VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 8/3/20)—American Baptists and friends are invited to join American Baptist Churches USA for a Call to Prayer event on Wednesday, August 5 at 2:00pm EDT. Register for the Call to Prayer event here – all are welcome to attend. The Call to Prayer will be co-hosted by ABCUSA President Karen Podsiadly and Interim General Secretary C. Jeff Woods, and will include several points of reflection from various speakers around the theme of anti-racism.
As previously announced, the Call to Prayer event will give shape to the formation and ongoing work of a reconstituted task force on race and racial violence, with the new task force having an anti-racism focus. Persons interested in advancing the work of this task force will be invited to share their interest following the Call to Prayer. The goal of the task force is to identify and surface anti-racism resources for individuals, congregations, and institutions. The work of the task force will include online meetings and symposiums, as well as small and large group work.
President Podsiadly recently shared the following definition of anti-racism, “Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably (NAC International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity).”
For those interested in applying to become a member of the Task Force, an application form including commitment information is available here. All those interested are encouraged to attend the Call to Prayer, however a recording will also be provided following the event for those who are unable to attend. Please join us as we begin this important work – all are welcome to attend the Call to Prayer event to join in a nationwide time of prayer together.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.