With people across the world, the North Carolina Council of Churches grieves with the congregation of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC. This kind of violence against people of faith in other parts of the world has recently and rightfully been called terrorism. Indeed, the people of Emanuel AME have experienced a terrorist act. Fear and violence invaded their space of grace and hospitality while they were together for the faith filled purpose of prayer and worship. As they welcomed the stranger into their midst, an act of faith commanded by the very scriptures they had gathered to study, their gesture of hospitality was met by hatred.
Whether this act comes to be labeled a hate crime or a terrorist act, we stand with the people of Emanuel and with people of faith across the world who refuse to let fear rule our lives and violence dictate our response. We call on people of faith across our constituency to name the righteous anger all of us feel in the wake of this crime. Once again easy access to guns is a vehicle for senseless death, compounded on this occasion by the heartbreak of racial targeting. We lift the congregation of Emanuel and the people of Charleston, SC, in their worship services this weekend. We pray especially for the families of each church member killed, including the family of Clementa Pinckney, pastor of Emanuel AME. Each of their lives is another testimony to the hard and crucial work we still face as a nation. May God continue to embolden each of us to continue marching for justice, peace, and the well-being of all.
–The Rev. George Reed, Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches, and the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, incoming Executive Director of the Council
Rev. Melissa Acres says
June 24, 2015 at 8:54 pmCongregational members of the church I serve have all signed a letter of sympathy to the members of the Mother Emanuelle. We offer our prayers of support, healing, and continued strength. We stand with our brothers and sisters of faith and extend our hands in Christian love. We pray for an end to hate crimes, and we look heavenward for the day all barriers are forever torn down. May we truly see one another through the eyes of God.
Peace and Justice in the name of Christ,
Rev. Melissa Acres
First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Macclesfield, NC
John White says
June 23, 2015 at 8:05 amThe New Testament is replete with metaphors and now we have the Charleston shooting.
In 1965, white Christians joined with their brothers and sisters and marched in Selma–for voting rights and justice. Like Jesus, they stood for what is right in a non-violent manner.
One can view Charleston as our Selma — a call for pastors and congregations to do what is right — march and protest for control of weapons in a non-violent manner.
Will you go to Selma?