From Rev. Robert K. Welsh: I am writing at the request of Sharon Watkins, our former GMP and current staff person overseeing the A.C.T. Now initiative of the National Council of Churches, to invite and urge you to do all that you can to promote participation in this historic series of events in our nation’s capital on April 3-4, 2018. This initiative, which marks 50th years since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, is hoping to launch a comprehensive, nation-wide movement to end racism in the United States by empowering our churches and communities to join in taking concrete action in bringing healing and wholeness to all people and unity to our nation.
Our current GMP (Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens) and Ecumenical Officer (Paul Tche) have also endorsed this initiative as a significant opportunity for Disciples to join with thousands of other Christians and persons of other faiths in witness to the urgent task of eradicating the entrenched racism that has marked our life as a nation for over two hundred years.
In a YouTube video, Bishop Darin Moore (chair of the NCC and bishop in the AMEZ Church), offers a brief (2-minute) overview of the background and vision for the A.C.T. Now initiative.
Events will begin with a worship service at 6:30 pm on the evening of April 3 at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, DC. On April 4, there will be an early morning silent march from the MLK Memorial to the rally site on the National Mall which will begin with an interfaith service of prayer (see attached document for details on the schedule and information on transportation and housing.)
In addition to the National Council of Churches, sponsors of this event, include the Conference of National Black Churches; the African American Clergy Network; Churches Uniting in Christ; Sojourners; Religions for Peace USA; the Franciscan Action Network; the Religious Action Center for Reformed Judaism; and the Mennonite Central Committee.
**For the latest information on the A.C.T. Now events, go to rally2endracism.org
A.C.T. Now to End Racism
Schedule At-A-Glance for April 3-5, 2018
Tuesday, April 3: Ecumenical Worship Service in the Orthodox Tradition
6:30 p.m. St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
2815 36th St., NW, Washington, D.C., 20007
Wednesday, April 4: ACT to End Racism Rally on the National Mall
7-8 a.m.: Silent Prayer Walk to the National Mall
8-9 a.m.: Interfaith Service
9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Rally and Call to Commitment
Thursday, April 5: National Day of Advocacy & Action
Transportation
If you are still trying to figure out how to get to DC, you can check out our Transportation webpage http://www.rally2endracism.org/transport/ . There you will find information on buses that are coming to DC, preferred airports, carpool options, and how to get around DC once you get here. One note, if you plan on using the Metro public transit system to get around DC, please purchase a SmarTrip card in advance. Directions on how to do this are on the Transportation webpage.
Lodging
Information about hotels and other lodging options is on the website and can be accessed here: http://www.rally2endracism.org/hotels/
Spread the Word!!
Please spread the word about the rally and other events happening April 3-5. Check the website rally2endracism.org frequently as we are constantly updating information as we confirm new details. You can also share the Facebook Event created by the National Council of Churches and use hashtags #ACT2EndRacism and #rally2endracism on Twitter to spread the word. Are you Insta? Follow us on Instagram @act2endracism.