St. Louis Churches Will Offer Sanctuary in Wake of Violence
The decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson will further divide our communities and saddens us as leaders of nearly three dozen of our region’s congregations, faith and ethical communities.
Frustrated youth and law enforcement officials worship together within our doors. Our Clergy Caucus is called to consecrate the streets of St. Louis as safe places for all our citizens, and in particular our black and brown children and brothers and sisters. We are called to discern and name all systems, institutions, and processes that dehumanize black and brown people and that distort the purposes of justice, peace, and equality that we believe God intends for this region.
Tomorrow morning we plan a prayer and public action beginning at 6:30 a.m. in Shaw Park, 27 S. Brentwood in Clayton.
Over the next week, we will aid in de-escalation when needed and support protesters in a peaceful, non-violent display of dissatisfaction with the verdict.
We further call on County Executive Steve Stenger to hold, within the next month, a regional equity summit to seek long-term solutions to end excessive traffic fines and debtors\’ prison, and to promote community policing with mayors, elected officials, and law enforcement throughout St Louis County.
As interfaith leaders who are Christian (AME, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ among others), Jewish, Unitarian, and members of the Ethical Society. We believe that nothing short of a movement for human freedom is being rebirthed in our town, calling us as individuals, worshipping communities, and as a region to see one another as beloved children of God and to live our lives that way.
On November 7 we announced our intention to be present in the streets, and to provide a safe space for all who need a moment of peace and prayer. The following houses of worship will open their doors 24 hours a day in the immediate aftermath of the announcement:
Kirkwood
Webster Groves Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
1320 W. Lockwood, Kirkwood
Pastor: Rev. Jeff Moore, Dmin, PhD
(Pastor) 314-330-8994
St. Charles
Trinity Episcopal
318 S Duchesne Dr.
636-949-0160
St. Louis
Central Reform Congregation
5020 Waterman
Pastor: Rabbi Susan Talve
(Pastor) 314-406-1458 (Site) 314-361-3919
Christ Church Cathedral
1210 Locust Street
Pastor: The Very Rev. Mike Kinman
(Pastor) 314-231-3454
Compton Heights Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
2149 S. Grand Blvd.
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Jacquelyn (Jacque) Foster
(Pastor) 314-882-2868 (Site) 314-771-5071
Curby Memorial Presbyterian Church
2621 Utah St.
Pastor: Reverend Paula V. Cooper
(Pastor) 314-502-0886
Epiphany United Church of Christ
2911 McNair
Pastor: Angie O’Gorman
(Pastor) 314-283-1788
Greater St. Mark Family Church
9950 Glen Owen Dr.
Pastor: Rev. Tommie Pierson
(Pastor) 314-707-5328
Samaritan United Methodist Church
4234 Washington Blvd
Pastor: Rev. Nora S. Jones
(Pastor) 417-425-9475
Second Presbyterian Church
4501 Westminster Pl.
Pastor: Rev. Mary Gene Boteler
South City Church
2109 S. Spring Ave
Pastor: Michelle Higgins
(Pastor) 314-384-6744
Saint Louis University/St Francis Xavier College Church
Fr. Paul Stark, SJ
(Pastor) 314-977-7065
Webster Groves
Emmanuel Episcopal
9 S Bompart Ave.
314-961-2393
Illinois
St. John UCC
10207 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights, IL
Pastor: Pastor Jim Nolan
(Pastor) 618-451-1458 (Site) 312-841-1766
Metropolitan Congregations United is an interdenominational, interfaith, multi-racial community organization of religious congregations in the St. Louis Metropolitan Region that are working for a common purpose: to create a better life for all residents. More online at www.mcustl.com.
(Source: Christian Newswire)
