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Home + prayer= nonviolence
Published Monday, January 5, 2009
Photo by Amy Collins
David Witt, 10, and Dante Wiggins, 10 light candles at the "Peace Through Prayer Candle Light Vigil" Monday night at the Carl Morgan Convention Center.
City and County officials, religious leaders and citizens gathered together at the Carl Morgan Convention Center Monday night prayer for Selma.
Mayor George Evans evoked the passage from Second Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
That message led to Evans starting “Peace Through Prayer Candle Light Vigil” to unite the community in one goal–making Selma safe.
“God is telling us to appeal to him and he will give us blessings,” Evans said. “We must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and do away with the wickedness to heal this community.”
Evans called for the meeting to be the place to start actively seeking a change. With this the crowd of about 250 nodded in agreement. The attendees all felt it was more than the right time to take the city’s future into their hands.
Lay Minister Jeremy Peeples, Elizabeth Allen and the Elkdale Praise Band, all youth in Dallas County, exemplified what the night was striving to encourage.
Peeples spoke to the crowd stressing the importance of prayer.
“This is the beginning of a promise from God,” he said. “His presence is here we just need to ask for help.”
Elizabeth Allen played “Amazing Grace” on the violin and the band sang a praise song about keeping close to God during storms.
The meeting often turned to the recent shootings and the three deaths resulting from the incidents. The victims in each case were all in their teens.
The murders brought Selma’s homicide total for 2008 up to 10. Arrest had been made in nine cases and only the murder of Orlando Woods remains unsolved.
Woods was found in a ditch on Race Street Nov. 11 after being reported missing for more than a month.
Selma Police Chief William T. Riley III re-declared officers intent to work as diligently as possible to ensure safety.
‘We need to work together though,” he said. “A bullet has no name. It stops when it hits something.”
Nearly every speaker said perpetrators and victims of crime both suffer.
The Reverend Rodney Morton gave the main peace address and challenged those present.
“Let’s make this more than a Kodiak moment,” he said. “Let’s make this a genuine moment were we set out to make change. I ask we pray for guidance tonight.”
Everyone agreed the change of making Selma a better community cannot happen unless it starts at home, which lead to the announcement of programs beginning soon.
District Attorney Michael Jackson is starting a plan to ask parents to voluntarily check children’s rooms for drugs or guns.
Riley is beginning a neighborhood watch program for those interested.
Evans announced another meeting on Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m.
“Anyone with ideas for programs or anyway to help can call the mayor’s office before the meeting,” he said. “We want to try to get as many ideas together as possible.”
Morton gave advice to those who may endure pessimists.
“If anyone begins to complain, ask them ‘What are you doing to make it better,” he said.
With those words fresh on their minds, everyone joined in a circle, lit candles and sang “This Little Light of Mine.”
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Comments
Posted by Trublu (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe this is the beginning of the healing process Selma is so badly in need of. I like the statement Rev Rodney Morton made as to how to deal with pessimists: “If anyone begins to complain, ask them ‘What are you doing to make it better. God bless Selma and us all.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this should be a monthly event in Selma for ALL the citizens to take part in. It's a nice reminder for us to remember that we are all humans with emotions, family's and children.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Was the Freedom Foundation there? Was the Southern Christian Leadership(SCLC) present? Can anyone answer this quesion? I would like to know if any members of these organizations made an effort to attend and show they walk the walk and not just talk the talk. If not, I guess it wasn't profitable enough for them.
Posted by sparkl88 (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
George Evans, I commend you on your selection of scripture for this event. May I suggest that you as our leader start the ball rolling by starting each day in your office with your employees by having prayer for all the things you may face that day and that you will conduct business in a Godly way, humble and forgiving. We are only as good as our leaders. God first and leaders second. Be a Godly leader for Selma. Stand up for Jesus. Seperation of God and government is bull. God is the reason we have government, In God We Trust was good enough for the first citizens of this world and it is good enough for me. God Bless you and keep you safe this year and I pray He will keep you in His will, not the will of George Evans.
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What difference does it make if the Freedom Foundation or The SCLC was there? I think God had there who He wanted to be there. I'm not criticizing you eyeonyou I'm just saying God has a way of putting who He wants where at any certain time and place. I just praise Him for the ones that He did have there.
Posted by selmapray (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thank God he has people that are ready to fight to bring about a positive change in our community and to push Selma forward, I pray this is a start of healing and true effort.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In the contexts of this discussion, it is very relevant whether these groups were there. For what these groups stand for, stand on and prop themselves up every day in the public's eyes....the public wants to know if they are there walking the walk to assist. Or are they just getting on the air waved talking the talk and giving lip service like many others around here? If you stand behind, align yourself and make a pledge to help advance the black community in Selma...NOW IS THE TIME TO BE DOING IT. Not sitting behind a microphone preaching about injustice and the what-nots around town. It's these groups that have pledged to make a difference. They aren't doing anything but bickering over trivial matters in the grand scheme of things in Selma. In other words, they are hypocrites. Certain people claim to be motivated and talked to by God... and feel the need to justify everything they do in public by this notion. If you do this, then you are subject to having this discussed right here on this forum. IF they weren't acting like God had a direct line of communication and directing their every move...then we wouldn't be asking these questions. Why wasn't "God" directing them to this vigil? Why wasn't "God" directing the so called leader of her ward Benny Ruth Crenshaw to this prayer vigil for "HER PEOPLE"? It's "HER PEOPLE" that are direct victim's of this senseless crime and violence. I guess she didn't feel the need to show up because it wasn't on her self centered agenda. I guess she felt like it wasn't profitable enough for her to show repect for these victims and their families and to pray for this city. I guess this is what people want representing their ward? She is a total embarrassment to Selma and it's political process.
Posted by SelmaSmartBoy (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now hold on now eyeoneyou. You're walking on thin lines. Stay on the subject at hand please. This is how mess gets started.
Now in my opinion, (even though I couldn't make it due 2 circumstances beyond my control) be mindful that you can meet at much as you want. If there is hate, remorse, spite, or anything not of LOVE in your heart, then all of that will be in vain. Let's not spend so much time on mess, anc corruption and focus on the BIGGER picture of life in this beautiful city.
Thanks
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THIS IS THE SUBJECT. Are you lost? The point is the people that CLAIM to be here in Selma for the betterment of the people AREN"T DOING ANYTHING!!!!! They don't even show up at an event like the vigil. How is that not relevant? What I'm asking has NOTHING to do with spite, hate or remorse. I'm asking legit questions that deserve legit answers. Thin Ice? The only mess that is getting started is why YOUR COUNCIL PERSON was the only COUNCIL PERSON not present to support Selma in a time like this. She hasn't shown up to ONE YET!! And I'm the one being questioned or have malice in my heart? You need to open your eyes to the real problems. THIS IS THE BIGGER PICTURE!! CRIME, KILLINGS, COP STAFFING SHORTAGE, BLACK ON BLACK CRIME, POVERTY, ECONOMIC SLUMP, HYPOCRITES, SELF CENTERED AGENDAS, RACE BATING. WE DO NEED TO FOCUS ON THESE ISSUES BECAUSE THEY EFFECT PEOPLE'S LIVES.
Posted by Publisher (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In order to add clarity, I can attest, as I was there [as was our entire editorial staff], that Ronald, who hosts the morning Freedom Foundation radio show, was there. There could have been other Freedom Foundation members, but I was seated in the back of the room and it was a very, very large crowd.
Dennis Palmer
Publisher
The Selma Times-Journal
selmatimesjournal.com
Posted by SelmaSmartBoy (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Eyeoneyou I'm going to need for you calm the tone of your reply because I have gone there with you, please don't go there with me. Thanks. I don't recall stating what ward I live in or my name, but it seems like YOU DO. So who is my Council Person since you think you know me so well and answer with caution because you are getting ready 2 overstep some boundaries. You still have proved my point. Problems never lie within people. You are only attacking people instead of the problem. You should attack the problem and NOT the people within the problem. Once again that is how mess gets started.
Thanks
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's "probably" the one you keep defending.
Posted by Nabahood23 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Selma is in need a healing touch
Lord, Selma is in need of a healing touch from you.
Please touch us and strengthen Selma to endure.
The soul of our city is wrenched with sin and pain.
Lord, please touch us and make Selma whole again.
Please allow Selma to depend on no one but you.
Only because your mercy and grace, will we be able to continue.
Please give Selma all the strength that we really need.
Guide us no matter where the future path may lead.
Lord, we are placing all our trust and hope in you
We know you will be there to bring Selma through.
Comfort each of us with the healing touch of your hand.
Lord, touch Selma and I know we will be whole again.
Lord, we sincerely desire to be touch by you.
We have tried so hard to you to always remain true.
Because of the lures of sin we have fallen on life’s pathway.
Lord, please forgive our sins and wash the stain away.
Lord, Selma is in need of a healing touch from you.
Please touch us and make Selma whole again.
The soul of our city is wrenched with sin and pain.
Lord, please touch Selma and make us whole again.
http://www.everypoet.net/poetry/blogs/re...
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ,
Although, I am no longer a resident of the city of Selma, this city will always remain close to my heart. Because of the love and help I received from many citizens of Selma like the members of Green Street Missionary Baptist Church, the good people of SelmAir, and my friends and family in Uniontown, Greensboro, Marion, and Selmont, it greaved my spirit when I read the article. Please rest assured that I and all of my friends and prayer partners across the United States and on the internet will be praying for the situation in Selma.
As always, may God bless each of us,
Pastor Reginald Levi Walker
Posted by SelmaSmartBoy (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who am I defending? I called no names in my post. Still assuming. Proving my point.
Posted by Nabahood23 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eyeonyou,
As important as the representation of these various organization are to the well being of the city of Selma, please let us not be fooled into thinking that the mere presence of the organizations alone can solve this crisis. This has been and continues to be the downfall in our thinking in America. We can create many organizations and church buildings. We can hire many talented and experienced people and place them in leadership. However, in order for true change to come to our communities, we, the people, must decide to come from behind the safety of our enclosures and venture out into the field and do our part.
In the Scripture quoted by Mayor George Evans, God issued an appeal to the people. He was not speaking to the organizations, elected officials or church buildings. God was speaking directly to the people. By this, he means each of us individually. This is the same with the crisis in Selma, Alabama, America, and the world. We, the people, must stop relying on our organizations to do the work that God assigned to our hands to do. We, the people, must emerge from behind the safety of the walls of our self-righteous opinions and lives. We can no longer afford to separate ourselves from our hurting brothers and sisters. We must come and help to stop their pain. We must reach out to those that by their crimes and trouble making are crying out for help. We must help them in order to help Selma.
Since, we inhabit the communities where the problems are, why not just go next door and we help someone to overcome the crisis that they face. Most crimes committed can be deterred. They are committed because the criminal feel that because of their crisis they have no chose. They reason that their families must be feed. They reason that the bills must be paid. They, therefore, reason that they will solve their crisis anyway they can because no one came to offer them any help or another choice. However, imagine how many crimes can be deterred. Imagine the number of deaths that can be avoided. Imagine the blessings that God would bestow upon Selma if those that God saved to go into the byways and highways of life will come from behind the walls of their homes, church buildings, and organizations and get to work.
The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Therefore, I pray to God that the laborer will finally come out to the fields and get to work. Nevertheless, be warned, the time is quickly approaching when no will be able to work. Then, we, the people, will have to stand before God and give an acceptable reason why we did not do the job that He assigned to our hands to do. Unfortunately, God does not accept excuses.
As always, may God bless each of us,
Pastor Reginald Levi Walker
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