CHARLESTON, S.C. – On the first Sunday since the fatal shooting of nine people at a Charleston church, many other congregations in the city will hold memorials and other events as a show of support. And Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the site of the shooting, will open to the public for the first time since its parishioners were killed Wednesday night.
Here is a look at some of what's planned in Charleston.
___
CHURCH REOPENS
Emanuel AME will open at 8:30 a.m. for Sunday school. A service is scheduled for 9 a.m. Some members of the congregation who gathered at the church Saturday say they expect a packed, emotional service with lots of first-time visitors.
___
BELL RINGING
At 10 a.m., churches across Charleston will ring their bells in unison as a show of solidarity with Emanuel AME. Organizers also encourage those who want to participate to ring hand bells.
___
UNITED PRAYER AND WORSHIP GATHERING
Songs, Bible readings and prayer in the park will be the focus. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Marion Square, then the group will walk to Emanuel AME Church for a prayer service. Members of other churches also will join there.
____
PRAYER GATHERING OUTSIDE EMANUEL AME
Two events at planned, one at noon and one at 7 p.m. Parishioners from various churches plan to surround the church to pray.
___
UNITY CHAIN
Participants will meet on both sides of the Ravenel Bridge — which connects downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant — and create a chain as a show of unity.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
