Synod Prays, Weeps Over South Carolina Shooting
Rev. Stedford Sims led synod in a prayer of lament and hope.
Karen Huttenga
Synod 2015 opened its final session on a somber note. Rev. Stedford Sims from Classis Grand Rapids East wept as he led delegates through a prayer of lament and hope after synod heard the news of a mass shooting in Charleston, S.C.
News reports indicate that a white man entered Emanuel AME Church in Charleston during a Bible study and shot and killed nine African American people.
Sims cried out to God for comfort for those in pain, for the families of those slain, and for the leaders of the church who will have to navigate the tragedy in the congregation.
He thanked God for raising up the church for such a time as this,” as our society riven by racism, division, hate, misunderstandings and ignorance.
“What a time to be an example of the love of God, to show America for hope for our nation,” he prayed.
Synod president Rev. Bruce Persenaire thanked him and thanked God for raising Sims up “for such a time as this.”
“We thank you for your prayer, the man you are, and what you represent to us in the CRC,” he said, “and that you still pointed out that ‘this is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it.’”
Synod read a resolution into the record declaring its abhorrence of the tragic killings in the Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina, declaring its solidarity with the families, the church, and others affected by this event, and its hope that even in tragedy, the power of the gospel of grace in Jesus Christ.
Elder Fronse Smith, Classis Holland, thanked synod for that resolution. “I can’t put into words how much that means,” he told delegates.
For continuous coverage of Synod 2015 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.
