“To stand as a light in the darkness,” said Rev. Janice Bye, Shippensburg University's campus minister, as she led the vigil in remembrance of the attacks in Paris. SU students gathered on Nov. 17 in front of the Ezra Lehman Library in a moment of silence for the fallen victims of Paris.
The ceremony started with a brief prayer led by Bye, followed by the lighting of candles. Bye said that she and members of the United Campus Ministry wanted to do something to honor those who lost their way.
“It’s great that we’re acknowledging the brokenness in the world,” said SU Senior TJ Renninger. Rebecca Ward, director of SU's women’s and gender studies program, said that it is great to spread peace when the world feels like it is falling apart and that it is nice to feel like people are doing something and to send positive thoughts to people. Ward then read a poem that was a favorite of a former student.
SU freshman Zach Miller said that it was a good that the campus was uniting against violence and making people aware that if we come together we can cause change.
As the vigil came to a close, Miller sang John Lennon’s “Imagine” while Dietrich Grakauskas accompanied him on the guitar.
Bye gave a speech at the close of the ceremony and thanked those who attended.
“If we’re seeking peace on earth – it begins with us,” Bye said.
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