Convening of
Black Clergy
Calls for racial justice in 2020 caused Partners ’ leadership and staff to reflect on the long history of systemic racism , discrimination , prejudice , and inequality in our nation . Consistent with our vision and mission , we determined that Partners must :
• do more to understand and support Black and Brown faith communities ;
• listen more deeply to the voices of Black and Brown faith communities ; and
• guided by grace and humility , collaborate more with congregations and communities of color .
As a first step , in collaboration with the African Episcopal Church of St . Thomas , America ’ s first Black Episcopal Church , Partners organized two virtual interfaith conversations with African American religious leaders , facilitated by the ROZ Group . The conversations explored the community impact of houses of worship in neighborhoods — in particular in neighborhoods of color — and how to support and increase that impact .
These conversations affirmed that Black religious institutions have played — and continue to play — a vital role in addressing racial disparities in the United States . However , these institutions are often underresourced , reflecting larger economic disparities in America . This lack of resources puts Black religious institutions , their community-serving programs , and their communities at risk . We thank the Episcopal Church ’ s Becoming a Beloved Community project for its support of these conversations .
Moving forward , Partners ' leadership and staff are committed to becoming more inclusive in our programs and services , and to using the findings from these conversations to support positive change in the larger world in which we are engaged .
( Above right ) Mural by Robert Moore in the African Episcopal Church of St . Thomas , the nation ’ s oldest African Episcopal Church , founded by Absolom Jones in Philadelphia , PA . Photo : African Episcopal Church of St . Thomas
THANK YOU to the following faith leaders who shared their wisdom and experiences during these convenings :
The Rt . Rev . Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows , Bishop , The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis , Event Co-Chair
The Rev . Mark Tyler , Senior Pastor , Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church , Philadelphia , PA , Event Co-Chair
Imam Idris Abdul-Zahir , Masjidullah Mosque , Philadelphia , PA
Dr . Byron T . Brazier , Apostolic Church of God , Chicago , IL
The Rev . Dr . Amos V . Brown , Third Baptist Church of San Francisco
The Rev . Dr . Heber Brown , Pleasant Hope Baptist Church , Baltimore , MA
The Rev . Richie Butler & Cafea Harrell , St . Luke “ Community ” United Methodist Church , Dallas , TX
The Rev . Dr . Wayne Croft , Sr . St . Paul ’ s Baptist , West Chester , PA
David Daniels , Church of God in Christ , Chicago , IL
The Rev . Dr . Gerald Dew , Antioch Missionary Baptist Church , Chicago , IL
The Rev . Dr . Gregory V . Eason , Sr ., Flipper Temple African American Episcopal Church , Atlanta , GA
The Rev . Dr . Lucretia Facen , St . Paul United Methodist Church , Dallas , TX
Rabbi Capers Funnye , Beth Shalom ( B ’ nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation ), Chicago , IL
The Rt . Reverend Daniel G . P . Gutierrez & The Rev . Canon Betsy Ivey , The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
The Rev . Aramis Hinds , Bethel Community Transformation Center , Detroit , MI
The Rev . Kevin Johnson , Dare to Imagine Church , Inc ., Philadelphia , PA
The Rev . Veronica Johnson , Hyde Park Union Church ( American Baptist Churches- USA and United Church of Christ ), Chicago , IL
The Rev . Eustacia Moffett Marshall , New River Presbyterian Church , Philadelphia , PA
The Rev . Bill Moore , Tenth Memorial Baptist , Philadelphia , PA
The Rev . Melanie Mullen , The Episcopal Church
The Most Rev . Joseph Perry , Archdiocese of Chicago ( Catholic )
The Rev . Charles Quann , Bethlehem Baptist Church , Spring House , PA
The Rev . Alyn Waller , Enon Tabernacle Baptist , Philadelphia , PA
The Rev . Joe Watkins , Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church , Philadelphia , PA
Page 12