From left, Father Al Allison, Pastor Troy Brand, Abbot Chris Sorenson, Pastor Marcellus Barnes, Pastor Mark Love and Rector Robert Childers
Did you know about the Prayer Walk for Peace in Chattanooga? It took place on Saturday, June 12, and began at First Baptist Church on 8th Street. Folks from all churches in the city were invited. Actually folks from all over the world were welcome, no matter where or if they attended church. The walk mindfully proceeded from the 8th Street location of the church to Miller Park, and ministers from churches from the community spoke at the street crossings, offering prayers for peace. Scripture and hymns flowed freely, filling the air with a sweet hope.
During a time of political unrest, unimaginable human suffering, heightened division on a hoard of issues, and a pandemic that looms over the world, I think one thing we all have in common is our wish for peace. No matter your political stance, I doubt many people relish war, on its many current levels.
The Rev. Terry Ladd of First Baptist Church organized the walk, and Father Al Allison Mission of Red Bank Church, Pastor Troy Brand of Orchard Park SDA, Abbot Chris Sorenson of Mission Chattanooga Church, Pastor Marcellus Barnes of Grace Pointe Church, Pastor Mark Love of The Journey Church and Rector Robert Childers Church of the Good Shepherd all encouraged their congregations to take part. All the ministers present at the Prayer Walk were charged with spreading their prayers to their own neighborhoods, and subsequent prayer walks followed all over the county.
About 50 people from different churches, of different backgrounds, of different zip codes and of different faiths gathered together. The Rev. Robert Childers of Church of the Good Shepherd invited folks to participate, and Wiki and Bill Carter, Susan and Taylor Stein, Tina Currin, Anna Kent, Margy Oehmig, Cathy Slocomb, Tricia Vinson, Nancy Driver, Terry Childers, Kathleen Crevasse, Robert Thompson, Marian Steffner, Jo Ann Yates and Bea and Brice Burbank were a few of the people from Lookout Mountain who joined in, all seeking to align their hearts, words and actions with Christ the Prince of Peace.
This prayer from the Book of Common Prayer sums up the Prayer Walk for Peace. “O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect.”
These folks did not focus on political beliefs or other differences, but focused on the common bond we share as humans. And together they prayed for peace for our community. They prayed for peace for our nation. They prayed for peace for our world.
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Ferris Robinson is the author of three children’s books, “The Queen Who Banished Bugs,” “The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds,” and “Call Me Arthropod” in her pollinator series. “Making Arrangements” is her first novel. “Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity” is a collection of true tales about man’s best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.
Ferris Robinson