Here is an excerpt from a Ventura Star story on the train crash memorial service held at the Grace Brethren Church of Simi Valley, California (John McIntosh, pastor). To read the entire story, click here.
800 gather to show support, share pain following Metrolink crash
Survivors attend Simi service
By Tom Kisken
Monday, September 15, 2008 Photo by Juan Carlo, Star staff
As the names of people who died were read Sunday night, their friends and family stood — an elderly couple in one row, a cluster of people in another, a weeping teenager on the far side of a Simi Valley church.
Hundreds of people were on their feet when the last name was read from the list of 25 victims of Friday’s Metrolink tragedy.
“If you’re sitting near someone who’s standing, I’m going to ask you to do something a little crazy,” said Moorpark pastor Tony Amatangelo, whose friend and associate pastor, Paul Long, died in the crash. “Just reach out and touch them.”
The congregation rose, some 800 gathered at Grace Brethren Church in a community service for those whose lives ended or were forever changed in the crash. Arms reached out, hands settled on shoulders to show support and share pain. “Father, we pray for understanding,” Amatangelo said.
To read an additional story from the San Jose Mercury News, click here.
A television station’s video report may be seen by clicking here.