Skip to content
Author
UPDATED:

On June 17 in the basement of one of our sister Methodist churches, 13 people gathered for Bible Study. Several others were in the building as well. Dylan Roof, a 21 year old white man, was visiting the Bible Study for the first time and asked to sit next to the Pastor, Clementa Pickney. Dylan participated at first by listening and then disagreeing as they discussed the Scripture.

After an hour he is reported to have asked, “Y’all want something to pray about? I’ll give you something to pray about.” He took a gun out of his fanny pack and pointed it at 87 year old choir member, Susie Jackson. Her nephew Tywanza Sanders tried to talk the gunman down, but before the hour was over, Dylan had reloaded five times, and shot 10 people, only one of whom survived. Those who died in the church basement that day, from oldest to youngest were:

Susie Jackson (87) — a Bible study and church choir member

Daniel Simmons (74) — a pastor who also served at Greater Zion AME Church in Awendaw

Ethel Lee Lance (70) — the church sexton

Myra Thompson (59) — a Bible study teacher

Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd (54) — Bible study member and manager for the Charleston County Public Library system; sister of Senator Malcolm Graham

Depayne Middleton-Doctor (49) — a pastor who was also employed as a school administrator and admissions coordinator at Southern Wesleyan University

Sharonda Coleman-Singleton (45) — a pastor; also a speech therapist and track coach at Goose Creek High School

Clementa C. Pinckney (41) — the church pastor and a South Carolina State Senator

Tywanza Sanders (26) — a Bible study member; nephew of Susie Jackson. Tywanza’s mother and 5 year old niece were also at the Bible Study that night but survived the shooting by pretending to be dead.

The shooter said the killings were racially motivated because he was trying to reignite a race war. He ignited something! Since the shooting last week at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, six predominantly African American Churches have been burned. The first three I have listed here have been confirmed to have been caused by arson, while the last three are still under investigation.

Monday, June 20th: College Hills Seventh Day Adventist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee

Tuesday, June 21st: God’s Power Church of Christ in Macon, Georgia

Wednesday, June 22: Briar Creek Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina

Wednesday, June 22: Fruitland Presbyterian Church in Gibson County, Tennessee (possibly lightning, not arson)

Friday, June 26: Glover Grover Baptist Church in Warrenville, South Carolina (arson suspected)

Friday, June 26: Greater Miracle Apostolic Holiness Church in Tallahassee, Florida (started by tree limb on electrical line, not known if tree limb used by arsonist).

Since 1956 there have been a documented 91 historically African American churches that have been victims of shootings, bombings or arson. In this recent week alone there were seven. My heart is heavier than words can describe and yet words must be spoken in the face of such evil.

To find words of hope and healing we need go no further that the surviving family members from Charleston: “I forgive you,” the daughter of victim Ethel Lance, 70, said through tears to Roof, who appeared at the bond hearing via video-conferencing from jail. “You took something very precious from me and I will never talk to her ever again. I will never be able to hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul.”

And she was not alone in expressing grace and forgiveness.

Forgiveness in the face of evil, is not new, but it is rare. I am reminded of Jesus, as he was dying on the cross, a victim of not racial, but religious intolerance, saying: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NLT

Dylan Roof felt righteous and justified in his actions, saying “I have to do this.” The law abiding and righteousness seeking Pharisees also felt justified. Still, the family members forgave Dylan, seeing him as a PERSON, not their enemy. Jesus forgave the Pharisees, because they too were children of God.

It would be easy to be paralyzed by grief, and overwhelmed by the evil of violence and intolerance, but there are things we can do when we refuse to be held captive to hate. Baby steps we can take on the path to the kingdom of heaven that Jesus said was within us (See Luke 17:21):

#1 WEEP

Jeremiah once lamented: “They treat the wound of my people as if it were nothing: “All is well, all is well,” they insist, when in fact nothing is well.” Jeremiah 6:14CEB

Racism and hate for people different from oneself, has always existed in our country and its power is destructive. Don’t deny it. Weep over it! Let your heart be broken over it as Jesus’ heart was once broken. When Jesus looked upon the city of Jerusalem “he wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known this day the things that make for peace!’” See Luke 19:41-44

Acknowledge the painful reality of division and hate in our nation and weep over it. Tears, not denial, are the beginning of healing.

#2 Forgive and Seek Forgiveness

Perhaps you have been a victim of racism. Perhaps you have participated, knowingly or unwittingly in racist systems. Perhaps you have been hurt by the intolerance of others. Perhaps you hurt someone else by your action or inaction. There are certainly wounds enough to go around. You can choose to be held captive to the pain and self righteousness or you can choose to forgive and seek forgiveness. Don’t know how to begin? Look at Ethel Lance, crying, in pain, but still proclaiming in faith, “I forgive you.” Or act upon the advice of Jesus found in Matthew 5:22-24. “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment … Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift.”

It is within our power to make things right with those who have been wounded by our actions and it is within our power to forgive the unforgivable. Others have shown us the way.

#3 Choose Love

When in doubt choose love. Paul put it this way to the Romans (12:17-19 MSG): “Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Don’t insist on getting even and don’t insist on being right, as he said to the Corinthians (13:4-7 VOICE): “Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious, doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about. There’s no arrogance in love; 5 it’s never rude, crude, or indecent — it’s not self-absorbed. Love isn’t easily upset. Love doesn’t tally wrongs 6 or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight! 7 Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures

no matter what.”

#4 Transform the World

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven… if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” See Matthew 18:17-19 NIV.

It is in our power to be the ones who bind the wounds and heal the hearts.

Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth serves as pastor for United Christian Parish in Lakeport

Originally Published:

RevContent Feed

Page was generated in 1.9203658103943