Vigils for Healing

Spiritual observances

The vigils we hold, called Vigils for Healing, are public interfaith spiritual observances to mark loss of life in Forsyth County, NC, due to violence. The vigils are held outdoors, year round, at or near the murder site, usually several months after the murder. They last about 30 minutes. Loved ones of the victim, citizens living near the murder site, area congregations, and the general public are invited to attend. All are allowed time speak.

Vigils for Healing differ from traditional eulogies in that we don’t just mourn the death of the victim and offer support to the victim’s loved ones, although this is a main focus. A larger aim is to spiritually embrace everyone affected by the violent death—including those arrested for the murder and their loved ones, who also suffer, and those who live and work near the murder site; to reclaim the murder site as God’s good creation and life-affirming space; and to promote a larger conversation within our community about the causes and effects of violence. By providing members of our community the opportunity to physically ‘stand with’ those directly affected by violence, the vigils provide a forum for people from all walks of life to publicly express their commitment to non-violence and their empathy for the suffering of their neighbors.

Currently there is an overwhelming silence from the community after loss of life due to violence. We feel that violent death deserves reflection and response, not complacency—especially when so many murders involve young people in their teens and twenties. We feel that to ignore this violence is to implicitly accept it. Ultimately, Vigils for Healing encourage the changing of community norms from a passive acceptance of violence to an active rejection of it on moral, ethical, and spiritual grounds.

Vigils are lead on a rotating basis by clergy of all faiths who join our volunteer Clergy Team. The vigils seek to tap into the diverse spiritual life of our community to promote peace and encourage the process of healing. We have been holding vigils since January 2006.

To receive email invitations to upcoming Vigils for Healing, Contact Us.