BEVERLY — A candlelight vigil will be held at churches throughout Beverly and Morgan Park in the wake of the tragic shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.
Four churches have already agreed to host a vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, said the Rev. Karen Mooney of the Beverly Unitarian Church.
Her church at 10244 S. Longwood Drive in Beverly also known as The Castle, is coordinating the effort. She welcomed any local church or religious organization to join in participating.
Thus far, other churches that have signed on include:
• St. Barnabas Catholic Church at 10121 S. Longwood Drive in Beverly
• Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity at 9300 S. Pleasant Ave. in Beverly
• Morgan Park Presbyterian Church at 2017 W. 110th Place in Morgan Park
Mooney admitted she's a relative newcomer to the Beverly area, so she merely reached out to the handful of religious leaders in the area that she's met.
As for the order of events, Mooney is asking participants follow a similar format. Though she realizes there will also be a uniqueness to each service.
Mooney is asking that the short ceremony begins by reading the names of the nine people who died in the shooting at the historic black church. She'd like this to be followed by some sort of liturgy or religious reading. Music is also welcome as part of the vigil.
Around 7:30 p.m., everyone is asked to move outside with candles thus creating a shared experience, Mooney said.
"Sometimes we gather together in order to show strength," she said.
For more information about the candlelight vigil, call the Beverly Unitarian Church at 773-233-7080.
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