Contributed report

Churches from around Powhatan County will gather for a community prayer service at Powhatan High School this Sunday.

The idea to hold the service, which will be held at 6 p.m., was conceived by a group of local Powhatan church leaders.

Those leaders said in a press release today that they are concerned about recent turmoil in the community that that arose after the murder trial of two white residents convicted of murdering African-American high school student Tahliek Taliaferro.

That fact that Ethan Parrish, the man who admitted to shooting Taliaferro, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and not first degree murder has upset many in the community and led to allegations that racism played a part in the verdict.

“Racism is neither American nor Christian.  We do not deny that racism is a part of our community’s historical past, but we adamantly refuse to allow it to be a part of our present or future,” said the press release.

Several local church leaders are expected to speak at the service, which will last about an hour.

“This is our chance to take a strong stand in our community – a chance to speak with our feet and publicly take a stand on this issue,” said the release. “It is not about the trial or the verdict – it’s about how we believe God sees skin color … [w]e will have the chance to stand together – as black folks, white folks and every color in between – and declare our unity in Jesus Christ.”