELD – The mood inside the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Rennie Ave., was somber yet hopeful Tuesday night (April 16) at an interdenominational community prayer vigil, held in memory of everyone touched by Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon.

Tuesday night’s event included lighting remembrance candles, prayers, readings and community singing.

Members of the faith community in Pittsfield as well as Hospice Care in the Berkshires and volunteers quickly arranged the vigil as people in The Berkshires continued to reel from news of the horrific bombings so close to home.

News of the vigil being planned flashed early Tuesday afternoon on Cultural Pittsfield’s website and updated information was added as details became available.

By 6:30 p.m., about 40 people from the community took their places in specially set-up chairs.

Quentin Chin, interim pastor of First Baptist Church, 88 South St.,  and per diem chaplain of Hospice Care in the Berkshires, welcomed everyone.

 

[/media-credit] The Rev. Quentin Chin, interim pastor of First Baptist Church, 88 South St. , prays with the community.

He said plans for the vigil began just eight hours before it was held.

During the evening’s prayers, Pastor Chin acknowledged the hearts of everyone present were filled with pain as they came in sorrow and anger.

He said they could find solace in each others’ company. He urged everyone present to pray for those who died in the bombings, those who were injured and for bystanders as well as medical teams who helped in the aftermath of the bombings.

Rev. Chin also called everyone to come together as a community, live compassionately and care for one another, as well as to find comfort and forgiveness.

Stephanie Filiault, minister of Christian education and outreach at First United Methodist Church, 55 Fenn St., told The Beacon people need to know their strength is in community.

“There is still hope,” she said.

Regarding the hastily-planned vigil, she said, “It all came together.”

Other members of the faith community who were part of the night’s event included Rev. James Lumsden of First Congregational Church, 27 East St., and Tim Weisman, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, 174 First St.

Erin Sullivan, community relations manager for Hospice Care in the Berkshires, was also involved in planning the event.

Police Chief Michael Wynn attended, as well as Megan Whilden, director of cultural development for Pittsfield.

Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi addressed the gathering.

“It’s wonderful to see people of faith here,” he said, “and kiddos.”

He said two of his own children were in Boston at the time of the bombings and noted his family was glad and comforted to get phone calls letting everyone know they were alright.

“These are troubling times,” the mayor said. “You are all people of faith who believe in the power of prayer.”

He said people are almost accustomed to evil and acts of violence.

 

 

[/media-credit] The Ellis sisters, Mackenzie and Meagan, of Pittsfield, hold candles in remembrance of all affected by the Boston Marathon bombings, Their mother, Josephine “Josie” Ellis was one of the runners.She attended the vigil along with the girls’ father, Scott.

“We have to have courage, faith and compassion to chase out the darkness,” he said, adding it will take compassion and faith to make a better world.

Attendees were encouraged to light small remembrance candles from the flames burning on three large candles, which represented the three people who lost their lives in Monday’s bombings.

There were also pieces of paper shaped like sneakers. People could write messages of thanks to helpers in the community. The “sneakers” were then taped to a board. At the top were the words, “Hope and Peace Are Our Course.”

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Posted by on April 18, 2013. Filed under Breaking News,Community Events,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
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