Prayer meeting to promote Charleston Police Fund Illumination Project

Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen, Mayor Joe Riley and other community leaders announced Project Illumination at City Hall in September.

An effort by the Charleston faith community to promote better relations between police and residents kicks off Monday with a prayer meeting.

A prayer gathering for the Charleston Police Fund’s Illumination Project is set for 9 a.m. at Circular Congregational Church at 150 Meeting St. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley will start the 30-minute event.

The initial prayer gathering is aimed at “providing faith-based support of the project in diverse forums and to develop positive relationships across congregations,” according to the announcement.

“We all saw the power of forgiveness displayed by members of the Emanuel AME Church, insuring a civil and precedent-setting response to the grievous crimes against their church family,” Charleston Police Fund Executive Director Mark Ruppel said in a statement. “It is this spiritual foundation we seek for the Illumination Project.”