An official gathering of clergy formed in Suffolk has a number of special events going on, including a pulpit exchange and a Thanksgiving service.

The group formed on the heels of a local prayer vigil organized following the June shooting deaths of nine church members at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C. Participants had expressed interest in continued cooperation and events, said the Rev. Skip Irby, who retired as pastor of West End Baptist Church.

The churches organized a pulpit exchange for the months of October and November.

Last Sunday, Suffolk Christian Church and St. Paul’s United Church of Christ switched pastors, as did Suffolk Church of God and Perfecting Saints Church of God in Christ.

Lay Pastor Lisa Cross of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church also preached at Mineral Springs Baptist Church.

The exchange continues Nov. 8 and 15. Oakland Christian United Church of Christ and Tabernacle Christian Church will exchange pastors on Nov. 8. St. John’s Episcopal Church and Open Hands Christian Fellowship will do the same on Nov. 15.

“That was our first step at trying to make some connections that hopefully will grow,” Irby said. “It was a chance to get churches to connect on a local level.”

To keep the churches and their congregations gathering on a larger level, though, the group also plans a community Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at First Baptist Church, 112 Mahan St. A love offering will be received that will go to the Salvation Army to help fund its annual Thanksgiving dinners, Irby said.

“This is an opportunity for the community to gather again in the season of thanksgiving to join together, worship and be thankful,” Irby said.

Any local clergy interested in becoming apart of Suffolk Clergy United can attend the next meeting Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. at Tabernacle Christian Church, 2500 E. Washington St.

“We’re going to talk about other ways we can connect the community on a church level and then on a larger level,” Irby said.

For more information, call Irby at 651-8887 or Bishop Carlton Upton at 539-7257.