United Methodists organize service of lament after brutal murder of young girl
By Jessica Brodie
COLUMBIA—United Methodists deeply grieving the horrific killing of a young girl in Columbia organized a community prayer vigil in the aftermath to help the community express lament and cling to hope.
Ka’Niyah Baker, 13, was brutally murdered by two other teen girls in a vacant home in Columbia Jan. 15. Police Chief Skip Holbrook described her death as “heinous, vicious and monstrous.”
Washington Street United Methodist Church hosted “A Service of Lament, Confession, Hope and a Call to Action Following the Death of Ka’Niyah Baker” Jan. 28.
“We had a work and a witness to share together,” said the Rev. Sheila Hodge, pastor of Virginia Wingard UMC, Columbia, who helped organize the vigil, which was also a call to action.
Hodge said what struck her about Ka’Niyah’s killing was that she was Black, and the girls who killed her were also Black.
“They killed and mutilated themselves,” Hodge said. “That’s serious stuff going on.”
The vigil began with greetings from the Rev. Becky Shirley, Washington Street’s pastor, followed by words from Hodge.
After a solo by the Rev. Fadetra Boyd, the Rev. Meg Cook of Grace UMC, Columbia, brought words of grace and Scripture, then the Rev. Antoinette Gaboton-Moss of Northeast UMC provided a litany for children hurt by violence.
“We cry out ‘Lord, help us!’ as we pledge to lock arms in solidarity to notice and care for all the Ka’Niyahs in our community,” the litany proclaimed in part. “Let our voices be heard as we speak on behalf of the welfare of all children and youth, for we know we are called to do what is just and right.”
The Rev. Tiffany Knowlin of Wesley UMC led a call to confession, then the Rev. Geneva Stafford of Francis Burns UMC led a prayer for God’s hope and strength. After a hymn, Congregational Specialist the Rev. Walter Strawther offered a poem by Marian Wright Edelman, “I Care and I Am Willing to Serve.”
The service closed with a reflection and candle lighting, proclaiming, “Together, our light is stronger than the darkness of fear. Together, we lift our lights, and we pray for courage.”