06/17/2026
Today, June 17, we pause to remember the lives of the Emanuel Nine, faithful servants of God who were tragically taken from this world eleven years ago while gathered for Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Emanuel Nine were not simply victims of a horrific act of hatred; they were disciples, leaders, teachers, parents, grandparents, community builders, and faithful believers who gathered in the House of God seeking His Word. Their lives embodied the very spirit of the African Methodist Episcopal Church—faith, perseverance, justice, and love.
Though hatred entered the sanctuary that night, it did not have the final word. Their witness continues to inspire a nation. Their legacy reminds us that the Church remains a place of hope, healing, courage, and unwavering faith. Through their lives, we have been challenged to confront racism, pursue justice, and demonstrate the transformative power of Christian love and forgiveness.
As we remember Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Daniel Lee Simmons Sr., Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson, we give thanks to God for their lives and their enduring witness.
At Ebenezer AME Church, we honor their memory by continuing the work of ministry, reconciliation, community engagement, and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May we never forget their sacrifice, and may we strive to build a world where love is stronger than hate and faith is stronger than fear.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” — John 1:5
Gone, but never forgotten.
Silent in voice, yet still speaking through their legacy.
Absent from our sight, yet forever present in our hearts.