Geeseytown Church Preaches Healing This Christmas

Geeseytown, Blair County - Geeseytown this Christmas Eve night is filled with heavy hearts.

WTAJ News spoke with a local religious leader trying to help start the healing process.

We spoke to the Pastor at Geeseytown Lutheran Church. He's one of the many local leaders trying to give guidance and spiritual advice during
this trying time.

Pastor Mike Rhyne's trying to hold a community together this Christmas.

"The community's gotten past the initial shock of it, now they're moving towards that long process of trying to figure out how do you move on?"

Rhyne's sermon this Christmas Eve will focus healing, just days after one of the most tragic shootings in the area's history.

"I think a lot of comfort comes from friends, family and neighbors who can gather around, especially for those families who lost members for them to be surrounded by the community and their churches. I think that is how you begin the healing process."

But he says it's hard to find light in a dark situation.

"...As tragic as this event is, if it's going to have to happen any time, near Christmas or near Easter, makes us be able to more easily be able to point to the grace and mercy of God..."

Pastor Rhyne says most people in the area are just trying to help in any way they can. He thinks doing nice things for those around you makes a big difference. In short, actions speak louder than words.

"It's around Christmas time, and everyone's kind of predisposed to be kind, to be good to be loving, I think that's the answer, that's how we stand up against the darkness.

Pastor Rhyne's one of the religious leaders trying to give guidance to members of the Juniata Valley Gospel Church. They lost their Pastor just eight days before the shootings. He says they'll continue to offer support throughout the holidays, and into the New Year.