United Methodist congregations pray, grieve and speak for peace after shootings in their city
See complete story on Storify.
Jul 18, 2015 6:45 PM EDT -- The 887 churches of Holston Conference are close-knit. Their pastors are appointed to new congregations every few years, moving in and out of the cities and rural communities of east Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and north Georgia. Church members from different states and towns join in meetings and worship services throughout the year. They know each other.
So when news of the July 16 shootings of military personnel in Chattanooga, Tenn., began to tear through news and social-media networks, Holston pastors and lay members were hurt and stunned. They responded.
Some United Methodist churches opened their doors for prayer ...