LEWISTON — There will be a candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge to express public support for the value of all lives.
The event, which is supported by the L-A Interfaith Clergy Group, is being held to show support “specifically and especially” for African-American lives, according to a news release from the clergy.
According to the release, the group urges “everyone in our community to join us as we reaffirm our commitment to the sacred idea that all lives are equally precious and that African-American lives are as valuable as everyone else’s.”
And “as members of the clergy, we feel that it is our duty to remind all Americans that we haven’t achieved as much racial progress as we think we have. Please join us on Sunday as we publicly declare our collective belief that every single human being, regardless of race or color, carries the image of God. May we all work and pray for an America that celebrates difference, where all share equal opportunity and equal security.”
Local clergy who have expressed support and will participate in the vigil include the Rev. Jacquelyn Brannen of the United Methodist Church of Auburn, the Rev. Stephen Carnahan of High Street Congregational Church, Bates College interfaith chaplains the Rev. Raymond Clothier and the Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon, the Rev. Casey Collins of Calvary United Methodist Church in Lewiston, the Rev. Dr. Steve Crowson of Trinity Episcopal Church, Rabbi Sruli Dresdner of Temple Shalom, the Rev. Jodi Cohen Hayashida of the First Universalist Church in Auburn, the Rev. Ronald A. Murch of Auburn Advent Christian Church, Shelley Reed of the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine and the Rev. Richard Waller of Auburn Church of the Nazarene.
The public is invited to participate.
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