The pastor of the church wants those who suffered in the tornado to know that her congregation cares.
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The First Congregational Church will conduct a special prayer service and supper Wednesday for the community in regard to the recent tornado that wreaked havoc in the Merrick neighborhood as well as the rest of the region.
The events have been timed to coincide with the one-month anniversary of the June 1 twister.
“We want the neighborhood to know the church cares. When terrible things happen it is common to look for meaning, for God in the mess,” the church’s pastor, Jan Powers, said. “As I’ve listened to the congregation and our neighbors it is clear many people feel a little lost in the wake of the tornado.
Gary W. Boisseau, the deacon at the church organizing the service, said “We know there are a lot of people grieving and suffering and who need hope and faith....We are trying to reach out to the entire community.”
Participants will be asked to give free-will offerings that will be donated to victims of the tornado.
The service will start at 6 p.m. at the church at 20 Lathrop St. with a meal to follow it at 6:45 p.m. Parking will be available at the Senior Center next door to the church at 128 Parker St. The church’s doors will open at 5 p.m. for those who want solitude and peace before the service begins.
Powers said the service will be the first in a number of healing services around the tornado the church will conduct every other month for the next year.
The church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.