On Friday, The Rev. Eric S.C. Manning, who leads Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., where nine parishoners were killed in 2015, flew to Pittsburgh to meet with Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life congregation, which experienced the violent loss of eleven congregants last week. The photo of their meeting counters in a single image the hateful and divisive motives behind both acts of violence.
“Love is stronger than hate” wrote my friend Maureen Rolla, who lives in Pittsburgh.
In an interview with CNN, Rev Manning described the Ministry of Presence that has become the heart of his church’s mission and teaching and which he says “means so much”.
If people can look up and see you, receive a hug, receive a handshake, receive a handkerchief that may be able to wipe away the tears that are falling down their cheek, that helps immensely and goes a long way.
I think a lot of times we look for the right words to say and I think some times we need to be silent and just stand there with them.
…ministry of presence….
How beautiful, comforting and true. Thank you.
“Love is stronger than hate”.
In some situations, like these,..
when i’m sitting 20,000 miles away..
i often wonder what would happen,
if we would simply let ‘the guy’ out of jail(?).
The whole town lines up,
…and gives him a hug,
..as he walks home.
Not a word spoken.
I wonder what would happen?
After 9/11,
i thought,
…”What would ‘turn the other cheek’ look like?”
i’ve yet to find my answer,
…or a listening curious ear.
Up in the bath-tub.
gallagher
Thanks for your comment, Gallagher and bringing up that big question which I don’t have an answer for or for the possibility of redemption of a person like that. One of the best explorations I’ve seen of it is the film Dead Man Walking. Worth every painful minute.