Local church to host prayer vigil for Orlando shooting victims

Below is an article from the June 14, 2016, edition of the Grand Haven Tribune about the ministry of our church.

A prayer vigil for those who died in Sunday’s night club shooting in Orlando will be held Wednesday at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 524 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven, beginning at 6 p.m.

“Like many of you, I have been shocked and grieved by the tragic events that unfolded early Sunday morning in Orlando,” the Very Rev. Jared Cramer said. “This seems to have been a coming together of hate and terrorism, as the gunman chose not only to attack a gay club but to do so on a Latino culture themed night, pledging allegiance to the Islamic State in advance.

“As we continue in prayer and reflection, I hope that we, as a community and as a country, will find what steps we can take to make these tragedies less common ... and that we will have the courage to take them,” he continued. “But first, I do believe we must grieve. So, I would like to invite all of you to the church (Wednesday evening) for a special prayer vigil and requiem eucharist. Please invite friends or neighbors, anyone you think might find gathering at this time to be helpful.”

A message will be shared by parish intern Jessica Robinson, who is the head of the Lakeshore LGBTQ Faith Initiative.