Church

Churches pride themselves on welcoming strangers, even ones that may look odd or distressed. But the killings in Charleston have pushed many congregations to wonder how they can continue to extend a welcoming hand without comprising their safety.

The Charleston shootings and a recent spate of fires at African American churches, including one in Charlotte, have made a lot of black congregations uneasy. Many of them are now re-examining their security. Members of several faith communities met last night to discuss their concerns.

Congresswoman Alma Adams paid a visit to The Creek Baptist Church in East Charlotte Thursday. It’s been just over a week since the education building beside the sanctuary went up in flames. You can still smell it in the air.