1st Service Held at Black Church Since 9 Slayings

The congregation at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal swayed and sang, prayed and welcomed the world into their sanctuary on Sunday, holding the first worship service since a white gunman was accused of opening fire during a Bible study, killing nine black church members. Messages of love, recovery and healing were interspersed throughout the service, which no doubt reverberated throughout churches across the country. There was enthusiastic singing and shouting, so much so that many waved small fans in front of their faces. Bottled water was handed out. Uniformed police officers flanked the congregation as a measure of added security, and worshippers' cried as they prayed at the church known as "Mother Emanuel" because it is one of the oldest black congregations in the South.