March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 50 F

Free Lectures: Battling Racism in Annapolis

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racismnomoreThe First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis will host two free, public lectures followed by discussion groups and workshops on “The Church’s Response to Institutional Racism” on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the church, 171 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis.

The Rev. Dr. Paul T. Roberts and the Rev. Dr. Debra J. Mumford, both nationally known speakers, will present keynote addresses. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., with the lectures beginning at 9:45 a.m.

The Rev. Roberts’s talk, “The Church and Nonviolent Direct Action,” will suggest that the biblical directive to “turn the other cheek” does not mean that Christians should be passive in the face of racism or injustice. Rev. Roberts is President of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, one of the 10 theological schools of the Presbyterian Church, (USA), and the only one that is historically African American. He preaches and teaches nationally.

The Rev. Doctor Mumford’s address, “Teach. Discuss. Act,” will argue that before the church can develop a strategy to respond to institutional racism, its leaders and members must first understand how, and for what purpose, racist ideas evolved and how those ideas continue to support racism. Rev. Mumford is the Frank H. Caldwell Associate Professor of Homiletics and serves as director of the Money Matters for Ministry program at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.

The lectures will be followed in the afternoon by workshops, to which the public is also invited. The workshops begin at 12:45 p.m. The workshops include:

  • “Open Table”, a discussion of how the Presbytery of Baltimore and its member churches, will continue to improve their work to prevent the spread of HIV in Baltimore and assist those who have contracted the virus;
  • “Who is Jesus: What a difference A Lens Makes,” an overview of different ways to know Jesus;
  • “Reflections on Dr. King’s Letter From A Birmingham Jail,” with Rev. Roberts, a review of Dr. King’s letter and its relevance to current conversations about race;
  • “Stewardship: Upping Our Game!”, an overview of best stewardship practices;
  • “Strategies for Facilitating Conversations about Race,” with Rev. Mumford, a discussion on institutional racism and strategies to eradicate it; and,
  • “Pejuhutazizi Learning Camp Partnership,” a discussion about the partnership between the Baltimore Presbytery and the Dakota Presbytery to create a family learning camp with the Upper Sioux Community in Granite Falls, Minn.

The lectures are a part of the 873rd meeting of the Presbytery of Baltimore, the middle-level governing body of the 72 Presbyterian (USA) churches in Western and Central Maryland. The lectures are made possible by a grant from The Hugh Rardin Speaker Fund of the First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis.

First Presbyterian is located in downtown Annapolis. Public parking is available at parking garages, including the Hillman Garage, across the street from the church and free parking has generously been made available for this event at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Duke of Gloucester, a short walk from First Presbyterian. For information, visit the church website, http://www.annapolis-presbyterian.com/ or call the church office, 410-267-8705.

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