Pikesville Church Sets Vigil for Boston Bombings Victim

To show support for Erika Brannock, a victim of the Boston Marathon bombings, her family and friends have asked a Pikesville church to hold a vigil.

The Rev. Adrien Dawson said she plans to speak about "How Can We Focus on Healing?" at the event set for 8 p.m. April 18 at St. Marks on the Hill Episcopal Church, 1620 Reisterstown Rd.

"We will talk about that feeling of helplessness," Dawson said Thursday at an unrelated gathering in Owings Mills. "She will have a long journey of healing when she comes back."

All are welcome to attend, she said, noting that the vigil will help family in the Baltimore area deal with the tragedy.

"Feel free to come and offer your prayers and support for this young woman and her family who have already begun the long journey towards health and strength," Dawson later said in a statement.

Brannock, 29, is a resident of Cockeysville who is a Towson preschool teacher and a native of Ellicott City. She suffered serious injuries Monday when a bomb exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, Dawson said.

A friend is a member of the Pikesville church.

Brannock is in a Boston hospital, Dawson said. Her husband suffered burns, as well. Her sister, Nicole, of North Carolina was also injured.

According to a report by The Huffington Post, 176 were injured and three died, including an 8-year-old boy, after two explosions went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

President Barack Obama has called it "an act of terrorism," according to another Huffington Post report.

When Erika Brannock gets out of the hospital, she plans to recuperate over the summer, before she starts a new job at Davenport Preschool off of Providence Road in Towson, Dawson said.

Currently Brannock teaches 2-year-olds at Trinity Episcopal Childrens Center in Towson, according to the preschool's Facebook page.

A fund has been set up to help in the family's recovery, Dawson said. For information on donating, visit The Brannock Fund website.