From the pulpit: ‘Be strong, courageous’
A Dayton AME church shows video tribute of 9 slain.
— Wayman African DAYTON Methodist Episcopal Church honored the nine victims shot and killed at a historic South Carolina church during its Sunday service.
Most of the estimated 300 members of the church on Homer Avenue in Dayton attended the service, which included a video tribute that showed pictures of each victim and a sermon themed, “We will not fear.”
“Be strong and courageous,” said the Rev. Mila Cooper, the pastor’s wife who gave the sermon. “Don’t be terrified.”
Nine people were shot and killed inside Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., during a Bible study session Wednesday.
During an interview after service, Cooper said she felt heaviness while delivering Sunday’s sermon, given the weight of the tragedy. She hopes the message God gave her was delivered in a way that would reached the congregation, she added.
“As people of God, as Christians, as people who come to church every week, we have Bible study, too,” Cooper said. “I hope people walk away with their hope intact (and) not blaming God.”
Cooper said she hopes the message causes people to not falter in their faith and that people are not afraid to leave their homes or go to church.
The Associated Press reported churches of all denominations across Charleston agreed to ring their bells at 10 a.m. Sunday to send a healing message of unity and love to the world.
Emanuel AME Church was open for Sunday services and hundreds of parishioners from Charleston’s churches filled the street outside the church to pray and sing after the services ended, according to reports from The Associated Press.
Back at Wayman AME Sunday, some congregation mem-
bers called Cooper’s sermon powerful.
“It was like medicine,” said Nevada Blake, a Dayton resident who has been member of the church for 10 years. “There are a lot of members here that are feeling what the people are feeling at the church in South Carolina. A lot of us know them. They’re like a fallen brother or sister.”
Jacqueline Wright, a Dayton resident who has been a member of the church since 1966, grew up during the civil rights movement and was active in her hometown, Lexington, Ky.
Wright said she initially had some fears about going to church Sunday, but Cooper’s message to own your emotions and to not be afraid resonated with her.
“I like that (message of ) not violence, but let’s plan how we can address these issues,” she said.