Nutley Clergy Hold Vigil Against Violence: 'We Must Stand Together'

NUTLEY, NJ — A group of religious leaders in Nutley continues to call for an end to violence and hate – and the uplifting of peace – after a deadly shooting in Michigan.

Members of the Nutley Clergy Fellowship held a community vigil for peace and nonviolence on Saturday evening in front of Town Hall. Dozens of people joined Asa Coulson of Grace Episcopal Church, Jill Fenske of Franklin Reformed Church, Sam Park of Vincent United Methodist Church and Nancy Truscott of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

“Members of our fellowship are deeply concerned and troubled by the recent occurrences of political violence in our nation, with the assassinations of Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk being at the forefront of our minds,” the group explained prior to the vigil.

“We recognize that these acts of evil are not isolated; they come from the ongoing and increased division in our nation, in our communities, and even within our homes and places of worship,” they continued.

“We must strive to be better as neighbors,” the clergy members urged. “We must stand together against ideas and actions which would seek to divide us. We must be peacemakers, if we want peace.”

The vigil was beautiful and well-received, the group reported.

However, less than 24 hours later, news broke about another national tragedy: a mass shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Michigan. Authorities haven’t yet released the names of the four people who died or the eight victims who were wounded and expected to survive, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

“Our sympathies and prayers for everyone in that community and beyond,” the Nutley Clergy Fellowship shared in the wake of the shooting.

“It feels like violence motivated by political, faith-based or personal hate is on the rise,” Truscott said.

“I hope we never stop praying for non-violence, peace and love,” Truscott added.

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