Prayer campaign targets violence

By Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer

An ecumenical effort to address violence in Louisville and “consecrate the West End to the Lord’s care” begins tomorrow, Ash Wednesday.

Gerry Ellis, a parishioner of Good Shepherd Church, and her friend Gwen Young, a member of Bates Memorial Baptist Church, created this prayer initiative, which they envision as a prayer chain for peace and healing.

“It’s no secret the West End is imploding,” Ellis said in a recent phone interview. “It’s past what the government can and what manpower can do. We believe that only God can bring about the changes needed in western Louisville.”

The effort begins tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, and the two friends are still seeking participants. The idea, Ellis said, is to invite 12 people to take part in the chain and for those 12 people to invite 12 more.

“Every day at 3 o’clock, wherever you may be, stop and consecrate the West End to the Lord’s care and pray for guidance,” she said.

Ellis said the devotional program seeks to find healing and to “stop the gun violence, drugs and crime … destroying a once vibrant and beautiful community.”

The friends are calling the effort “Something Gotta Be Did About This.” — a playful name. But the intention behind it is serious, Ellis said.

Growing up near Walnut Street, Ellis said when there was a community issue, the “elders of the community would often say ‘Something gotta be did about this.’ Not ‘done,’ but ‘did’ about the matter.”

“It is our belief that we are at that critical level now,” she said.

There is no cost involved and no meetings to attend, Ellis noted.

“We all want to do something, and this is something we can all do,” Ellis said.

For more information, contact Ellis at 640-1108.

The Record
Written By
The Record
More from The Record
Teaching Our Faith — All of us are called to youth ministry
This series of teaching editorials focuses on “Christ is Alive,” the 2019...
Read More
0 replies on “Prayer campaign targets violence”