National virtual service held for Starrville pastor killed in shooting Pastor Mark McWilliams (Source: Starrville Methodist Church) By Erin Wides | January 6, 2021 at 1:51 PM CST - Updated January 9 at 6:35 PM
SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - Three days after an East Texas pastor was shot and killed in his church, an organization out of Brooklyn, New York hosted a virtual memorial service in his honor.
Nearly 15 hundred miles away, the 67th Precinct Clergy Council first heard of Starrville Methodist Pastor Mark McWilliams death late Sunday, or early Monday, according to President Gilford Monrose.
“That of course is always so close to home. You know, we open up our churches without security all the time,” Monrose said. “We serve the community and so people are coming in and out. And for us it was very close to home. It could happen to anyone and so we saw ourselves as Pastor Mark.”
Russell Christian Church). He previously served the church as a teacher, small group leader, deacon, and elder before stepping away from leadership due a serious illness in his family.
Conley is serving as justice for the 7th District, which consists of 22 eastern Kentucky counties. He was welcomed to the state’s highest court by the other six justices, including Chief Justice
John D. Minton Jr., who administered the oath of office. Conley’s term began Monday. A more traditional investiture ceremony will take place later at the Capitol building when the pandemic eases.
Conley previously served 26 years as trial court judge for Greenup and Lewis counties.
With proper planning, shootings like the one at Starrville Methodist Church can be avoided Author: Shandel Menezes Updated: 5:44 PM CST January 11, 2021
TYLER, Texas Protecting a business from unwelcomed guests has its hang-ups, but protecting a place of worship? Security consultant Jason Wilbur says that can be extra tricky.
“That s the hardest part with church security is you re supposed to be accepting of everybody, he explained.
Credit: TEGNA
The open-door policy that many churches have leaves room for those with evil intentions, but a balance between a welcoming and safe environment exists. Finding it starts with a plan or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
When deputies arrived on scene, they found William Sellars sitting outside the church with what appeared to be gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit. Sellars told officials when he arrived at the church, he heard gunshots coming from inside. He said he then saw Woolen coming toward the front door and Woolen began shooting toward him. Sellars said he tried to run for cover, but was shot before the suspect drove off.
Another witness who was at the scene during the shooting said Pastor McWilliams opened a bathroom door and put up his hands. The pastor then told the suspect, who was holding the church s money bag, to leave the church. The witness said the pastor continued to tell the suspect to leave and took out his handgun. According to the affidavit, it was at this time Woolen rushed toward Pastor McWilliams and the two began fighting on the ground. Woolen was able to take the gun from the pastor and shot several times in the chest, the affidavit states. He then reportedly began
Starrville Methodist Church met to pray for pastor, members, one another
Starrville Prayer Service By Erin Wides | January 5, 2021 at 8:07 PM CST - Updated January 6 at 2:13 AM
SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - More than 50 people gathered at Starrville Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon for their weekly prayer meeting, which was attended by both church members and those from surrounding areas. The gathering was the first without their pastor, Mark McWilliams.
âMark was a man that absolutely loved God, thereâs no denying it, thatâs all he could talk about. He was a Christian through and through,â said wife Rosemary McWilliams, who was also injured in Sundayâs shooting incident.