Do you remember where you were four years ago when you heard the news of the massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C.? I didn’t hear the horrific news until the next morning on June 18 when I arrived at Sojourners’ annual Summit. In the morning plenary session, 300 participants looked shell shocked, still processing the surreal and heart-wrenching news. The organizers decided to pause the planned program and enter into a time of fervent prayer and lament for the families of the nine people who were executed, for Charleston, and for our nation in our ongoing struggle to conquer the demons of hatred and white supremacy.
Last night I had the privilege of giving introductory remarks before a showing of the movie Emanuel at one of the more than 1,000 premiere screenings that took place across the country. Community of Hope Church in Temple Hills., Md., which organized this viewing, rented out a theater to screen the film. This was my fifth time seeing it, and each time I am moved to tears by the raw emotion and profound power of the film. Sojourners has been privileged to partner with Emanuel, creating an official discussion guide to accompany the film, designed to equip pastors and community leaders to foster dialogue around the themes of forgiveness, repentance, and ultimately, the ever-present and costly demands of racial justice.
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