Bible study resumes one week after Charleston shooting
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The attack came during a Bible study one week ago. This evening, the faithful are gathering once again at Emanuel AME Church.
"We're still saddened by the loss, we still cry, we still grieve, we still have broken hearts, but we serve a God who is able to carry us through," said. Rev. Norvel Goff.
He will be leading Bible study at Mother Emanuel Church on Wednesday "because I think it sends the right message," he said. "No evil in this world can overtake the faith in which we have."
Goff is the head of the church district and has been named interim pastor.
Asked what the first Bible passage that will be read, he replied: "Well, one of the first ones, 'the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.' It's the 23rd Psalm."
Eunice Coakley-Guyton and Blondelle Gadsden say they will be there, in the same sanctuary where their sister Myra Thompson was killed as she led last week's Bible study.
They were asked how they go back.
"I knew all of them," said Gadsden. "Personally, this is what I have to do."
"I will go because I have no fear, 'cause I know God's in his holy temple," said Coakley-Guyton.
Malcolm Graham's sister, Cynthia Hurd, was another victim. He says the families have bonded in the last seven days.
"The Charleston 9 is as one," said Graham. "And so we're working together and comforting one another and trying to be there for each other."
He said they are holding up "through faith."
Rev. Goff says the lesson at bible study tonight will focus on community.
"Love your neighbor as you love yourself," said Goff. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. These are the tenets that many of us have grown up with and that's what you see in Charleston."
Rev. Goff allowed us inside the sanctuary where the shootings happened without our cameras. There were flowers at the altar, a shrine to the memory of those killed last week. But there were also people holding meetings, going about church business, planning the funerals that begin Thursday.