On Friday, May 28, several community residents gathered to pray..for our community for ourselves and for each other. We had "celebrities" such as Ald. Lyle and Philip Jackson of the Black Star Project. However, they weren't there to promote themselves but simply to pray and be prayed for. Everyone had a chance to pray, and the mood of the playground shifted to one of community and hope.
About 25 people attended, plus a few others (including 2 police officers) at the end. In the background, kids safely played in the playground.
About 25 people attended, plus a few others (including 2 police officers) at the end. In the background, kids safely played in the playground.
Thanks so much to Mr. Jackson of the Black Star Project for providing these wonderful photos, helping those who couldn't make to get a picture (literally) of what happened.
After the prayer, we did share some events going in our respective lives and invited others to events people are sponsoring. We will post on them as we receive information. One example is the Deborah Movement. Dorthy Davis, also of Black Star, shared this information at the prayer.
Something i noticed...at the end of the prayer, when i looked around the park all i saw were families...mothers & fathers and their children. Despite evidence of previous beer drinking, on a Friday night at 8pm, no one sitting around Ruggles Park drinking alcohol or smoking pot or otherwise loitering.
It was a beautiful sight that can - and must - keep happening..
It was a beautiful sight that can - and must - keep happening..
I'm glad to see that there was a good turnout. I saw Phil at the Cole Park Unity day event and asked him to write or send some information about what Black Star was up to and in turn I would keep him posted on events in the community.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been nice if some of our local churches could have participated.