Boardman church sends its loves to Emanuel AME Church in Charleston

BOARDMAN — Members of Boardman United Methodist Church reached out more than 720 miles or so to Charleston, S.C., and sent cards of love, sympathy and encouragement to the congregation of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Nine people, including the pastor, were fatally shot as they participated in a Bible study June 17.

The Rev. Pamela Buzalka, who is starting her third year at the Boardman church, suggested the idea. She said a previous church where she served sent cards and an offering to a Methodist church in Newtown, Conn., after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting Dec. 14, 2012, when 20 children and six adult staff members were shot to death. Some of the families of victims attended the church that received the cards.

The card idea was well-received by the congregation; members wrote personal messages in cards. The cards bear the note, “The faith community of Boardman United Methodist Church stands with you at this time of deep sorrow.”

The card also includes an adaptation of lyrics of “Stand By Me” by the Rev. Charles Albert Tindley, who wrote the song in a Gospel tradition, and a passage from Revelation 21:1-4.

“We wanted to send a message to the church that we are standing by them as fellow Christians,” Pastor Buzalka said. “Standing together is important. The messages from person to person are powerful.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com