Community joins hands in prayer following shooting

CLOVIS — People deal with tragedy in a variety of ways, but for several members of Kingswood United Methodist Church, help from a higher power was needed.

After two people were killed and four were injured in a shooting at the Clovis-Carver Public Library Monday afternoon, the congregation gathered that evening to surrender their troubles to God.

"There is nothing to be said that makes sense of what has happened. It is hard for us, as human beings, to see the full brokenness of who we are — all of us, every single one of us," said Pastor Bill Case, before commencing an hour of prayer.

"Everybody is broken in some way, shape, or form, and it is difficult when we come face to face with that."

Barbara Woolsey came to pray not only for the victims, but for the perpetrator as well.

"Their family is probably saying right now, 'Where did we go wrong?' Something's wrong with them. They're sick. They've gotta be sick," she said.

Alice Richmond said that the tragedy was too great for human beings to handle.

"Our God is a mighty one, and healer of all things, and he will be in charge of this if we let him," she said.

Michael Richmond said he came because "it's a broken world, and we lean on God because it's the only thing we can do."

After coming on her daughter's invitation, Judith Matthews prayed for guidance for all involved in the situation.

"This is Clovis, New Mexico," she said. "This doesn't happen here."

The group came together on short notice after a series of text messages, Case said.

"We pray for all of those, and bring them to God's throne, and pray for his comfort and healing and help and guidance," he said.

"This is a pretty prayer-filled congregation, so I knew they would come if asked. It's good to know they care enough about what has happened in our community to pray."