Tonight (June 17) over 65 individual devices representing approximately 100 people logged in as we gathered as NT-NL Synod, ELCA to remember the fifth anniversary of the 9 martyrs of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. We gathered online, led by our revitalized African descent congregational leaders, for a powerful worship and time of prayer and lament and commitment.
So grateful for the leadership of Pastor Doris Harris (St. John, Oak Cliff) and SAWL Nicholaus Chove (Umoja, Fort Worth and Community of Hope, Fort Worth). Great thanks also to our DEM Pastora Irma Bañales for staff connection to this team.
We remembered the Emanuel 9 as well as our other siblings of color who have been marginalized and oppressed. This work is vital and important.
At noon, the ELCA had an online prayer service that many of us participated in as well. Across our church we are remembering and confessing and committing ourselves to the work of anti-racism and reconciliation. So grateful for this time and for the leadership of our leaders of color in NT-NL. Thursday, June 18, our second conversation at Briarwood Leadership Center continued conversations on anti-racism begun at our convocation last fall and was attended by over 60 devices online with participants from across the country and world.
Friday night, June 19th, we had our NT-NL Juneteenth celebration online as well, and it was a joy to gather with so many again as we gave thanks for our African descent ministries and the story of freedom coming to Texas through Galveston.
Each Thursday this summer, there will be a conversation with Briarwood with leaders from a variety of perspectives. On Thursday, June 25th, please join in the conversation on Covid-19 and its impact on the Black community in our nation featuring Ulysses Burley III, MD. That link is here. #NTNL #BWTX #InMissionTogether