Church begins Sunday service with prayer for black and blue lives

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s been a tough week with violence across the country, and with the first Sunday since the shootings, a local church took time to pray for those who lost their lives.

Warner Temple A.M.E. Zion Church began this morning’s service with that prayer for blue and black lives. Pastor Clifford Barnett said they want all the individuals in their church , including those who are police officers, to make it home safe each day.

Barnett said he believes the key to a better community is knowing and understanding each other.

“You’ve got to recognize who your neighbors are, and be more like Christ,” Barnett said. “Be friendly, be kind, be considerate of one another because all of us are hurting. Every body’s tired, both the blue and the black, every body’s tired, and we just want this to change.”

Next Sunday, they are planning a “patriotic picnic” with Trinity United Methodist Church in hopes to unite two different Wilmington  communities.