The Body of Christ is made of many parts, and people experience their understanding of God in many different ways. On this blog, we'll consider the beliefs and activities of congregations, denominations and different religions.
Monday, June 19, 2023
The Christian Recorder - Statement from the President of the Council of Bishops Commemorating the Emanuel Nine and Survivors
June 17, 2023
To the Beloved Family of the African Methodist Episcopal Church:
In the sanctity of love and peace, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This letter comes to you as we observe the Remembrance of the Emanuel 9 – the dear souls taken from us on the tragic evening of June 17, 2015, at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. This observance is a somber yet vital moment for our church, Christians, and all Americans.
The importance of this observance goes beyond the walls of our local churches and denomination. It is a poignant reminder of the sanctity of life, the power of love, and the ongoing struggle against the evils of hate and racism. Each year, as we pause to remember, we are reaffirming our commitment to combating these evils, not just within our congregations but within our communities, our nation, and our world.
When we remember the Emanuel 9, we not only grieve their loss but also celebrate their lives, faith, and love for God. These individuals welcomed a stranger into their Bible study with open hearts and arms, embodying Christian love's very principles.
The lives lost in this devastating act of hatred have left a void that we must strive to fill not just today but throughout the year by consciously making an effort to love as they loved, to welcome as they welcomed, and to forgive as they would have forgiven.
In making this observance meaningful and powerful, consider the following:
• Community Engagement: Host forums, seminars, or workshops focusing on love, forgiveness, unity, and combating hate and racism. These should not only cater to the AME church community but should also extend to the wider community.
• Youth Involvement: Share the stories of the Emanuel 9, their lives, their faith, and their love. Equip them with the understanding that they have the power to effect change in our world.
• Acts of Kindness and Forgiveness: Encourage each member of the church to perform conscious acts of kindness and forgiveness as a tribute to the Emanuel 9 and as a manifestation of the love that we are all called to share.
Let the remembrance of the Emanuel 9 be a catalyst for each of us to be agents of change and ambassadors of Christ's love in the world.
With prayers and love,
Bishop Stafford Joe Nathan Wicker President, Council of Bishops African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.
Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder
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