A candle light vigil was held for former President Jimmy Carter after 5 pm on December 30. Singer songwriter Andrew Greer played piano. Three bowls of candles, flanked by Christmas trees, rested on the altar. Vigil goers lit candles one by one.

Pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church, Ashley Guthas, commented on the significance of the vigil. “I think just the opportunity to offer a space for people to come and sit in the stillness, and to just simply be, so that they can grieve in whatever way their minds and their hearts needed to, I think that was important for us to do.”

When asked if she thought participants were deeply affected by the vigil, Guthas replied; “sometimes with a vigil, when there’s a lot of silence, it’s hard to know what’s happening in someone’s heart and mind, but I do think that there were some pretty deep emotions shared tonight among some of the individuals who came, and I’m hoping that the tears that were shed were healing for them.”

Guthas also spoke of Carter’s legacy. “One of the things that I’ve heard throughout the day with different reporters or different individuals who’ve been interviewed is peace, and how Jimmy Carter, President, Carter, stood for so much peace.”

Greer also commented after the service. When asked about his performance, he was quick to offer a correction. “I was it was not performance, which is what was beautiful about it. It was this music accompaniment.” He told how he used music to honor Carter by honoring others gathered there. “I love it when music can be a bed, you know, can be an accompaniment to our feelings, to our thoughts, and to our memories.”

Greer also commented on Carter’s legacy, sharing what left an impression on him. “How President Carter and Mrs. Carter sought to live their lives in the way of Jesus, at least, how they interpreted that, and I think they interpret that in the way of peace and of love.”

For more stories about Jimmy Carter please go to www.americustimesrecorder.com/category/jimmy-carter/