Local clergy are joining their voices with those of local Christian leaders, representatives from law enforcement, politicians and concerned citizens to call for action, prayer and unity in the face of violence.

Deacon Larry Gayton, who serves as director of multicultural ministry for the Diocese of Saginaw, joined members of the Black and Hispanic communities in response to  violence, particularly gun violence, both nationally and locally.

“This is very important work,” Deacon Larry said. “While we are called to know God and to love God, we are also called to serve God. Faith must be followed by action.”

The summer  shooting incidents have  weighed heavily on Deacon Larry’s mind, as he visited two Saginaw residents who suffered life-threatening gunshot wounds. In response to requests from the family of shooting victims, Deacon Larry visited and prayed with the victims and their spouses at a hospital in Saginaw.

“We are called to minister and pray with those suffering as they gather at the hospital. Seeing them suffering from needless violence, it’s so horrible that it just tears you up. These all are our fellow brothers and sisters.”

On June 16, Deacon Larry  joined Christian leaders, including those from the Saginaw African American Pastors group and Latino clergy and civic leaders, as well as Father Frank Voris, OFM Cap., pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Saginaw, and Father Bill Rutkowski, vicar general and representative of Bishop Robert Gruss,  to outline an action plan uniting Black and Latino communities to work together to end gun violence, led by an ecumenical partnership.

“We hope to partner with these Saginaw Christian clergy in this and other community priorities for the common good of us all. It is a beginning, and more of ‘journeying together’ with these faith leaders is planned,” Deacon Larry said.

Father Bill said he was impressed with the unity and resolve of local Christian leaders and also believes that members of the Catholic community should be aware that violence can happen in any place and that Catholics and all people should discourage the use of violence in resolving problems.

In the end, all those who gathered at the event in Saginaw agreed that the local community should work together to prevent and discourage violence and to offer ways to help. The newly-formed coalition is establishing goals to prevent gun violence and work towards unity between the Latino and Black communities.