We Are All Ferguson: Aug 2- 9, two Ferguson churches working together, offering opportunities

during the week prior to August 9 several opportunities exist to listen, learn and lead
By: We Are All Ferguson
 
FERGUSON, Mo. - July 14, 2015 - PRLog -- It’s been a tumultuous year surrounding the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9, 2014 and subsequent events that followed not only in the Ferguson and St. Louis region, but throughout the U.S. and world. What took place has drawn attention to racial and economic justice issues in the immediate community and across the nation. We Are All Ferguson (http://weareallferguson.org/), a series of workshops and conferences starting August 2 through August 9, 2015 aims to bring people together in productive ways. Created by Ferguson clergy leaders Steve Lawler and Pastor Willis Johnson of St. Stephen’s Episcopal and Wellspring Churches, respectively, in Ferguson, We Are All Ferguson will bring community business leaders, schools, nonprofits, clergy and others to spearhead discussions, panels, conversations, workshops, prayer, and more. All programs will take place at Wellspring Church, 33 S. Florissant Rd., Ferguson, 63135. To register and for up-to-date information visit: WeAreAllFerguson.org.

Pastor Johnson stated, “We Are All Ferguson is not just about the ZIP code. It's about the shared human experience and the realities we're all faced with across the country of immense inequities, injustice and the need for us to work toward the eradicating of them. We Are All Ferguson is our hope and effort; inviting folks from across the community, the nation and internationally to a place where we saw humanity touched. And at this place where there was trauma and tragedy, we're trying to encourage, inspire and even renew the human spirit through engagement, education and enterprise.”

Reverend Lawler adds, “In my work in the parish and with community organizations, it is the spark of innovation that most often makes the big change, and can offer the greatest impact. We Are All Ferguson is a platform for people of all ages, races and backgrounds to continue to engage and grow. We've identified from a grassroots level what kinds of things are going to give us the most leverage and impact.”

We Are All Ferguson schedule of events (all programs will take place at 33 S. Florissant Rd., 63135):

August 2. Sunday of Solidarity

Worship begins at 10:45 a.m. A time of worship and a call to grow productive impact in Ferguson beyond, this is a gathering for local, regional and nation people of good will to gather at the beginning of this week of remembrance and renewal.

The official unveiling of the Center for Social Empowerment and Justice will also take place during worship at Wellspring Church in Ferguson. Light refreshments will be served following the service.

August 3. Man Up. Back 2 School Supply Drive and Distribution

1-3 p.m. An ecumenical gathering focusing on developing young men for leadership through training and mentoring.

3-5 p.m. Request that people donate school supplies to fill 500 backpacks (donated by Salem United Methodist Church). Items needed for the backpacks include: pencils, safety scissors, water based colored markers, notebook paper, composition books, glue sticks, highlighters, pencil sharpeners, crayons, and pocket folders.

4-8 p.m. Community Back 2 School Blessings

Join others at Wellspring Church for an opportunity to get free school supplies for youth, hair cuts and health screenings. A community dinner (at 5 p.m.) and worship (at 6:30 p.m.) blessing school staff, students and parents will also take place.

Register online at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/agents-of-change-empowering-families-and-communities-to-thrive-tickets-17623168371?aff=es2

August 4. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Agents of Change: Empowering Families and Communities — three sessions cover:

How to Reach Me: A Conversation with Young Adult Activists

-  Me What Theology Looks Like: Bridging Faith and Activism

- Engaging Multicultural Communities

- Brought to you by: the Ecumenical Consortium for Social Justice

Register online at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/agents-of-change-empowering-families-and-communities-to-thrive-tickets-17623168371?aff=es2

August 4. 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Incubate Ferguson: What’s Next in Business

A networking and panel discussion for those interested in resources for launching, growing or relocating business in Ferguson.

Panelists represent local business owners, community leaders, funders as well as the Center for

Entrepreneurship at St Louis University.

Incubate Ferguson coordinates space and resources in Ferguson to create opportunities for anyone

who wants to be better prepared, informed and engaged in launching new responses to long-term

issues.

Limited attendance is 100. Register online: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/incubate-ferguson-whats-next-in-business-tickets-17765957457

August 5-6. Ministry on the Edge: Faith in Struggle and Justice

Far too many communities have been stricken by crisis and injustice. The uncharted waters of crisis are unfortunately a familiar feeling for faith leaders across the country. Hosted by Abingdon Press and the Center for Social Empowerment and Justice, this is a gathering for pastors and faith-base practitioners to learn from one another concerning faithful leadership amid situations of crisis and injustice. An exercise purposed towards learning, growing, and preparation together for such times as these.

Sessions will cover this and related topics in three capacities: as leaders, in the congregation and in the community.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ministry-on-the-edge-faith-in-struggle-and-justice-tickets-17747835253

August 7-8. Black Scholars National Gathering: Lessons from Black Lives

Black Scholars from across the nation will gather in Ferguson. They will discuss the significance of activism for Black communities, create a positional paper regarding #BlackLivesMatter and will address what it means to them as scholars with access within the academy to frame for their students the work of scholar activists. They will also meet and hear from local activists and community leaders. Listening and learning not as spectators but as people with deep commitment to the Black community. Black scholars from all disciplines, students, activists, concerned citizens and Black leaders are welcome.

Dr. J. Kameron Carter, Duke Divinity School and Dr. Brittney Cooper, Rutgers University are two of the speakers during this program.

Registration, cost and timeline available: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/lessons-from-black-lives-black-scholars-national-gathering-in-ferguson-tickets-17503578675

August 9. Sundays of Solidarity

Opportunity to get info out to churches across the nation on how they can partake through litany, worship, scripture, prayer, lesson suggestions, “homework” and more. More information will be available online soon at WeAreAllFerguson.org

Ferguson has been likened to the mythology of the phoenix rising: obtaining a new life out of the ashes. It takes time, effort, hard work, infrastructure, funds and more. Most importantly, it takes is the desire of people to work together with a common vision.

Contact
Carrie
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Source:We Are All Ferguson
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Page Updated Last on: Jul 16, 2015
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