SsAM Peace and Justice Initiative Communication No. 1
by Norwood Coleman, Sr.
I am humbled to have been invited to serve as the liaison between SsAM and the Diocesan Justice and Reconciliation Commission.
It is my intent to facilitate our church’s efforts by involving as many fellow congregants as possible in our deliberations.
I am working with a friend who has worked in the area of peace and racial justice since childhood and who possesses extensive organizational development skills. He has had experience helping large numbers of people develop and carry out successful multicultural, peace and racial justice initiatives throughout our country and other parts of the world.
Take Four Steps toward Peace and Justice
I have spoken with some SsAM members and invite you to join me in a four step process:
- Discover what we (SsAM) have done well in the area of peace and racial justice, how we developed and maintained these practices;
- Dream of a future where we as a congregation fully and inclusively embrace and practice peace and racial justice at levels beyond our current practices;
- Design ministries, practices and resources that help us to move toward a truly peaceful and just church and community; and,
- Deploy — put into action — these practices in our church, among our congregants and in our communities at the same time we assess, evaluate and re-evaluate as necessary.
Over the next few days, you may receive a phone call, letter and/or email inviting you to discuss with me and explore with me the process outlined above.
If you do not hear from me or are unable to participate at this time, there will be other opportunities to inquire about and engage in the process. More details soon.
Norwood J. Coleman, Sr.
Friday, July 22, 2022