Adapted from a Canticle Communications announcement
Bishops United Against Gun Violence will sponsor “Unholy Trinity: The Intersection of Racism, Poverty and Gun Violence” in Chicago on April 20-22.
The conference will meet at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and feature a “three-note” panel of African-American leaders addressing poverty, racism, and gun violence.
Workshops will address working with police, young people, legislators, the media, anti-violence advocacy groups, and others to reduce gun violence.
“Our goal is to continue creating a network of Episcopalians inspired and equipped to work against gun violence and the social forces that drive it,” said Bishop Mark Beckwith of Newark, one of three co-conveners of Bishops United.
The “three-note” panelists are:
- The Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas, Susan D. Morgan Distinguished Professor of Religion at Goucher College and canon theologian at Washington National Cathedral
- The Rev. Julian DeShazier, senior minister of University Church and a hip-hop artist who performs as J.Kwest
- Natalie Y. Moore, a reporter for WBEZ, Chicago’s National Public Radio affiliate, and author of The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation
The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies, will serve as moderator.
A public liturgy will include a prayerful procession to sites of gun violence on Chicago’s South Side and homilies by members of Bishops United Against Gun Violence and the Rev. Michael Pfleger of the Faith Community of St. Sabina.
Dora Mbuwayesango, dean of students and George E. and Iris Battle Professor of Old Testament and Languages at Hood Theological Seminary, will lead a Bible study focused on the conference’s themes.
Registration is now open and will be capped at about 250.
