Friday 13th Candlelight vigil – held for the stunned community. And a Minute silence on Monday Local Churches opened their doors to provide a ‘Safe space’ where anyone could come to share their emotions, anxieties and shock; to find a listening ear, a cuppa, prayer and space to digest the awfulness of this tragic event. Keyham, a close knit area just by the Naval Dockyard.
St Mark’s is a ‘Lee Abbey Anglican community’ and a building that also houses the Bishop’s office and ‘Transforming Plymouth Together’. It has been open ever since the shooting and will stay open for the community all this week. The Police have used the Bishop’s office as an Incident room for their interviews. The local Salvation Army came along offering whatever help was needed and have been tireless. The local Baptist Minister similarly came to sit with hurting people. St Thomas’, Keyham Methodist and the local RC church opened too, to offer shocked people time, solace, a listening ear or a simple prayer – whatever they needed to help them process this dreadful event, in this close-knit community and what it means for them all. Vineyard City Centre church held an hours prayer vigil to lift up our city before the Lord. At what has been termed, Plymouth’s darkest hour since the Blitz’, flags have flown at half mast and Smeaton’s Tower has been lit up as a beacon of light. Police Chaplains have come to the scene to support police officers who have encountered the raw results of shotgun shooting and a terrified neighbourhood. ‘Billy Graham Rapid Response Chaplains’ came from as far afield as Brighton and Bedford, to be in local parks and wherever people laid flowers, teddies and messages, to be on hand for those in need. Street Pastors used their training and comforting presence to support the community. They also have specially trained ‘Response Pastors’, equipped to give comfort and help in situations of trauma like this.
Messages of sympathy and support have come in from across the nation and beyond. Local people have poured out with their tributes and messages of sorrow and sympathy.
Continued need for prayer –
• For the families of those innocent people killed and injured in hospital • For the community in a state of shock and trauma.
• For the Police as they investigate and dig deep for lessons learnt.
• For the family of the gunman who have to deal with guilt as well as loss.
• For the churches as they continue to minister into this tragedy.
Devon Wellbeing Hub are also liaising with Plymouth Council to give support to Public services – the Police, NHS, Road cleaners and Livewell who have all been involved in different ways. Chris Clewer Churches Together in Plymouth Chair ROC SW / Police Faith Coordinator 57330
