Registration Opens for ‘Unholy Trinity’ Conference
Bishops United Against Gun Violence to host April 20-22 event in Chicago
By Jim Naughton | Canticle Communications
Limited registration remains for “Unholy Trinity: the Intersection of Racism, Poverty and Gun Violence” a conference sponsored by Bishops United Against Gun Violence on April 20-22, 2017 at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Registration and more information is available at bishopsagainstgunviolence.org.
Scholarship funds are also available. If you know of someone who would like to attend but for whom the registration fee would be a hardship, please encourage them to apply using this form: http://bishopsagainstgunviolence.org/unholy-trinity/scholarship-application-for-unholy-trinity-conference/
The conference will feature a “three-note” panel of African-American leaders offering perspectives on poverty, racism and gun violence and include Bible study focused on the conference themes and a public liturgy in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Workshops at the conference are devoted to helping participants work with police, young people, legislators, the media, anti-violence advocacy groups and other constituencies 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 in Chicago and a hip-hop artist who performs as J.Kwest; and Natalie 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.
The public liturgy will include a prayerful procession to areas affected by 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.
Dr. Dora Mbuwayesango, dean of students and George E. and Iris Battle Professor of Old Testament and Languages at Hood Theological Seminary, will lead the Bible study.
Registration for the conference will be capped at about 250. Nearly 30 Episcopal bishops plan to attend.
Bishops United Against Gun Violence is an ad hoc group of nearly 70 Episcopal bishops who have come together to explore means of reducing the appalling levels of gun violence in our society, and to advocate for policies and legislation that save lives. Bishops United works against gun violence by forming relationships and coalitions with interfaith colleagues, fellow advocates, and families whose lives have been touched by gun violence; giving voice to voiceless gun violence victims through public liturgy, advocacy, and prayer; and supporting each other in efforts to end gun violence in local communities. Learn more at bishopsagainstgunviolence.org.