CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) β Members of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, have welcomed the world back into their sanctuary for the first Sunday service since a gunman opened fire during a Bible study and killed nine church members.
Messages of love, recovery and healing were interspersed throughout the service. For added security, police officers stood watch.
The Rev. Norvel Goff, a presiding elder of the 7th District AME Church in South Carolina, led Sunday’s service. He was appointed to lead the historic Charleston church after Emanuel’s senior pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, was shot and killed. A black sheet was draped over Pinckney’s usual chair, which sat empty Sunday.
Goff said, “Through it all God has sustained us and has encouraged us. Let us not grow weary in well-doing.”
As Emanuel’s congregation belted out a gospel hymn, church bells rang throughout downtown Charleston.
Sound:
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159-w-33-(Warren Levinson, AP correspondent, with DaLisa Hutchinson, Emanuel A.M.E. Church parishioner)–The historic black church wounded by a mass killing has reopened its doors to the congregation. AP correspondent Warren Levinson reports. (21 Jun 2015)
< 161-a-17-(Shann Laribo (shawn LA’-rih-boh), Charleston resident, in AP interview)-“moment like this”-Charleston resident Shann Laribo says Charleston’s spirit of forgiveness comes from a higher power. ((note length of cut)) (21 Jun 2015) < 160-a-06-(Cindy Brown, Charleston resident, in AP interview)-“this represents America”-Charleston resident Cindy Brown says she’s gratified to see people from around the country visiting the church. (21 Jun 2015) < 141-a-09-(Norvell Goff, Presiding Elder, preaching at Emanuel A.M.E. Church service)-“of God’s church”-Presiding Elder Norvell Goff says he was relieved to have the church they call Mother Emanuel reopened for services. (21 Jun 2015) < 151-w-36-(Warren Levinson, AP correspondent, with Norvell Goff, Presiding Elder)–Members of Charleston’s Emanuel A.M.E. Church assembled to pray and remember their dead. AP correspondent Warren Levinson reports. (21 Jun 2015) < 153-r-38-(Sound of congregation in Emanuel AME Church, singing “Blessed Assurance”)–Sound of congregation in Emanuel AME Church singing “Blessed Assurance.” (21 Jun 2015) <
