Racial Reconciliation Service of Remembrance

Timothy Smith, bishop of the North Carolina Synod, ELCA, is inviting all to come together virtually for a Racial Reconciliation Service of Remembrance on Thursday, June 17.

Tomorrow, June 17, is the 6th anniversary of the massacre of the Emanuel 9 in Charleston, and Saturday, June 19, is Juneteenth.

The ELCA has established a commemoration day for the Emanuel 9, and Smith said at the gracious invitation of St. Joseph AME in Durham, this worship service will be held in conjunction with Duke Lutherans, St. Paul’s Lutheran in Durham, and others from the community.

The service is at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live at www.stjosephame.org and on St. Joseph AME Church’s Facebook page. The guest speaker for the event is Dr. James Forbes.

“We hope you’ll join us virtually as we continue our lament, our repentance, and our commitment to racial justice and the valuing of black and brown lives,” Smith said.