Tulsa Churches Hold Vigil In Response To Ferguson Shooting

The event was hosted by the Metropolitan Baptist Church, but more than a dozen other churches and religious groups attended. <br/>

Sunday, August 31st 2014, 8:39 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Churches Hold Vigil In Response To Ferguson Shooting

A group of Tulsa churches hosted a candlelight vigil Sunday night as a sign of solidarity over a shooting in Ferguson, Mo. that has captured the attention of the nation.

The event was hosted by the Metropolitan Baptist Church, but more than a dozen other churches and religious groups attended and opened up a discussion about race within the community. It was is in response to the shooting death of an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Mo., on Aug. 9.

"No matter what they are that's different from you, I think that you should have concern over what happens to them," said Betty Morrow from All Souls Unitarian Church.

The shooting has spurred outrage within the Ferguson community. Violence has since escalated in that town with riots, the burning of businesses and conflict with police.

"What we decided to do was come together as a people of faith,” Metropolitan Baptist Pastor Dr. Ray Owens said. “And do what we believe works and that is spend time in prayer."

Metropolitan Baptist Church, located in the 1200 block of West Apache, invited the public to attend. The vigil began at 6 p.m. and was still underway after 7 p.m.

At least nine different religious leaders spoke as candles were lit as a sign of unity.

Those at the vigil say the discussion isn't just about what happened in Missouri; they say it's a discussion that affects Tulsa and the nation.

"It's also about bringing attention to a problem that we know has been persistant in our history as a nation and that is what we sometimes consider a kind ohierarchyhy in terms of the value of life," Owens said. "We want to make sure that we leave this place affirming that all bodies and all human beings matter equally."