#WTLCIndyNews: Rising From Tragedy, ‘Mother’ Emanuel A.M.E. Gets New Unprecedented Leadership

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Charleston, South Carolina’s Emanuel A.M.E. Church is continuing to make history in the wake of last summer’s tragic mass shooting. This time with unprecedented leadership. For the first time since ‘Mother’ Emanuel was founded 200 years ago, a woman is now the lead pastor.  She is Reverend Dr. Betty Deas Clark. Clark takes the position following the death of Reverend Clementa Pinckney who was one of the nine victims of the June attack by suspect Dylann Roof,who has been charged with at least 33 federal charges in the deadly massacre.  Clark is accustomed to being a trailblazer. She has been the first female pastor at four other churches.  On Sunday, January 24, Clark stepped into the pulpit at ‘Mother’ Emanuel to minister for the first time. She began her inaugural sermon by talking to parishioners about hope for a brighter future, despite trials and tribulations.

For more info and to ‘meet’ Reverend Clark, watch reporter Travis Rice’s story from NBC News 2 in South Carolina below:

Roof is expected in federal court on February 11. Prior to that, his next court appearance on state charges is February 5.

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