10 Days in June

Ten Days in June. Ten days, starting with the tragic news of the attack on the Bible Study group at the Mother Emmanuel AME Church, South Carolina and ending with nine funerals. Beyond this terrible tragedy, what touched me was the forgiveness and the grace shown by the families of the victims toward the young gunman.

That grace was reflected the following Friday at the funeral for pastor Rev. Clementa Pinckney. Aside from the fine and appropriate words of the eulogy by President Obama, I was struck, as I am sure many of you were, by the spontaneous singing of Amazing Grace, and how the words of that hymn were sung throughout the church, the community and the nation. Continue reading