PALMDALE – There will be a community prayer vigil for Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, at the Poncitlán Square Gazebo in Poncitlán Square, 38315 9th Street East, Palmdale.
The event is being organized to allow residents to show support for Ledford, who suffered a heart attack Sunday evening and is now in the intensive care unit at Antelope Valley Hospital.
“Medically, there is nothing that can be done at this point, he’s in good hands,” said organizer Debbie Dino. “I thought, he is so loved by this community that if we came together as faith-based people in a community prayer, that could be the best thing we could do for him at this time.”
Dino said eight church pastors representing various religious organizations in the area will be attending the community prayer vigil.
“I wanted people of all faiths to come and be in unison in praying for their mayor,” she said. “Everyone is invited, it does not matter what religious background you’re from or what your beliefs are.”
Attendees are asked to bring their own candles to the vigil. There will be poster boards for attendees to write notes of encouragement to the mayor.
Dino said family members will take the poster boards to the hospital to Ledford, who knows that the vigil is taking place.
“The mayor has given so much to this community; he tries to attend every single event that he has ever been invited to,” Dino said. “Now it’s time for the community to give back to him.”
City officials have received lots of calls regarding where people can send flowers, cards and donations in support of Ledford.
Cards may be sent to:
Mayor Jim Ledford
Palmdale City Hall
38300 Sierra Highway, Suite A
Palmdale, CA 93550
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that if people would like, they could make a donation to the memorial fund for Nathen Taylor, a former Sergeant in the U.S. Army. After eight years of service that included three tours of duty (twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan), Taylor was killed outside his brother’s home on April 21.
Those wishing to make a donation to the memorial fund for Nathen Taylor can visit any Antelope Valley Bank branch and request to donate funds to the Memorial Fund for Former Army Sgt. Nathen Taylor. Wire transfers or donations from out of state can also be made using the following routing account and savings account numbers – 122003396 (routing #) and 3010473552 (savings acct #).
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Brenda Roberts says
Hi Mayor Jim Ledford,
It was a pleasure to take care of you at Antelope Valley Hospital during your stay. I pray that all is well with you,and your Family.
You are a Great access to Antelope Valley,and a very pleasant person to talk to.
God Bless you,
Brenda Roberts
Maggie Campbell says
I did not attend because prayer is very personal. I also did not attend, once I saw who was organizing it. I was not impressed. Yes prayer at home, in your car, in private is perfectly ok. We discussed it in the Indepth Women’s Bible Study as being inappropriate.
James Ledford is alive and a vigil such as this is one that people do once the person has past on and on Memorial Day. It was sad that the organizers did not realize this when they organized it…
I looked at the photos and of the names of the organizers and I suspect it was not out of Love for James Ledford,the man, but a display, to see who else was showing up and to get time on camera and in the press to promote their organization. To get credit for doing something. I even seen one women smiling at the camera of the reporter. It seemed almost political based on those in attendance in the photos. So sad. That’s not showing love to James Ledford – the Person. Forget about his titles – think of the man and his family.
My suggestion as a fellow member of the Clergy: Pray that if it is the Lord’s will to spare his life – that it is done.. Pray that James Ledford knows the Lord and has repented for sins he is aware of and may not be aware of as we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Pray that he is not in pain and is at peace with what is happening to him. Finally display your love in your own personal way or inaccordance with the family’s wishes. Don’t show up at large gatherings such as this just to look good or to see who’s there to pray in public. It is your personal relationship with God that prompts us to obey him and to simply talk to him through prayer. You do not need to be in a crowd like that to accomplish it. This will not get your prayers through any faster and it certainly does not prove love to the person.
May God bless and keep you
Pastor Maggie Campbell, wishing the Ledford family peace, joy in this difficult time and love as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
William says
It was good that you weren’t there. A video was recorded to show Mayor Ledford how his fellow citizens love and care about him. Nothing wrong with that.
If prayer is to be private, why didn’t you keep your judgements and assessments private as well?
S. Parker says
Wow, Maggie. Still bitter about that election I see. I can’t believe you would cheapen the effort of something so pure just to promote yourself. I see you linked your comment to the “campaign” website too. YOU are the one who is politically motivated then.
You are also transparent and sad. It’s no wonder why the people turned their backs on you at election time. God bless and keep our humble mayor James Ledford.
MaggieCampbellSucks! says
Go away [removed]!
J. Ripper says
Did you pray with or in front of others at your “Indepth Women’s Bible Study?”
Stinger says
What disappointing comments. Most unseemly and clearly politically motivated in a most inappropriate time.
For shame, Maggie!
Sickened! says
You are a thoroughly disgusting human being, Maggie Campbell!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denise Latanzi says
Where I come from, when people get sick, we pray for them. The bible says that when 2 or more people come together in prayer, the Lord is with them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the community coming together in a healing prayer, its what is right, and what is appropriate.
I’m not a fan of Rex Parris, but I pray for his recovery every day, and I have prayed with others for his recovery. It’s simply what decent people do.
really says
Ace… Why?…We live in a country that was founded on freedom of religion,speech and the right to assemble…if you dont agree with the church thats fine but why cast aspersions on people who unite to show support and build a sense of community… You come off as a weenie when you decry the state of the AV in most posts then belitle people for showing compassion…