"Remembering the Emanuel Nine and Intentionally Practicing Loving Our Neighbors"

Contact: Rev. Dr. Joan Harrell,
773-269-1416, 
jrhpblictheology@gmail.com

CALUMET CITY, Ill., July 17, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- One month ago today on the night of June 17th, the United States of America and the world were shocked when it was reported that nine people were massacred during their Bible Study and prayer session at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) in Charleston, SC. The shooting and killing of nine African Americans from the ages of 26 to 87 inside the church that was founded during slavery, met in secret until the end of the Civil War and is known for its social justice work to ensure voting rights and civil rights for African Americans in South Carolina; reminded America and particularly members of the Christian faith, the Biblical principle 'loving your neighbor as you love yourself' is not practiced by all.

"When we remember the Emanuel Nine, their families, the state of South Carolina, removal of the Confederate battle flag and the fact that racism is still a critical issue in our nation; as a nation that honors faith and especially in all Christian churches, black, white and multicultural, on Sunday, we must ask ourselves, how are we loving our neighbors?" asked Dr. Melvin E. Banks Sr. founder and Chairman of the Board of Urban Ministries Incorporated (UMI).

Dr. Banks, a graduate of Moody Bible College in Chicago and Wheaton College, created UMI 45-years ago because of the lack of contextual materials and illustrations that included African American children, women and men in Christian Education curriculum. "All persons are made in the image of God and Christian Education resources should reflect each member of humanity. Remembering the sacred souls of the Emanuel Nine should be a daily reminder of what can happen when we disrespect a person's humanity because of the color or their skin and or cultural heritage," added Banks.

UMI is the largest independently owned African American Christian communications and publishing company in the United States. UMI's resources include contextualized Sunday School and Vacation Bible School curricula, videos, ministry and leadership training books.
www.urbanministries.com

Urban Ministries, Inc. P.O. Box 436987 • Chicago, IL 60643-6987 • Tele: 708.832.3400 • Fax: 708.868.7107