Hello MPC Family:
Within the last two months I attended and participated in two Zoom events: Rising to the Moment, a five-Sunday seminar, and the annual Santa Barbara Presbytery Conference which went virtual for the first time because of COVID. Both events were noteworthy in their focus on Social Justice and were attended by several churches within our Presbytery as well as by people from afar, including Chicago and Philadelphia. People were enthusiastic and eager to learn about these topics and how they might be incorporated into various ministries. MPC was well represented by several elders, deacons and lay members who attended one or more of these events, including Pastor Keenan.
It was at these events that I met Joyce Maxwell, a member of Emmanuel Church. Joyce and I both thought the events were great and we both expressed a desire to keep the conversation going. To that end, Joyce invited the small group leaders from Rising to the Moment and MPC to collaborate with Emmanuel in a book study, that hopefully, will increase our knowledge of systemic racism and social injustice. In response to Joyce’s invitation, we are inviting ALL MPC group leaders and interested individuals, particularly the MPC elders and deacons who attended one or more of these events, to join us on this exciting journey.
For those who are interested, the SUGGESTED details are listed below:
Suggested start date: April 11, first Sunday after Easter
Suggested Time: 6:00-7:30pm
The Emmanuel group expressed an interest in the following books: “Re-discipling the White Church,” “Why are All the Black Kids Sitting in the Cafeteria Together,” “I’m Still Here,” “Jesus and the Disinherited,” and “The Warmth of Other .”
Other suggestions are welcomed. If you are interested in this collaboration, please send responses and suggestions by clicking on our names below. We will keep you informed of the final details.
Janet and I hope this will be the beginning of a wonderful partnership!
Vera Rhimes and Janet Fredrickson,
Adult Discipleship Elders, MPC
