Bishops Against Gun Violence is the facilitator of a conference to address the “unholy trinity” of racism, poverty, and gun violence coming up in Chicago in April.
From the press release:
The conference will feature a “three-note” panel of African-American leaders offering perspectives on poverty, racism and gun violence and include Bible study focused on the conference themes and a public liturgy in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Workshops at the conference are devoted to helping participants work with police, young people, legislators, the media, anti-violence advocacy groups and other constituencies to reduce gun violence.
“Our goal is to continue creating a network of Episcopalians inspired and equipped to work against gun violence and the social forces that drive it,” said Bishop Mark Beckwith of Newark, one of three co-conveners of Bishops United.
The “three-note” panelists are: the Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas, Susan D. Morgan Distinguished Professor of Religion at Goucher College and canon theologian at Washington National Cathedral; the Rev. Julian DeShazier, senior minister of University Church in Chicago and a hip-hop artist who performs as J.Kwest; and Natalie Moore, a reporter for WBEZ, Chicago’s National Public Radio affiliate, and author of The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation. The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies, will serve as moderator.
The public liturgy will include be a prayerful procession to sites of gun violence on Chicago’s South Side and homilies by members of Bishops United Against Gun Violence and the Rev. Michael Pfleger of the Faith Community of St. Sabina.
Dr. Dora Mbuwayesango, dean of students and George E. and Iris Battle Professor of Old Testament and Languages at Hood Theological Seminary, will lead the Bible study.
Find out more and register for “Unholy Trinity: the Intersection of Racism, Poverty and Gun Violence: A Conference Facilitated by Bishops United Against Gun Violence” here.