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The horrendous shootings at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, fill all of us with shock, sorrow and outrage. Happenings like this occur far too often, leaving us speechless in the face of what appear to be acts of hatred against the innocent. But we cannot remain speechless for long. This act of violence is a sad and powerful reminder that racism does not stay put, but can and does have catastrophic consequences.

Please pray for those who were affected by this tragedy, especially those who died—for Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons, Sharonda Singleton and Myra Thompson. Also join with me in recommitting ourselves to stand against racism close to home or in any form it may take here in our own country