City of Grand Rapids issued the following announcement on May 29.
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and a diverse group of local faith leaders are inviting the community to join them Monday for a citywide moment of silence and prayer. The online gathering is part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ National Day of Prayer and Remembrance to mourn and honor those who have died from COVID-19.
The local event will be at noon and will be streamed live on the mayor’s Facebook. Bliss is encouraging community members to watch and participate from wherever they are. She also is asking faith leaders to provide prayers with their congregations and networks, ring bells at their places of worship and share the virtual event on their social media.
This week marked a somber milestone for the U.S. with the American death toll in the COVID-19 pandemic surpassing 100,000 individuals. Grand Rapids will be among hundreds of cities across the U.S. that will participate in the national event, which is supported by a wide range of faith organizations.
“In partnership with mayors across the country, I am asking our community to join me for this important moment,” Bliss said. “With the rapid spread of COVID-19, the scope of its impact and the need for physical distancing, we have not been given the time or space to mourn and remember those whose lives have been taken by this deadly virus.”
During the online event, Bliss will be joined by:
- Rev. Katherine Lee Baker, Metro Health and Reformed Church in America
- Rev. Jessica Bratt Carle, Spectrum Health and Presbyterian Church USA
- Rev. Nathaniel Moody, Third Ward city commissioner and Brown-Hutcherson Ministries
- Rev. Mark Przybysz, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Community
- Imam Sharif Sahibzada, Islamic Center and Masjid of Grand Rapids
- Rabbi Michael Schadick, Temple Emanuel
- Pracharak Fred Stella, Interfaith Dialogue Association and Hindu Temple of Grand Rapids
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Grand Rapids
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