Religious, spiritual and community leaders from across the region gathered Sunday in Glencoe to give the North Shore community the space to begin healing from the recent July 4 shooting in Highland Park.
Sunday’s service took place outside in the garden of Glencoe Union Church, under pristine blue skies, gathering interfaith community members together.
The event, Glencoe Stands with Highland Park, was co-sponsored by the Glencoe Clergy Association, the Village of Glencoe and Family Services of Glencoe, respectively.
The program brought together religious, spiritual and community leaders from across the region, including: Dr. Barbara Javore, Glencoe Clergy Association president; Rev. Erin Raska, Glencoe Union Church; Rev. Steve M. Lanza, Divine Mercy Parish; Kristina Phillips, executive director Family Services of Glencoe; Rabbi Steven Lowenstein, Am Shalom; Exeter Johansson, St. Paul AME Church; Hilary Scott, co-chair Glencoe Council for Inclusion and Community and others, with opening remarks by Glencoe village president, Howard Roin.
“I am angry because gun massacres like the one in Highland Park have become routine.” Roin said. “Currently, there are over 400 million guns in the United States, including assault weapons and only a ban on assault weapons can reduce this carnage.
The simple purpose of Sunday’s event, organizers say, was to bring people together. When the light of individuals is shared in prayer, there can be hope.
Rev. Steve M. Lanza of Divine Mercy Parish said when we reflect on the July Fourth tragedy, we have to also think about those who stepped up to help, at great personal risk to themselves.
Rev. Lanza said these individuals reminded him of St. Francis and his prayer of peace.
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light…,” Lanza said.
Rabbi Steven Lowenstein, of Am Shalom said our hearts are broken for the seven innocent victims and their families: Katherine Goldstein, 64, of Highland Park, Irina McCarthy, 35 and her husband Kevin McCarthy, 37, of Highland Park, Stephen Straus, 88, of Highland Park, Jacquelyn “Jacki” Sundheim, 63, of Highland Park, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78, of Morelos, Mexico, and Eduardo Uvaldo, 69, of Waukegan.
“The pain is palpable and we pray in the Jewish tradition of healing the body and the spirit for all who have been effected since 10:14 a.m. on July 4 and every moment since then, we find strength from God’s healing prayers,” said Lowenstein
Here, Keri Ruzicka (6) and Brandynn Ruzicka (8) visit with comfort dogs.
Rev. David Wood of Glencoe Union Church gave some parting words for going forward.
“By gathering together, we drive out the darkness, gathering itself is act of protest, we must not forsake our right to gather together,” Wood said.
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Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.