It was an eventful weekend at Webster Groves Christian Church where faithful and insightful, young and old came together for worship, education, and koinonia.
WGCC and the Justice Ministries Team hosted a Racial Justice Summit on October 6th, consisting of expert panels, lively conversation, and brainstorming organizing efforts. Disciples members from across the Mid-America Region joined together at this Summit, in hopes to dismantle racism in their home communities and churches. Our Regional Ministers Paul Koch, Katrina Palan, and Penny Ross-Corona were all in attendance.
The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, former General Minister and President, started off the weekend with an inspiring and captivating sermon based on Romans 8:37. Three members of the Christian Regional Youth (CRY) Leadership Team led worship alongside our Disciples mentor.
Two panels, comprised of organizational representatives leading efforts on the ground, shared their expertise, answered questions, and shared recommendations. The Summit later offered participants the opportunity to split up into one of four different groups to discuss organizing voter education, PR/AR training, water clean-up in East St. Louis, and Prop. B canvassing. The Summit concluded with a worship led by a diverse team of ministers and youth.
The CRY Leadership Team met into the wee hours of the night, planning to lead not only the CRY Festival 2019, but also a brand new Winter Retreat for high school youth, scheduled for over the 2018 Christmas break.
On Sunday morning they helped lead worship at WGCC, where all were excited to welcome the Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore back from his three-month sabbatical.
A special thank you to the following leaders who made this weekend and the Racial Justice Summit a success:
Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, former Gen. Minister & President
Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore, WGCC
Rev. Dr. Derrick Perkins, Centennial CC
Rev. Maureen Dickmann
Laura Barrett, Coalition Director of Raise Up Missouri
Tim Gibbons, Missouri Rural Crisis Center
Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker, NBA
Jamala Rogers, The Organization for Black Struggle
Qu'Naya Falls, Christian Regional Youth President, Marshall FCC
Khotso Moore, Christian Regional Youth Secretary, WGCC
Shelby Parrott, Christian Regional Youth Member, Brentwood CC
Carole Hughes, Youth Spiritual Mentor, WGCC
Hospitality Team of Centennial Christian Church
Staff Coordinator Matthew Capestro
Story and photos courtesy of CRY leader Kris Milliron of FCC Marshall.