Service offered 'hope and healing'

Around 200 people gathered at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 228 Spring St., for a nondenominational Community Service of Hope and Healing Thursday night.

The Rev. C.B. Baker said Friday that the service was held to help the community heal from recent tragedies, including the death of 18-month-old Thomas Naramore.

The 18-month-old boy, the son of Division 2 Garland County Circuit Court Judge Wade Naramore, died of "excessive heat" after being left for an undetermined period of time in a car July 24.

Baker, who officiated at the Naramores' wedding five years ago and who conducted the funeral service for his father, Ron, in June, wrote a guest column for The Sentinel-Record earlier this week addressing the tragedy and the "ugly responses," particularly on social media, that followed in the wake of Thomas Naramore's death.

Baker said Thursday's service was generally focused, with no specific names used, and allowed people to come together and to show Hot Springs is not a hateful place after seeing some of the "ugly comments" made on social media.

Baker said he felt the comments have only made people's pain worse.

A Garland County sheriff's deputy provided security, but Baker said there were no disruptions during the service.

"It was just people who wanted to come and be supportive and prayerful. It was a wonderful atmosphere," said Baker.

He said the service was good for the community and those in attendance thanked him.

In addition to Baker, Hal Koppel, a local dentist and member of the Congregation House of Israel, spoke to the attendees. The short service also included hymns and ended with the lighting of candles. Baker described it as a very moving service with a lot of tears.

First United Methodist worked with St. Luke's to organize the service.

Baker said St. Luke's has no plans to do another event like this one, but they will be attentive to the mood to provide what the community needs to help to move beyond the tragedy.

Local on 08/01/2015

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