Members from the Kingston-Galloway community gathered at a Scarborough church Sunday evening to plead for an end to the recent violence that has shaken the city.

The east-end community is still reeling from a deadly shooting at a block party Monday that killed two and wounded 23 others.

Victims Shyanne Charles, 14, and Joshua Yasay, 23, died after being shot at the outdoor party on Danzig Street.

The Progress Church held a special outdoor service to bring the community together and show a united front against the recent gun violence.

Pastor Lovelace St. John directed his message to youth in gangs.

“I say to you put down the gun and choose life. Choose life. Choose success,” he said. “Choose personal responsibility, choose love over hate. There is a better way, the choice is yours today,” he urged.

Churchgoers in Mississauga also joined in the call to end the violence. Nearly 2,000 worshippers packed the pews at the Praise Cathedral Worship Centre.

During the service, Bishop Lennox Walker talked about the critical role fathers play in the lives of their sons.

“We need to be fathers. It is obvious that many homes have been broken, many children are left in a state of anger and betrayal. Fatherless girls are forced to look for love in all the wrong places and fatherless boys only follow the role of the gangsters. We cannot allow the gang leaders to father our boys. Daddy… go back home,” said Walker.

Fathers who attended the Mississagua service told CTV Toronto that they agreed with many of Walker’s words.

“I have two children,” said parent Charles Matthews. “I have a son and in that role I agree with him. But in my daughter’s role, I want her to see what a man is supposed to be and what a dad is supposed to be, so that when she gets older she looks for those same qualities.”

Walker is just one of many community leaders who are calling for increased programs targeting young boys. They’d like to see more after-school programs, summer camps and academic programs that encourage boys to pursue college and university.

In response to the recent violence, Mayor Rob Ford will meet with Premier Dalton McGuinty and Police Chief Bill Blair on Monday to ask for increased police funding.

With a report from CTV Toronto’s Karlene Nation