Community Prayer Vigil: For the People of Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, SC and Our Nation The Table: United Church of Christ of La Mesa

Community Prayer Vigil:
For the People of Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, SC and Our Nation

The Table: United Church of Christ of La Mesa
5:30pm, Thursday, June 18, 2015

The Rev. Clementa C. Pickney, Pastor of Emanuel AME Church, the oldest Black congregation in the American South, and several members of his church were gathered to study the Scriptures and pray. Joining them was a young white man who, an hour into the meeting, produced a gun and opened fire. Nine people – six women and three men, among them Pastor Pickney, died. Others were injured.

In the words of the Rev. Kaji Douša, Senior Minister of The Table, United Church of Christ of La Mesa, where the vigil will be held,

“The incessant litany of stories of violence and racism faced by the Black community has reached one of those pitches that we cannot ignore…As we have been affirming, week after week, that Black Lives Matter, people in communities of color have sought the shelter of sanctuary, of the beauty of their routines, of being together. Sanctuary has been violated, and when this happens, no place feels safe…Personally, I am at a loss for words. I feel numb. And I want to hear from God. So, will you please come and pray with me?”

At 5:30pm this evening, Thursday, June 18, 2015, the San Diego Partnership of Churches* will host a community prayer vigil in response to this devastating event. You are invited to join us as we reach out in prayer for the people of Emanuel AME Church and for our distraught nation.

The vigil will be held at The Table, United Church of Christ of La Mesa, 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942 (619-464-1519, www.tableucc.com.)