VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 7/16/20)—The American Baptist Churches USA Board of General Ministries Executive Committee voted at its June 2020 meeting to reconstitute the task force on race and racial violence. The new task force will have an “anti-racism” focus. ABCUSA President Karen 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).”

To begin this work, the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary will sponsor a Call to Prayer event on Wednesday, August 5 at 2:00pm EDT. Register for the Call to Prayer Event here. This online event, that will include several points of reflection from various speakers, will give shape to the formation and ongoing work of the task force. President Podsiadly and Interim General Secretary C. Jeff Woods will co-host the Call to Prayer event. Following the Call to Prayer, persons interested in advancing the work of the anti-racism task force will be invited to share their interest with president Podsiadly.

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, symposiums, as well as small and large group work.

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.