August video digest highlights Presbyterian response to racial injustice, on third anniversary of Michael Brown killing
by Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service
ST. LOUIS – The August 2017 edition of Keeping Faith from St. Louis, the site of this year’s Big Tent gathering and next year’s General Assembly, is now available for viewing and download.
Three years ago, on Aug. 9, 2014, a black teenager named Michael Brown was killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. In the aftermath of that shooting and events in the St. Louis area, Presbyterian congregations in the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy have found new ways to confront and engage the work of racial justice.
Keeping Faith contains two short stories detailing the PC(USA) response, post Ferguson:
- Sacred Conversations on Race
“We immediately started talking about police violence, white supremacy, white privilege and racism. Those are hard things to talk about in the church.” — the Rev. Erin Counihan, Oak Hill Presbyterian Church
- Hands & Feet (a new Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) initiative)
“One thing we were clear on—it was an opportunity to put faith into action. We had congregations here doing work that could be highlighted, that others can learn from and take back home to their own communities.” — the Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
All Presbyterians are encouraged to engage in a Hands & Feet mission project around St. Louis before next year’s General Assembly.
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