Charleston churches respond to shootings with grief, resolve and forgiveness

Almost a dozen churches and places of worship are within walking distance of Emanuel at the southern tip of the city, covering a variety of faiths and denominations. And on Thursday, it was a faith community shaken by the senseless killing of nine people at a Bible study – apparently only because they were black. But it was also a faith community unified. The Rev. Jeremy Rutledge, pastor for the Circular Congregational Church a few blocks from Emanuel, found at a Thursday vigil that amid the grief, there was also a recurring question. “I can’t tell you how many people were saying, ‘Where do we go from here? What do we do?’” Already, he says, things were happening in Charleston. Questions of race and justice brought to light with the police shooting of Walter Scott, an unarmed black man, in North Charleston in April had begun to kindle a new activism.

I think things were already catalyzing … and this is – I know lot of details we do not have yet – but I think if it’s possible to catalyze this community any more, this will do that.

The Rev. Jeremy Rutledge, pastor for the Circular Congregational Church

Representatives of the families of the nine victims of a fatal shooting at a black church in Charleston addressed shooting suspect Dylann Roof in court ahead of a bond hearing Friday. Several broke down in tears as they spoke of their loss, but also said they forgave Roof. “Every fiber in my body hurts, and I’ll never be the same. Tywanza Sanders was my son. But he was my hero,” said Felicia Sanders. Bond was set at $1 million on a weapons charge, but Roof will nevertheless remain in custody because no bond was set on the murder charges.

I will never be able to hold her again. But I forgive you and have mercy on your soul. It hurts me, it hurts a lot of people but God forgives you and I forgive you.

Daughter of Ethel Lance to Dylann Roof

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