Sharon Risher - For Such a Time as This: Hope and Forgiveness After the Charleston Massacre

Contents

In Praise of For Such a Time as This

Sharon Risher is the very definition of a hero: shes taken her grief and pain and turned it into activism in an effort to prevent other families from experiencing the same anguish her family has. Sharons passion shines through on every page, and her compelling story shows us all how to find courage and compassion in even the darkest tragedy. Ive been honored to work side by side with Sharon since 2015, and Im so grateful for her guidance and wisdomin real life, and in her book.

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

For Such a Time as This is a beautiful but bittersweet memoir of a woman of God facing the loss of her beloved family by gun violence. Rev. Risher is truly one who has been called to rise in faith as a conduit for love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Her story will forever stand as truth and compassion in Americas shameful culture of hate and discrimination played out through gun violence.

Rep. Lucy McBath, Sixth Congressional District of Georgia

When you read Rev. Sharon Rishers phenomenal life story, you will want to hug her, cry with her, laugh with her. She sweeps you up with her unstoppable spirit. Faith keeps her resilient in the face of tragedy, the unthinkable murder of her mother at a prayer meeting in church. She inspires you to overcome colossal hurdles and face life with gusto and humor...and forgiveness.

Abigail Pesta, award-winning journalist, author of The Girls, coauthor of How Dare the Sun Rise

Rev. Sharon Risher has inspired countless Americans with her journey from gun violence survivor to activist. With such moving honesty and raw emotion, hers is a story of resilience in the face of hatred and violence. This book will touch your heart and make you want to stand with her in the movement to end gun violence.

Christopher Kocher, director of Everytown Survivor Network

In For Such a Time as This, Rev. Sharon Risher writes in a voice that those who know her will recognize, the authentic one of an imperfect preacher who smokes and cusses and fought addiction, and who brings to ministry the lessons lived in a real life. That includes her honest account of a long and painful journey, often at the brunt of other peoples judgments, to forgive the white supremacist who murdered her mother and eight others inside Emanuel AME Church.

No family is perfect, and Risher describes how her mothers violent death ripped at the fabric of hers, already torn by the loss of one sister just two years before the massacre and another sister two years after. There are lessons for us all in her story, including an important plea for America to confront the twin evils of racism and gun violence, as she is doing in her new lifes role as an accidental activist. That she has heeded this important calling amid such suffering is an inspiration for all of us to read her story and then go do our part.

Jennifer Berry Hawes, author of Grace Will Lead Us Home

I consider myself incredibly lucky to count Sharon Risher as a dear friend. Reading these stories shes told me in person evokes the same tears and the same impossible laughter that weve shared. Her authentic presence, embodying the defiant joy of our common human experience as only the utterly heartbroken can do, shines forth in For Such a Time as This: Hope and Forgiveness after the Charleston Massacre as the next best thing to being with her in person. As someone who once espoused the same toxic cowardice and irresponsibility that twisted the weak mind of the suffering fool who murdered Ethel Lance and eight other wonderful souls, I say with authority that Sharon Rishers profound voice is righteous kryptonite to the fear and ignorance that compose hate. The faith in humanity that this book inspires ensures that hate will never win in the hearts of those who read it.

Arno Arr Michaelis IV, speaker, author, educator, filmmaker, and former white supremacist

When we look at the staggering statistics around gun violence in America, we never know the stories of the surviving loved ones. For Such a Time as This is one story of one brave woman, but its a book that can change hearts and minds. Rev. Sharon Rishers honest, wrenching memoir about her journey since her mothers murder at Mother Emanuel Church during the summer of 2015 is nothing short of inspirational. Guided by her faith, Rev. Risher has become a national spokesperson for gun control. This redemptive story reminds us of the power inside each and every one of us to stand up for what is right and make a better world for all of us.

Marjory Wentworth coauthor of We Are Charleston, Tragedy and Triumph at Mother Emanuel

Rev. Sharon Risher is not one to be timid in the face of injustice, suffering, or controversy. Out of the anguish of her own unspeakable loss after her mother and cousins were gunned down in a church basement by an unapologetic white supremacist, she takes us on the journey no one wants to go on. Her training as a minister and chaplain helps us understand the complex emotions that tormented her in the aftermath of such personal tragedy. In this cant-put-it-down page-turner, the author doesnt mince words in conveying what it means to work through such pain, anger, isolation, and fear. Yet, in the end, she generously shares the hopeful lessons she learned so we can vicariously benefit from them. It takes extraordinary bravery to do what Sharon Risher has done by so candidly sharing her storyand we should all be grateful to God and to her for it! This book is a gift to humankind.

Rob Schenck, author of Costly Grace: An Evangelical Ministers Rediscovery of Faith, Hope and Love and subject of Abigail Disneys Emmy Award-winning documentary, The Armor of Light

To read this book is to be challenged to become a better, more aware, and empathic person. Rev. Risher begins with the story of her mothers tragic death then takes deep dives into topics like growing up black, the messy realities of family, gun violence, politics, and more. The reader is in skilled hands with Rev. Risher, who has served as chaplain, pastor, mother, and activist. In sharing her own heart and mind she encourages us to think more deeply and to be more painfully and uncomfortably honest as we consider difficult topics like grief, the death penalty, race, faith, and forgiveness. Rev. Risher isnt about simple answers or clichs. She is, instead, about the gritty and complex realities that confront survivors of gun violence, the black community, and real-life families. Reading this book made me feel both understood and challenged. It opened my eyes, informed me in important ways, and challenged me to think through how I might live in more authentic and grace-giving ways. I finished it wanting to hear more from this inspired and honest writer. Her brave vulnerability was permission-giving in important ways. I felt that my flawed humanity was affirmed and welcomed and yet I also found myself inspired to reach just a bit farther in my pursuits to make the world a better place. Rev. Rishers determination to remember the nine lives lost in Charleston (and countless others across the country) as well as her willingness to offer up her own experiences as instructions for how to live through trauma is inspirational. I will be waiting, excitedly, for more from this incredible and talented woman!