CATHEDRAL INTERNATIONAL HOLDS PRAYER VIGIL FOR TRAGIC SHOOTING IN CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, SC

6:30pm, Hilliard Complex, 205 Smith Street, Perth Amboy, NJ

PERTH AMBOY, NJ —  Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., Senior Pastor at Cathedral International responded to the horrific hate crime at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston, South Carolina that left nine people dead including the pastor, Rev. Clementa Pickney. “The entire nation is in disbelief at the shooting of nine people while they were attending a church service.  How sad that the place of refuge must now be protected,” he said.  “How ironic that today the Stop The Funeral Foundation starts its annual weekend focusing on non violence, hate crimes, and alternative means of conflict resolution.”

Bishop Hilliard is calling for a prayer vigil today to pray for the families of the victims, church family and the community of Charleston.    

PRAYER VIGIL For Charleston Shooting

6:30pm, in front of the Hilliard Complex, 205 Smith Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

Bishop Hilliard states, “This horrific hate crime is another sign of the lack of concern and care for human life.  I have said over 5 years, regrettably, that the day is approaching when we will need metal detectors at the doorway of our churches.”   According to Hilliard, “These are the days  in which violence is glorified but also the days that we need  strengthened faith. We need faith that challenges us to take an active role in stopping funerals resulting from violence and hate.”  

Stop The Funeral Weekend  At Cathedral International

Joshus DuBois, former spiritual advisor to President Obama joins Bishop Hilliard during Stop The Funeral Weekend. Community leaders are being honored during this annual weekend designed to bring awareness and answers to violence prevention, senseless killings and injustice in communities.  See all planned events:

▪ Thursday, June 18, – Celebrating Perth Amboy’s Community Leaders

  7pm, 205 Smith St., Perth Amboy, NJ.

▪ Friday, June 19, – A Night of the Arts,7pm, 205 Smith St.

▪ Saturday, June 20, 2015, – A Panel Discussion – “The Real Deal” with Bishop Donald

  Hilliard & Joshua DuBois, 2pm, 205 Smith St.

▪ Sunday, June 21, – Joshua DuBois is guest speaker at 8:30am and 11:30am Sunday

  services, Cathedral International, 277 Madison Ave., Perth Amboy, NJ.

Stop The funeral Weekend is free for everyone to attend.  More information is available by calling (908)718-7867 or email: stopthefuneralweekend@gmail.com.

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Contact: Carole Dortch-Wright           

(732)585.4011  Email: caroledw@thecathedral.org