As part of the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members  adopted a resolution  designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine — the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.

A collection of resources is available at elca.org/emanuelnine to help synods and congregations mark this commemoration. These resources can be adapted for virtual worship, online conversation or individual reflection and devotion. Synods and congregations are encouraged to mark this commemoration locally.

Please email worship@elca.org if your synod or congregation is planning a dedicated, online commemoration service that you wish to share with others.

May God continue to guide us as we seek repentance, renewal and racial justice and reconciliation among God’s precious children. Learn more.