FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2015

Kingston Community Commemorates Charleston, SC Tragedy
The Saint Marks African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in cooperation with the Ministers’ Alliance of Ulster County and the Kingston Council of Churches will host Rising Together in Love, a commemoration of the recent Emanuel AME Church massacre in Charleston, SC.

The event, which will focus on healing the community, will feature prayer, preaching, music and reflections, Sunday, June 28 at the Fair Street Reformed Church. Rev. Dr. G. Modele Clarke, president of the Ministers’ Alliance said the service is part of a nationwide response to memorialize the nine murdered members of Emanuel AME Church.
“We want to give our community an opportunity to express the pain of this horrendous event,” Clarke said. “But we also want to raise an atmosphere of hope, unity and love in opposition to any expressions of racism in our nation.”

Rev. Kendra VanHouten, president, Kingston Council of Churches, said even while the world is still in shock following the appalling tragedy at Mother Emanuel Church, we cannot reject the love that binds us together as human beings.

“It’s critical that we stand united, despite our diverse ethnicities, cultures and religious affiliations to demonstrate that love ultimately conquers hate,” said VanHouten.
Rev. Dr. Faye Banks-Taylor, pastor, Saint Marks AME Church, Kingston, will be the featured speaker. The program will begin at 3:00 p.m.

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For further information, contact: G. Modele Clarke, 914-388-0671

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