Church prays for community unity following Ferguson

IOWA CITY - For the Rev. Anthony Smith, establishing a unified community is about taking the first step.

Smith, pastor at New Creations International Church in Iowa City, took that step with a unity service Sunday morning to pray for the family of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager shot by a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo., earlier this month. Smith said the incident sparked concern locally, and he wanted to stress the importance of having a unified community to prevent a similar situation in Iowa City.

'How can a house divided ever stand?” Smith asked his audience during the service, which received several 'Amens” in response.

In Iowa City and across the nation, the events and protests that followed Brown's death have sparked continued conversations on race and relations with law enforcement. Smith said a few weeks ago he felt called by God to hold a unity service.

'I felt there was a need - because we (in Iowa City) have a good relationship with law enforcement - that we come together as an example of strengthening and affirming that we have unity in this community,” Smith said before the service. 'And we're praying that nothing like this ever happens in Iowa City.”

Throughout the service, Smith reiterated the importance of communication with law enforcement, area leaders and neighbors. The congregation prayed for Brown, his family and the police officer who shot Brown.

Smith acknowledged feelings of frustration and anger after the Ferguson shooting but urged his congregation to turn that anger and frustration into efforts to improve the community.

Church member Donald Marshall said more work is needed in Iowa City.

'We're not unified because there's a lack of communication with each other,” he said.

The 54-year-old said making sure to invite police officials to more community activities and having a good communication between officials and residents is just one way Iowa City can make sure the events in Ferguson aren't repeated in Iowa.

Smith said local law enforcement officials, including Iowa City Police Chief Sam Hargadine, were invited to attend the service, but none did.

'There's always a sense of unrest when it comes to law enforcement and the African American community,” Smith said before the service. 'And until law enforcement leaders and leaders of the African-American community come together and establish unity, there will be unrest.”

Gwen Smith, the pastor's wife, said the community is 'to a certain extent” united, but members of her own church need to first focus on working together, an effort that can easily spread.

'(Unity) starts at home,” she said.