SPRING VALLEY – Congregants from across
Rockland County gathered Sunday evening at the First Baptist Church of
Spring Valley in a prayer service for the victims and families of the
deadly shootings in Charleston, South Carolina. Nine people were shot
and killed while praying in a church.
Rev. Dr. Weldon McWilliams, Jr. of the First Baptist Church of Spring Valley said the prayer session was called to “urge an end to senseless violence” and send their community thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the victims.
“And that’s why we come together and pray and that’s the guidance from God in our lives and pray for the families,” he said. “We are not here to hate, but we are here to love; that’s what it is all about. Like the families said, love is stronger than hate.”
Rev. McWilliams said the “terrible” violence plaguing the country in recent months must come to an end.
