Praying for a better and safer future in 2013
Updated: December 31, 2012
DECATUR -- Families said they're seeing more violence around their homes lately. So they're coming together find hope in the new year. Several Decatur churches joined for one big service. They remembered those killed in the Connecticut shooting and the people who died from violence in Illinois.
"We have to stand up for what we believe in," said Lena Frazier. "I believe in being there for my child no matter what."
So that's what Frazier is doing: reclaiming her hometown in the name of peace.
"When I grew up here, we didn't have this," said Frazier. "It wasn't guns and kids against kids and against parents and all of that. You never know what to expect now. That's why we have to stay prayed up at all times."
"We have so many things happening," said Pastor Roland Cook. "Deaths here right in our own city, young people getting killed and shot."
Three people have died from shootings in Decatur in December. One man died in a shooting downtown on Waggoner Street. Another man was found shot to death inside a car at Galloway Park. And an off-duty officer killed another man in a northeast neighborhood the next week. That brought the city's homicide count to seven for 2012. Cook said it's not just the violence in Decatur that got him thinking. The victim's of this month's shooting in Connecticut were also a part of their special sermon.
"Go into this new year not just as a new year but today," said Cook. "Make choices, make decisions."
Their purpose is a wake up call. They want to help people look to a higher power. And in doing so, they pray the violence will stop.
"God loves you," said Frazier. "I wish you all the peace and happiness and joy and whatever problems you may have, you can lay it in his hands."
Cook said he was happy people came for their service. But the real work starts after they leave. He said that's when people need to spread that message in hopes of a better 2013.
"We have to stand up for what we believe in," said Lena Frazier. "I believe in being there for my child no matter what."
So that's what Frazier is doing: reclaiming her hometown in the name of peace.
"When I grew up here, we didn't have this," said Frazier. "It wasn't guns and kids against kids and against parents and all of that. You never know what to expect now. That's why we have to stay prayed up at all times."
"We have so many things happening," said Pastor Roland Cook. "Deaths here right in our own city, young people getting killed and shot."
Three people have died from shootings in Decatur in December. One man died in a shooting downtown on Waggoner Street. Another man was found shot to death inside a car at Galloway Park. And an off-duty officer killed another man in a northeast neighborhood the next week. That brought the city's homicide count to seven for 2012. Cook said it's not just the violence in Decatur that got him thinking. The victim's of this month's shooting in Connecticut were also a part of their special sermon.
"Go into this new year not just as a new year but today," said Cook. "Make choices, make decisions."
Their purpose is a wake up call. They want to help people look to a higher power. And in doing so, they pray the violence will stop.
"God loves you," said Frazier. "I wish you all the peace and happiness and joy and whatever problems you may have, you can lay it in his hands."
Cook said he was happy people came for their service. But the real work starts after they leave. He said that's when people need to spread that message in hopes of a better 2013.
