Church attendance increases after attack

      Area churches surveyed saw increased attendance Sunday as people sought guidance in dealing with the fear and pain from last week?s terrorist attack.

      Dr. Jerry Kelly, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant, says that numbers were definitely up for Sunday services yesterday.

      ?I would say probably 10 to 15 percent higher attendance than normal,? said Kelly.

      Kelly shared with his congregation a special sermon focusing on allowing people to deal with the crisis as a nation, assuring them that God would direct and guide the nation through this, and how everyone needed to help each other through this time.

      Instead of having the usual adult Sunday school class, the church held an open forum, allowing people to share some of the memories the recent attack has brought to mind. Kelly said people were recalling Pearl Harbor and other life shattering events that had happened in their lives.

      Kelly says that the church will continue to open during the day for people to come and pray if they wish.