But this was understandable. After all, it cannot be too often Christians form innumerable denominations, Moslems, Jews and members of the Baha'i Community come under one roof for a service.

Yesterday, however, at St. Paul's AME Church in Hamilton they did just that -- putting aside their differences for 90 minutes for a common aim: To pray for peace in an increasingly violent Bermuda.

Roughly 100 people turned up for the lunchtime service organised by the Bermuda Interfaith Network, a group of people from various religious backgrounds.

In a series of sermons, religious leaders urged Bermuda to unite against violence and recognise the worth in themselves.

The Rev. Conway Simmons, from the AME Church, spoke of the damaging influence of television.

Warning TV had replaced the Bible for some in society, he called for a return to family values -- a theme picked up by other speakers.

Moslem Community spokesman Imam Ameer Shakir described violence as a symptom of a disease.

"Religious people are surgeons and we can exorcise this evil,'' he said, stressing man had the power to allow the good in him to triumph.

Leaders of the Physical Abuse Centre and Women's Resource Centre made a joint address, speaking of their shared goals in tackling violence at home.

The PAC's Mrs. Arleen Swan read out a letter in memory of Chamber of Commerce secretary Mrs. Rochelle Marcia West, who was stabbed to death at work, allegedly by her estranged husband.

After the service, one of the organisers, the Rev. Mark Tremblay, from St.

Andrew's Church, said he was pleased by the attendance.