THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511030201
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Maybe, for one day, one less child will be murdered.
Maybe, for one day, one less person will go hungry.
Lofty, unrealistic hopes?
Not if you ask organizers of Suffolk's first Community Day of Prayer. They hope the power of prayer will help community leaders find the answers to some of society's biggest problems and unify a sometimes-divided community.
On Nov. 16, the entire community is invited to a 24-hour prayer vigil at Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St. Beginning at 8 p.m. and ending the following day at 8 p.m., prayers will be offered each hour for a particular problem, such as violence.
Mayor S. Chris Jones, former Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr. and several ministers of all faiths and races will participate.
A Thanksgiving community service, including an open prayer time and a performance by the YMCA Community Chorus, will take place at the church fellowship hall Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
The idea of the vigil came to Martha Callis, community director for the Y, while she was in Main Street United Methodist and the Rev. Alan R. Felumlee preached about putting an end to violence, particularly among the city's youth. Callis decided at that point she wanted to act.
``The minister asked us what we are doing about the problems. I thought the first (step) was asking for God's leadership,'' said Callis.
Armed with more than 1,000 miniature, silver-colored crosses that are enclosed in a religious poem, Callis has approached educators, social service workers and others to participate. The crosses, which Callis has given to participants, symbolize the importance of worshiping God.
Prayer, says Callis, is vital because it gives a person's life focus through God's grace.
``For me, prayer is the basis for everything we do, and I feel like most of the time we can work real hard on a project, but unless we ask for leadership from God we won't be as successful as we should be,'' she said.
Other ministers, like the Rev. Melvin R. Boone, who leads Metropolitan Baptist Church, agrees.
``I think it will be good to bring together people of all denominations and recognize the Supreme Being,'' said Boone. ``I think if people can sing together and pray together and fellowship together, we should be together as one body in Christ.''
Organizers also hope the vigil will bring the people of Suffolk closer, especially across racial and denominational lines.
Felumlee says prayer is the answer: ``Prayer is something that will unite all groups in Suffolk.''
For more information, contact Martha Callis at the YMCA at 934-9622. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``I think if people can sing together and pray together and
fellowship together, we should be together as one body in Christ,''
says the Rev. Melvin R. Boone, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist
Church.
by CNB