Seven months after the deadly shooting of a pastor and eight parishioners worshiping at a bible study, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is continuing to progress, recently appointing its first female pastor.

On Saturday, Rev. Dr. Betty Deas Clark was appointed by current Bishop Richard Norris and led her first sermon on Sunday morning. Clark will be replacing interim pastor Rev. Dr. Norvel Goff who has held the position temporarily since the killing of Pastor Clementa Pinckney in the June 2015 shooting. Goff is presiding elder and will run for elder.

Clark’s first sermon surrounded a message of hope, saying the church’s best days are ahead.

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