On Tuesday, October 29, 2019, the Charlottesville Clergy Collective organized the third "Conversations toward Reconciliation" dinner gathering. It was hosted by Unity of Charlottesville. Over 125 people from 23 different faith communities attended the event.
Reverends Don Lansky and Patricia Gulino Lansky, Co-Pastors of Unity welcomed us and offered a prayer to begin our time together.
Apostle Sarah Kelley, Pastor of Faith, Hope, and Love International Healing and Deliverance Center, led in the singing of "Reach Out and Touch, Somebody's Hand."
Rev. Dr. Michael Cheuk, Secretary of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective, gave an overview of the work of the CCC and a recap of previous "Conversations toward Reconciliation" gatherings.
Reverends Don Lansky and Patricia Gulino Lansky, Co-Pastors of Unity welcomed us and offered a prayer to begin our time together.
Apostle Sarah Kelley, Pastor of Faith, Hope, and Love International Healing and Deliverance Center, led in the singing of "Reach Out and Touch, Somebody's Hand."
Rev. Dr. Michael Cheuk, Secretary of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective, gave an overview of the work of the CCC and a recap of previous "Conversations toward Reconciliation" gatherings.
Rev. Dr. Brenda Brown-Grooms spoke about her shift in thinking about white people in relation to her call to serve as Co-Pastor of New Beginnings Christian Community in Charlottesville.
Rev. Albert Connett of Olivet Presbyterian shared the shift in his thinking about justice in housing for African Americans and how that shift led to his advocacy for this issue in our community.
Participants around the table shared ways in which shifts in thinking and action for racial justice and equity by reflecting on these questions:
a) what can we do in our personal relationships to address racism and increase racial equity
b) what can we do in our faith community to address racism and increase racial equity
c) what can we do in the communities in which we live to address racism and increase racial equity
Apostle Sarah Kelley concluded our gathering by leading us in singing "This Little Light of Mine," and Rev. Dr. Liz Emrey adjourned us with a closing prayer
a) what can we do in our personal relationships to address racism and increase racial equity
b) what can we do in our faith community to address racism and increase racial equity
c) what can we do in the communities in which we live to address racism and increase racial equity
Apostle Sarah Kelley concluded our gathering by leading us in singing "This Little Light of Mine," and Rev. Dr. Liz Emrey adjourned us with a closing prayer