Naomi Larson
CHETWYND – More than 100 people gathered Thursday evening for a prayer vigil in memory of the victims of the Tumbler Ridge shootings.
Despite the cold temperatures and wind that made it difficult to keep candles lit, residents stood together in quiet reflection at Spirit Park showing support and solidarity during a difficult time.
The vigil was hosted by the Chetwynd Shared Ministry and drew people from across the community and surrounding area. Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the BC Ambulance Service also attended, standing alongside residents in remembrance. Several local pastors shared words of comfort, focusing on compassion, healing and community strength.
Organizers said the strong turnout reflected the close ties between Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge, and the desire to stand with those affected.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
Does tumbler ridge have a facility where they could have volunteers to make coffee & tea and let the people who live there have a place to meet each day to talk and be comforted and share their stories…for as long…days, weeks, months to aid those who are grieving not to isolate or feel alone.
Hey Marg.
The community centre has been designated the healing facility/media-free-zone, and that’s exactly what’s happening there. You have a big open foyer where people can chat, a hall with a few meeting rooms where the professionals are offering counselling, an indoor play park and the library, as well as the arena, the pool, and hopefully tomorrow, the teen centre. (The person who is most connected to the teens was in the hospital the last few days, but is feeling better.) I don’t know how long it will be like that, but for now.