In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Mother Emanuel AME Church tragedy, Senior Pastor Eric Manning led a special Bible study to honor and remember the nine lives lost in the 2015 shooting. The congregation, along with visitors, gathered to reflect on the lives and legacies of the Emanuel 9 and learn from their faith.
Reflecting on the Lives of the Emanuel 9
During the Bible study, Pastor Manning spoke about the significance of the Emanuel 9 as “witnesses of faithful servants reflecting Christ’s call to love a stranger.” The discussion centered on four key topics: remembrance, forgiveness, healing, and unity, and how each can be embraced as a path to honoring the victims.
“How do I lean on the witnesses, those who have lived before me, those testimonies that have gone before me? How can I continue realistically to learn from them and then use that to help me grow and become a better member of our collective community?” Manning said, encouraging attendees to learn from the Emanuel 9’s example of faith.
A Personal and Community Gathering
For many attendees, the Bible study was deeply personal. Sister Pamela Smith, with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, traveled two hours to attend. “This being the anniversary week, it was very important to me,” Smith said.
Denise Quarles, daughter of Myra Thompson, one of the Emanuel 9, spoke emotionally about her connection to the event. “My mom was actually the one leading the Bible study that night. So, this event is extra special for me because of what happened and what she was doing when it happened.”
Pastor Manning emphasized how the faith of the Emanuel 9—who lived lives rooted in the Gospel—continues to inspire people to become better members of their community.
Teaching the Spirit of Faith
“I would like for people to learn more about the Emanuel 9 so that you can pull from how they live their lives, so we can try to be better people and learn from their walk with faith,” Quarles shared. The Bible study was a reminder of the strength and love that the Emanuel 9 displayed, and how their faith continues to guide others.
The anniversary and Bible study have resonated with people of all faiths, bringing together individuals from different backgrounds to reflect on the lessons of love, forgiveness, and unity. “I think this whole faith community has, from the evening of the shootings, taught us a lot of lessons about how to grieve with nobility and just simply how to love people,” said Sister Smith.
A Symbol of Remembrance
To help attendees carry the lessons of the Bible study with them, each participant received a bracelet as a reminder of the Emanuel 9 and the survivors, as well as a call to be a light in the darkness.
“We were handing out the bracelets just as a point of reference so that people will remember the Emanuel 9 and the survivors therein, as well as remembering that we should all be a light in the pathway of darkness,” said Manning.
Continuing the Conversation
While the Bible study only covered “remembrance” due to time constraints, Pastor Manning announced that next week’s study will continue the discussion with a focus on “forgiveness.”
The Bible study on the 10th anniversary of the Mother Emanuel AME Church tragedy was not only a time for remembrance but also a call to action for the community to continue the work of love, unity, and faith. Through the powerful examples set by the Emanuel 9, attendees were reminded of the strength of faith in the face of adversity and the importance of healing, forgiveness, and community.
