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The site of a massacre a week ago, the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is being reclaimed by parishioners who are pledging to remember the loved ones they lost in a shooting rampage while carrying on the work of the beloved pastor who was slain beside them.
Only hours before the body of state senator and pastor Clementa Pinckney was to be returned to the historic black church one last time for his wake, members of his flock and non-church members alike packed into the church's basement to attend Wednesday night Bible study. It was the very same thing that was taking place a week ago before Pinckney and eight parishioners were gunned down in what authorities are investigating as a hate crime.
"Because of our faith, we've shown up once more again to declare that Jesus lives and because he lives, we can face tomorrow," interim pastor Norvel Goff told a multiracial crowd that swayed, clapped and sang in the same room where the shooting occurred. Among the worshippers were several family members of one of the victims, Myra Thompson.
"It is a powerful testimony that they are able to come," Goff said of Thompson's relatives, who were applauded by others in the audience.
The first funerals of some of those slain begin Thursday at nearby churches in North Charleston. President Barack Obama will deliver the eulogy at Pinckney's funeral Friday at a nearby college arena.
Below are the funeral arrangements for the victims:
- Rev. Clementa Pinckney - Viewing inside Emanuel scheduled for Thursday evening; funeral Friday.
- Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton - Viewing and funeral scheduled for Thursday at Moriah Baptist Church.
- Cynthia Hurd - Wake and family visitation scheduled at Emanuel Friday evening; celebration of life at 11 a.m. Saturday.
- Ethel Lee Lance - Funeral scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Royal Missionary Baptist Church
- Tywanza Sanders - Funeral scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Emanuel. Susie Jackson's funeral will also be held at the same time, she was Sanders' aunt.
- Myra Thompson - Viewing and visitation is scheduled for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Palmetto Mortuary. Her funeral will be at Emanuel from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Susie Jackson - Funeral scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Emanuel. Tywanza Sanders funeral will also be held at the same time, he was Jackson's nephew.
- Daniel L. Simmons - Arrangements are pending.
- Rev. Depayne Middleton-Doctor - Visitation scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. at St. Mark AME Church in Ravenel. The funeral will be at Emanuel AME Church at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Wells Fargo announced a $100,000 grant to the Palmetto Project Thursday to support their Lowcountry Ministries - Reverend Pinckney Fund. The fund's purpose is to support the victims, their families and programmatic ministries.
The grant will specifically support counseling service for families, survivors and church members. It will also support local initiatives.
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