Jamaicans were urged to take a stand against violence in the society Saturday as mourners gathered at Fellowship Tabernacle in St Andrew for the funeral service of Stephan McLaren.

The 17-year-old Calabar High School student was stabbed to death on New Year’s Day on Hagley Park Road in St Andrew, after leaving a party. It was reported that while walking with a group of friends, McLaren stopped along the way indicating that he wanted to urinate. One of his friends said soon after he rushed to them saying he was stabbed.

On Saturday, Reverend Merrick “Al” Miller used his sermon to call the nation to action.

“It is not merely enough to be outraged. It is not merely enough to be saddened at what is happening. It is not merely enough even to weep over what is happening. Outrage calls for action! You gotta do something about it if you’re outraged,” he said.

“Will the death of this young man bring home to reality that we need to take a stand? How many more young men must die? How many more children must die? How many of our women must be killed and abused before we, as a society, say enough is enough?” Miller asked.

He encouraged the congregation to be spurred to action.

“It is really sad today that Stephan is another untimely, unnecessary and senseless death, and it is becoming more common in our nation,” Miller said.

Making reference to the death of young Nicholas Francis — the Jamaica College student who was stabbed to death for a cellphone while on his way home last year — the clergyman criticised the state of the nation and called for a reshaping.

“We have to come to a point when we say this must not continue in Jamaica,” he said, while hitting the casket with the body of the slain teen. “There must come a time when, as a nation, we say enough is enough.”

McLaren, a cricketer, was remembered for his passion and determination to excel.

Warren Robinson, a friend who played cricket with McLaren at Melbourne Cricket Club, revealed that McLaren had hopes of pursing his passion professionally.

“Wi mek so many plans together,” an emotional Robinson said in his tribute. “Him did a work fi play fi Jamaica under 19 team and me fi di senior. It really nuh sink in yet seh him gone,” he stated in tears.

He recounted, before breaking down, the night they spent together before McLaren’s murder.

“Him a di best friend mi could ever ask fah,” he said after a heavy sigh. “Wi did deh a Waterfront an wi hear shot a fire so we decide fi lef. Stephan say wi fi go Limelight an wi move go up deh, cause wi did waan enjoy wiself fi di new year,” he said between sobs.

“But wi lef an mi turn mi back fi jus a minute an dis happen to di man. If mi did know mi wouldn’t mek wi lef Limelight,” Robinson recounted.

McLaren started attending Calabar last September after successfully sitting his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams at Pembroke Hall High School. Naturally, he joined the cricket team at Calabar, where he improved his skill.

Principal Albert Corcho spoke of the teen’s discipline and willingness to learn.

“He was an organised young man who knew exactly what he wanted. He knew that at the end of fifth form he would have performed well because he knew he wanted to come to sixth form at Calabar. Very rarely you find them so young, so organised and know exactly what they want,” Corcho said.

“Stephan the cricketer was unbelievable. When he came and started training, from day one we saw the leadership qualities. We had no doubt this young man brought a high level of professionalism to our team,” the principal added.

But not only was he a well rounded cricketer, one of his schoolmates revealed that McLaren was good with his hands and would sometimes repair their damaged cricket bats for free.

“Stephan was always serious when it came on to school- work and cricket. Stephan trained three times for the week, always telling us that he was going home to study,” he said, expressing regret that he wasn’t able to play many matches with his friend.

“This cricket season will be dedicated to Stephan and even if we do not win the competition, my team and I will ensure that we do our best in honour of our teammate,” he declared.

McLaren’s sister, Kayon Burton, noted her brother’s confidence.

“I’m going to miss him,” she said. “I admired his humility. He is very humble.

“His dedication to sports is one you can’t help but admire,” added Burton.

She urged mourners to remember “good moments” with Stephan and rejoice in them.