Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
Churchgoers in prayer at the March Pen/Corletts roads united church service under the theme 'One People, One Community Under God', at the Corletts Road Community Centre playfield, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, yesterday. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
A CALL for gunmen to hand over their weapons to church leaders and other public figures echoed through the service of peace and unity at the Corletts Road Community Centre in St. Catherine, yesterday.
The service, which was held under the theme, 'One People, One Community Under God', saw hundreds of church members and residents from the March Pen and Corletts Road communities in attendance.
The Rev'd. Rowan Edwards, chairman of the Spanish Town Ministers Fraternal, implored gunmen to stop firing their gun and turn to a life of peace. His call was endorsed by the Rev'd. Eric Antonio, who added, "We don't only want you people to stop firing the gun, we need for you to bring them to us."
Rev'd. Edwards told the gathering that for too long the people of the area had become accustomed to the burial of young men from the inner city. He declared that more peace initiatives like that of Corletts and March Pen roads need to be made.
POSITIVE METHODS OF SELF-EXPRESSION
Member of Parliament, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, told the men present that they need to meet with a pastor and change their lifestyle. The MP told them, "Cuss if yu waan cuss, but stop firing the guns." She said there were positive methods of self-expression that did not include killing each other.
These views were welcomed by hundreds in attendance, several of whom sat in trees and other areas to view what was going on. Some onlookers said it was a welcome change to the community and vowed to continue strengthening the initiative.
During the service, an invitation was extended for citizens of Upper and Lower March Pen to hold hands and sing.
Also participating in the service were: Mayor of Spanish Town, Andrew Wheatley, Custos of St. Catherine, Sophia Azan, and Member of Parliament, Sharon Hay-Webster.
The unity church service was organised by the Corletts and March Pen Road Development Committee, the St. Catherine North police, Jamaica Social Investment Fund and the Social Development Commission.
