NEWSBREAK

Jamaican Believers
Urge End to Violence

etermined to oppose a wave of violence in their neighborhoods, Seventh-day Adventists joined Christians from 17 different denominations in a march for peace in the community of Mountain View, a densely populated section of Kingston that has been torn by violence in the last year. Reports indicate that 20 people have been murdered in that district of the country's capital since June 19.

On August 10, 300 marchers converged on a central point barricaded for a community church service, hoping to make a two-week halt in violence more than temporary.

Religious leaders offered 10 different prayers--one concerning political problems, one for the youth, one for spiritual commitment, and some for specific troubled communities. The peace management community leader and the president of the ministerial fraternity of denominations gave speeches.

Carl Cunningham, pastor of three Seventh-day Adventist churches in the area, delivered the sermon. He spoke of the need for a spiritual community that would lay the foundation for community growth. "Violence has escalated so much that we couldn't move freely...people are afraid to move about sections of the district," Cunningham told the Adventist News Network.

Leaders of 13 denominations met in July to discuss solutions to the escalating violence. "They came together initially to expand fraternity among their denominations, to bring the community together spiritually, first, and social projects would follow," said Cunningham.

On August 9, volunteers from 18 denominations went to the streets distributing fliers and announcing the next day's march with public address systems in cars. People lent their sound systems and flat bed trucks for the march.

Concluding the Sunday afternoon rally, participants formed smaller groups to pray for peace in their community. "It was a high spiritual program," said Cunningham.

Cunningham was assigned to pastor the Johnson Town, Rollington Town, and Roosevelt Avenue Adventist Churches eight months ago. During the last 12 months, violence has increased dramatically.

Some months ago Cunningham gathered the elders of his church together to find solutions for the community. "We realized that we could not do it alone, so we sought the leaders of other denominations," said Cunningham.

Members of the ministerial fraternity plan to continue meeting once a month to offer counseling services for the community. The group plans to continue its cooperation.                     --Adventist News Network

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