MEDFORD, Mass. (
MyFoxBoston.com) -
One thousand miles from the historic black church in Charleston where nine people were killed during Bible study, congregations across Massachusetts held vigils in honor of the victims. West Medford Baptist Church opened its doors on Saturday afternoon for an "interfaith prayer vigil for peace and justice." The Mystic Valley NAACP helped organize the service that filled the pews. "We prayed, we sang, we cried, we lit our candles," said Valerie David. "I think the turnout was wonderful. I'm glad that I came out to be a part of this." Pictures of the victims surrounded the altar as church leaders spoke not only of honoring the lost lives, but also of showing compassion for 21-year-old alleged gunman and white supremacist, Dylann Roof. "You can forgive, but you don't forget," said Shirley Rice, who attended the vigil. "It's better to love than to hate." Pastor Cindy Jacobsen opened Woburn's Lutheran Church of the Redeemer all afternoon for a personal vigil, leaving out candles and a "book of remembrance" for worshippers to sign and send to Charleston. "We, as a congregation and as a community, stand with them to fight racism," Jacobsen said. The small Woburn church will open its doors again before Sunday morning service to continue the vigil.
