It doesn’t take long before the first embrace. And then Polly Sheppard greets another of the students, then another.
This group of young evangelicals, affiliated with the parachurch ministry Cru, is here at Emanuel AME Church to learn more about the 2015 mass shooting, visit the sanctuary and offer their prayers. They have just watched Brian Tetsuro Ivie’s documentary “Emanuel,” and they recognize Sheppard, who is visiting the church grounds, where a memorial soon will be erected.
The exchange between this survivor of the attack and the Cru crew is polite, warm, engaging.
Because that’s how the magnanimous Sheppard operates. Mostly, she sees the good in people. She’s ready with a smile….
Local paper front page #motheremanuel #motheremanuelchurchmassacre #resilience #history #violence #motheremanuel9 #religion #race #southcarolina #charlestonsc #lowcountrylife pic.twitter.com/llHbDaIZBo
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) June 17, 2022