Church to host prayer vigil for Nova Scotia victims

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This article was published 22/04/2020 (1612 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg church will transform its online Sunday service into a prayer vigil for the people of Nova Scotia affected by last weekend’s mass murder.

Rev. Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd invites Winnipeggers of all faith traditions to connect to Westworth United Church’s YouTube channel for a 45-minute service commemorating the 22 people killed during a gunman’s rampage.

“It’s a way to release our incredible sorrow we all feel in a way that provides prayerful energy to those in Nova Scotia,” said the minister of the River Heights church.

Shepherd plans to name and read a short description about each victim and light a candle in their honour during the pre-recorded service, available Saturday evening.

Piper Robyn McComb will play the hymn Amazing Grace on his bagpipes, and wear a kilt of Manitoba tartan. Shepherd said a church member lent her several metres of Nova Scotia tartan to drape on the table holding the candles.

With viewers from across Canada and several other countries, Shepherd said the online memorial service will provide a way for people to mourn within a community even though they cannot physically gather.

“Had we not been in a COVID-19 (pandemic), I can see us doing a city-wide vigil,” she said.

Shepherd and others in her church have friends and family in Nova Scotia and wanted to show their support to them when they could not be physically present.

Winnipeg-born Joanne Thomas is presumed dead in a house fire connected to the murderous rampage, and victim Lisa McCully had strong connections within the United Church.

“It’s a way of honouring them and a way to let Nova Scotia know they’re not alone,” said Shepherd.

The service will also feature music by soprano Christina Thanisch-Smith accompanied by pianist Dorcas Windsor.

Churches across Canada are invited to ring their bells at 6 p.m. Atlantic time (4 p.m. in Manitoba) on Friday in memory of the 22 victims, as well as everyone affected by the tragedy.

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