An Austin church is getting involved in an effort to help change the nation.

First Congregational UCC, in partnership with faith communities around Minnesota, will host a prayer service of remembrance, repentance and hope for healing in response to the Mother Emanuel AME shootings in Charleston, South Carolina, and subsequent black church fires nationwide. The prayer service is open to the public to this special, ecumenical service of remembrance at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Participants will hold the Mother Emanuel AME congregation and families of victims in prayer, repent of systemic racism, and ask God to heal the country.

“Matthew 22:36-40 explains why this is necessary,” Rev. Shari Mason, Pastor at First Congregational UCC, said in a press release.

Matthew 22:36-40 from the Common English Bible: “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

The Minnesota Council of Churches (mnchurches.org) has set-up a year-long series of weekly prayer vigils. Every Wednesday evening, some congregation in Minnesota will host a prayer service about the mother.