Coming together, praying together
BOUT 70 PEOPLE GATHERED at Grady Park in Saukville last Sunday for a “Praying Together for Peace” event. The group (top photo) included members from several local churches of various denominations. Kelly Lemens of A Place To Be Spirituality Center (lower right photo) helped lead the service while (lower left photo) Nick Rico (left) and his father-in-law Al Gonzalez performed worship music. The service was suggested by Rico after there was a confrontation in July over a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Saukville. Photos by Sam Arendt
About 70 people turned out last Sunday afternoon at Grady Park in Saukville for “Praying Together for Peace,” a prayer-centered ecumenical event inspired by a confrontation this summer after a local Black Lives Matter demonstration.
“The service was engaging, thought provoking, really moving,” said Kelly Lemens, one of the event’s organizers.
“A lot of people told me how deeply moved they were. Overall, everybody I spoke with felt really good about the day.”
The service was inspired by Saukville resident Nick Rico, who suggested it after a Black Lives Matter demonstration on July 21 resulted in confrontations between some protestors and passersby.
On Sunday, Rico performed music during the service with his father-in-law Al Gonzalez.
The service lasted just under an hour, with seven speakers addressing the assembly gathered in the park pavilion, with everyone maintaining social distance and wearing masks.
The theme of the event was based on St. Francis of Assisi’s “Prayer for Peace,” which begins, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
The event was hosted by A Place To Be Spirituality Center and co-sponsored by Christ the King Lutheran Church, Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, Living Hope Lutheran Church, Parkside Community UCC Church, Redeemed Christian Church of God - Household of God, River of Life Lutheran Church and St. John XXIII Catholic Church.
“It was a great collaborative effort,” said Lemens, who helps lead A Place to Be.
“There was really a spirit of inclusivity and community.”
Rico said he enjoyed “the somberness” of the event, as well as several moments of levity introduced by some of the speakers.
“I was glad to see the community come out and try to do something,” he said.
“I hope to see it continue and get bigger and have a bigger worship set (for music). It was definitely a good start.”
Lemens said she also hopes similar events will be held in the future.
“The next step? We’re still figuring that out,” she said.
“We have an email out there, and we’ll just have to see. We certainly would like something to happen. I don’t have clarity on that.”
Lemens said there are tentative plans for an ecumenical Thanksgiving service, which may be held virtually.
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