LEXINGTON, Ky. - Several central Kentucky ministers will gather in downtown Lexington to hold a memorial for the victims of the Connecticut elementary school shooting on the same weekend as a large gun show.
The sermon planned for Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church changed following the December 14th massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. A couple of days later, a church member suggested that a memorial be held on January 5 – the same weekend as the Lexington Gun & Knife Show at the Convention Center.
Rev. Kyle Brown, Associate Pastor at Maxwell Street, says the event is not intended to be a gun protest.
“It’s about being a presence, being a witness, to remember those that have lost their lives to gun violence, to lift up prayers, to light a candle, and to share our hope for peace in a world that sometimes is marred by unexplainable violence.”
At least 16 pastors from area churches have confirmed they will attend the memorial, set for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Triangle Park. Organizers have also invited gun enthusiasts and the gun show's promoter, R.K. Shows, Inc., to speak.
“We might go about it different ways, but I think we want to see the end of violent acts that have been caused by guns and at the hand of guns. So we hope that they’ll come and join us and that together we can have a service of remembrance,” says Brown.
R.K. Shows, Inc., has not commented on the memorial. Pastors wishing to speak or light a candle should contact Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church by e-mailing kyle@maxpres.org or calling 859-255-1074.
