Friday, June 19, 2015
Wednesday of this week Dylann Roof walked into Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina and after an hour started shooting, killing nine people. Friday evening in Atlanta the congregation of Big Bethel A.M.E. Church off of Auburn Ave. held a “Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service” in honor of those who were needlessly killed.
Members of the Atlanta church community and the NAACP spoke words of comfort to the few hundred people who attended the service. A collection was taken up during the service that will be sent to the church and the families affected by Roof’s actions.
Alexis Balkum (center) greets Dr. Cheryl Jordan with a hug before the start of the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Chris Parker prays at the alter before the start of the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Rosa Baxter (center) and Geri Dodson (right) lay a shroud on the front pew in honor of the nine people who lost their lives in Charleston, South Carolina before the start of the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Reverand John Foster, Ph.D. (center) leads the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Ed Jones (center) lights nine candles in honor of the nine people who lost their lives in Charleston, South Carolina during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Rev. John Foster, Ph.D. (center) leads the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Rev. Bobby Graham (center) speaks during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Jacqueline Hoffman holds her head in her hand during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Rev. Kewon Foster (center) speaks during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Rev. Dr. Monica Jones speaks during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
McDonald Williams (left) and his wife Jamye hug fellow church members during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Rev. Michael Harris (top left) speaks during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Rev. Michael Harris speaks during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Kim King (center) stands and claps during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Aurielle Marie (center) speaks during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
James Campbell (center) carries a wreath of flowers into the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Mawuli Davis (left) and Sen. Vincent Fort (right) clap as Nelini Stamp sings during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Stacy Epps (center) claps as people sing during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Tears stream down Shawnalea Garvin’s cheek during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Rev. John Foster, Ph.D. (right) leads the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Dr. Shirley White (center) puts a donation into the offering basket during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015. Money was collected during the service to send to the families of the victims.
Georgia NAACP President Rev. Dr. Francis Johnson (center) speaks during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Georgia NAACP President Rev. Dr. Francis Johnson (right) speaks during the Prayer, Healing and Reconciliation Service for members of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina who lost their lives earlier this week at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta on Friday, June 19, 2015.