DATE: Friday, September 19, 1997            TAG: 9709190857

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   57 lines

PREACH ANTI-VIOLENCE, RELIGION LEADERS ASKED

Councilman Bernard D. Griffin Sr. is tired of going to funerals.

This summer the councilman attended services for three teens who were killed.

He's hoping the religious community can start a dialogue that will spur change.

Griffin said Thursday that he is asking the city's clergy to dedicate their services, starting today and ending on Sunday, to an anti-violence theme, particularly among youth.

``It seems to be dominant among some young people to handle their conflicts with guns,'' said Griffin. ``We have to improve the quality of our communities.''

The city has had 16 homicides this year, said Amber Whittaker, Portsmouth's police spokeswoman.

In July and August, many Portsmouth citizens were stunned when a series of shootings occurred around the city and at two housing complexes. Overall, however, homicides are down 11 percent from last year, Whittaker said.

The successes are due in part to stepped-up efforts over the past three years of citizens working together with police.

But there's still more work to be done, said Sgt. Steve Jackson, commanding officer for the city's crime prevention unit.

``A lot of your churches have large congregations with a captive audience. Some of them have youth ministries,'' said Jackson. ``It's just to remind the kids there are alternatives to violence. There is conflict resolution. There is mediation.''

Simonsdale Presbyterian Church hosted a healing service after 19-year-old Michael L. Hedge was shot to death in June. Hedge was shot several times while he played on a basketball court near the church.

``We have a lot to do with the health of a community,'' said Matt Matthews, pastor at Simonsdale. ``That kind of work is undervalued.''

The Rev. Kathryn Pigg, pastor at Broad Street United Methodist Church, said churches need to serve as a conscience for their communities.

``We know some people interpret the Bible to justify violence, so we need to speak out,'' she said. ``We need to be a voice who says, `We can't have this.' ''

But others, such as the Rev. Ben A. Beamer Sr., pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, cautioned that the churches can't do it by themselves. Solving violence is a community effort, not just a religious one.

``I think there are those who think we can wave a magic wand and all the problems will go away,'' said Beamer. ``We struggle with life's realities like everyone else. The difference, I think, is we have hope.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

DETAILS

What: Councilman Bernard D. Griffin Sr. would like the city's

churches to dedicate their worship services this weekend to an

anti-violence theme.

Where: All churches, temples, synagogues

When: Today, Saturday and Sunday

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu