Mother Emanuel AME Church Celebrates the Lives of Emanuel 9 in a Heartfelt Ceremony
In Charleston, South Carolina, a poignant commemoration ceremony took place Sunday at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. The event honored the nine members of the church’s community, collectively known as the Emanuel 9, who tragically lost their lives in 2015.
Day of Remembrance
The solemn remembrance service featured emotional tributes to the Emanuel 9 and honored the grief and courage of their friends and families. The senior pastor of Mother Emanuel AME Church, Rev. Eric Manning, aptly noted, “Every Sunday following June 17th, throughout all eternity is now a day in which every Church across the Connectional AME church, deems a day of remembrance.” He further highlighted that the memory of the Emanuel 9 will never be forgotten.
Solemn Tributes
The ceremony was filled with heartfelt words for each member of the Emanuel 9. Sister Denise Quarles, in a touching gesture, read out the names of the beloved members who lost their lives. These included the Honorable Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Rev. Daniel Simmons, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Tywanza Sanders, DePayne Middleton Doctor, Cynthia Hurd, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lance, and Susie Jackson.
Sister Quarles’ heart-wrenching words extended an empathetic connection to all attendees as she discussed the measure of loss that resulted from the unimaginable evil inflicted upon their Bible study group.
Visitors Speak of Forgiveness and Inspiration
The ceremony had a profound effect on the many listeners who were present, especially those closest to the victims. Jimmy Gutton, Brother-in-law to Sister Myra Thompson, hopes individuals can find strength and wisdom in God’s forgiveness. He commented, “He brought us through what Satan meant for evil, God turned to good.”
Evola Johnson, an out-of-town visitor from Pennsylvania, found the service uplifting and emphasized the importance of forgiveness preached during the sermon.
Resilience in Times of Turmoil
In his conclusion, Rev. Manning affirmed the resilient spirit of the Emanuel AME Church’s congregation and their continued existence as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. His profound statement, “We are still here. What the enemy tried to do, the very fact that we’re still here is a testament to God’s faithfulness”, resonated deeply with the attendees.
Despite its origins in tragedy, this day of remembrance serves as a testament to the timeless truth of resilience, compassion, and internal fortitude.
