REDDICK, FL (352today.com) – Prayers for mother.
Mother is a term of endearment that the Rev. Milford L. Griner uses out of respect for women who’ve reached a certain age, and that’s how he referred to a 91-year-old Reddick woman, who was the victim of a recent sexual assault.
A prayer vigil, “Showing the Love: A Community Gathering for Our Neighbor” was held for her at the Mount Zion United Methodist Church the evening of Monday, June 24.
“We may not be able to erase the pain, the anguish or the memory, but what we can do is what we’re going to do here, letting her neighbors know that she’s one of us, she belongs to us, and we belong to her,” said Griner, Mount Zion United Methodist Church senior pastor. “That’s what’s most important. This could’ve happened to any of our family members. None of us are immune from trouble.”
Griner may have a deeper perspective than most.
He’s a former law enforcement officer, who was a victim of gun violence when he was 11 years old, in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Griner was shot by a gang member.
“We can’t stop these things, but we can pray about these things,” said Griner. “When it happens, God talks to me; and I come forward. I do what has to be done. I could’ve been killed in 1969, but I’m still here.”
Marion County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 14-year-old in connection with the attack that took place in the middle of the night on Sunday, June 9.
The 91-year-old victim was not a member of his church but lived in the neighborhood. The outpouring of support from the community and from other houses of worship in the area was evident and the emotion in the sanctuary was palpable. The prayer vigil was meant to bring comfort to the victim. However, prayers were also made to lend skills to the hands of her healers, and to give her peace, health and strength.
“We have personally adopted her as a member of this church and this community,” said Griner. “What’s important is that you’re here to show love to this mother who’s going through this terrible thing. Mother’s still with us because she knows the Lord.”
A demonstration of love, prayer and faith was the prevailing message, and even though there were people in the church from different denominations, they were there because of a higher power, said Rev. Dr. Myra Sherman of the Reddick Church of God.
“I’ve been pastoring for six years, and I’ve been trying to bring the local churches together,” said Sherman. “When things like this happen, we don’t just duck and hide. We try to extend our hand to whomever needs it. We do a lot of community projects, so we’re well known to each other.”
The sentiment throughout the prayer vigil, found community members wanting to be there for one another, expressing their concern for each other’s well-being. It was about unity within the community.
“We’re neighbors. We all need prayer. We all need each other,” said Dottie Howard, Mount Zion lay leader. “During this time, when we are going through a difficult time, we need to show love to one another regardless of how it is or what’s going on. We still have to show love. It’s her (the victim’s time), but who knows when it’s going to be our time. That’s what we are in this community is one big happy family. We’re here tonight to show love to one of own.”
Shirley Youmans’ children, mother and sisters knew the victim, and knew the woman as someone who was a Christian, extremely humble, and was loved by the community’s children.
“My kids know her, and we just continue to pray, and continue to trust in the Lord, with our whole heart, mind, body and spirit,” said Youmans. “Pray that God is covering over our community. Pray that God is covering our seniors, they live by themselves, and we have to ask God to cover them.”