Few things unify a people the way faith and spirituality do.
At that same token, few things divide a people the way racial tension does.
Such realities led to the commencement of Worship on the Water which will kick off at 2 p.m. Sunday on the levee front of Schelben Park with social distancing enforced.
Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons announced the resumption of the faith-based race-reconciliation initiative and nationally recognized Worship on the Water last week.
An announcement from the Mayor’s Office stated, “The goal of this initiative is to foster unity and promote racial harmony regardless of religious affiliation and racial identity. On the fifth Sunday of every month, Mayor Simmons hosts an interfaith, interracial faith service.”
The announcement also stated that due to COVID-19, services were held via Zoom.
With the city-wide mask mandate being lifted, Simmons has elected to move services back to Schelben Park.
Steven Cantu, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church located at 3210 Highway 82 E., will deliver Sunday’s message.
“There, he has instilled in his congregation to restore the image of Christ in man mentally, spiritually, socially, and physically through the good news of the gospel and the incarnated love of Christ for mankind,” the announcement stated. “The musical selection will be brought by New Jerusalem M.B. Church under the leadership of Pastor Myron Holmes.”
“This faith-based racial reconciliation initiative is purposed on bringing people together regardless of racial identity or religious affiliation. Psalm 100 demands us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” Simmons added. “On the fifth Sunday of every month, we are asking the residents and citizens to come worship and make a joyful noise together in corporate worship.”
