Top row: Cynthia Hurd, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton
middle row: Daniel Simmons, Rev. Depayne Middleton Doctor, Tywanza Sanders
Bottom row: Myra Thompson, Ethel Lee Lance, Susie Jackson
Lord,
When we worry
about the way people will hear us,
when we worry
that the truth will sting,
when we worry
what will happen to us,
remind us
that our silence
does not serve you.
Our silence is not safety,
or neutrality.
It is a slight nod of the head,
giving permission for
the sin of racism to continue.
May our heads shake,
as we say “No more,”
shake hard enough
that there can be no question
where we stand,
for the sake of Jesus Christ,
and his beloved servants
who have lost their lives
to human evil.
Amen.