Community leaders and local pastors in Sanford held a day of prayer Monday at seven local churches less than 48 hours removed from the not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman trial.
There's no question that Trayvon Martin's death and Zimmerman's trial for second-degree murder has impacted life for people in and around Sanford, and now that it's over, many want to move forward.
That's the idea behind Monday's prayer sessions, organized by a group called Sanford Pastors Connecting.
The prayer sessions ran from noon to 1 p.m. Monday at seven churches around Sanford:
- Harvest-Time International - 225 N. Kennel Road, Sanford
- First United Methodist Church - 419 S. Park Ave., Sanford
- Greater New Mt. Zion Baptist Church - 1720 Pear Ave., Sanford
- Allen Chapel AME Church - 1203 Olive Ave., Sanford
- New Life Word Center - 1311 Oak Ave., Sanford
- Getting Your House In Order Ministries - 2400 Chase Ave., Sanford
- Rescue Church of God - 1700 Historical Goldsboro Blvd., Sanford
The collaboration started in the wake of the fatal shooting last year to help unite the community and improve relations.
The participating pastors sat in during much of the Zimmerman trial and talked to demonstrators outside the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center, calling for unity and peace.
The group also held a special service on Sunday, where many churchgoers talked about how the trial has affected their lives in Sanford.
"Even though the verdict was done the way it was done, we're still going to keep hope alive," said Areitious C. Teemer Jr., a member of Allen Chapel AME Church. "I still feel like something is going to be done, and it's going to be done right."
Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett, Police Chief Cecil Smith and City Manager Norton Bonaparte were expected to be in attendance at Monday's prayer sessions at the New Life World Center.