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VIGIL: A prayer service for Washington Mayor Mac Hodges and others suffering from COVID-19 was held Sunday afternoon at Festival Park in Washington. Hundreds attended the prayer service, in person or online as it was livestreamed on the Church of the Good Shepherd website. Those attending in person wore masks and stood/sat in socially distanced groups. Hodges has been hospitalized at Vidant Medical Center for several weeks and has been on a ventilator.

Attendees to the event were invited to come to the stage to say their own prayer for those suffering from the virus. Pictured (above), Washington resident Emily Blount Mayne addressed the distanced crowd; (below) those in attendance brought chairs and umbrellas for comfort in the August heat.