NATCHEZ — Approximately 100 people gathered at Holy Family Catholic Church Sunday afternoon to pray for peace in the Natchez-Adams Community.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said he organized the quarterly prayer services last year after getting regular calls many nights from Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong about shootings and violent crimes in the community.

In his opening remarks, Grennell said he believes in the power of prayer and told an anecdote of his first full day of retirement from Alcorn State University on Jan. 22, 2016.

Grennell said that day was the deadline to file paperwork for candidates seeking city positions and people had been nudging him to run for mayor.

“I prayed and asked God what I was supposed to do,” Grennell said, adding his mother reminded him that morning that it was the deadline to file paperwork and then his father told him to go file the paperwork.

Grennell said he finally went down and filled out the paperwork and when he left someone on the street said, “It is a great day!”

Then later in the day, Grennell said, two other people told him, “It is a great day.”

“I know the power of prayer and what it does,” Grennell said.

Last year, Natchez had 12 murders and Adams County had two. So far this year, Natchez has had one homicide, the shooting death of artist James Henry Williams in January and the murder of Armani Hill, 4, who died as a result of child abuse in June.

Suspects have been arrested in both of those cases.

Grennell acknowledged a Friday night murder in Adams County and a few recent shooting events that injured people but that did not kill any of the victims.

Ward 6 Natchez Alderman Dan Dillard commended Armstrong for his leadership and actions he has taken since taking charge of the police force in 2017, including combining the city and county jails, finding economical ways to purchase new police cars and increasing police pay to make the force more competitive with surrounding communities.

“I am very thankful for him,” Dillard said, adding he also is thankful for Natchez Fire Chief Ventris Green and all of the city’s and county’s first responders and public works personnel.

Dillard quoted Natchez-native songwriter Glen Ballard, saying change in the community starts with “The man in the mirror.”

“You want change in the world?” Dillard said. “It starts with you.”

The Rev. Joan Gandy, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Natchez, offered a prayer for leadership in the community.

“Leadership begins with each person in the community,” Gandy said, “each person who came to be a part of this today.”

Gandy also acknowledged the dangers first responders face.

“We ask you now to bring peace,” Gandy prayed. “Hold us all as leaders to bring peace and help others bring peace.”

Musician Alvin Shelby performed “I Will Stand By You” accompanying himself on the keyboards.

The Rev. Ken Ritter offered a prayer for schools, teachers and students.

“We pray the Holy Spirit will do gracious work in their hearts,” Ritter said.

Ward 4 Natchez Alderman Felicia Irving spoke on the impact of violence in the community, distinguishing between the effects of “loud trauma” and “silent trauma” on individuals.

“Loud trauma violence reaction makes it on the evening news,” Irving said of people who act out violently in response to having experienced violence, while silent trauma makes people suffer in silence in various ways from the effects of post-traumatic stress.

Armstrong thanked and commended the Natchez Mayor and Board of Aldermen for supporting the police department and approving his requests for officer pay raises, manpower and other improvements.

“We did a lot of things after the violence last year,” Armstrong said, “but the biggest effort was prayer.”

Armstrong said the violence in Natchez and Adams County is part of a larger nationwide increase in violence and made reference to the shooting of a Madison County deputy last week and other violent events in the state and nation.

“I too wonder when it will stop,” Armstrong said. “What is it we can do? I can think of no better answer than the God we serve. I can think of no one that the God we serve cannot get back on track.”

Armstrong also encouraged members of the community to speak out when they know something about a crime or potential crime.

“We are only as good as the community we serve,” Armstrong said.

Candles were lit for victims of violence and then the Rev. John Scott Jr. prayed for all affected by violence and the first responders, many of whom made their way to the pulpit for the prayer.

Holy Family pastor, The Rev. George Ajuruchi, SSJ, offered the closing prayer and led the group in singing, “I want to be a Christian in my heart.”