Solidarity Circles / Apartheid Free Leaders
This fall UCC PIN is launching a new initative, Solidarity Circles, designed for pastors and church leaders to provide support and equip key leaders with resources for engaging their congregations to act on the bold and prophetic calls in the 2021 General Synod resolution,
A Declaration for a Just Peace between Palestine and Israel.
The resolution is very specific. It urges congregations, conferences and associations to study and act on its findings: resisting racism, confronting Israel's apartheid practices, promoting human rights, and embracing solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli justice-seeking partners.
But where to begin and how to do that?
Through our recent strategic planning, UCC PIN has landed on the idea of
Solidarity Circles. What will these look like? A group of 10-15 pastors and leaders who commit to monthly meetings, by Zoom, over six months. Each circle will function like an affinity group. The goal is to provide space for study, for sharing strategies and initiatives for engaging one's congregation, and for support of one another, especially important given how this issue can provoke 'difficult conversations.' One specific thematic focus for these Solidarity Circle conversations will be a campaign currently emerging among a variety of denominations for congregations to declare themselves "apartheid free." Each Solidarity Circle will be co-facilitated by two UCC leaders, who bring congregational experience, a history of Palestine-Israel activism, and engagement with UCC PIN. We will be announcing these leaders in September.
UCC PIN has decided to begin modestly, organizing one Solidarity Circle this fall as a 'pilot project,' with late October or early November 2022 as a proposed start time. Our hope and expectation is to glean insights from the pilot experience, and on the strength of these insights to expand the number of Solidarity Circles going forward.
By design, UCC PIN is hoping that Solidarity Circles will be of help and interest especially for those who care about this issue, but have been hesitant or unsure how to take next steps and engage their congregations.
UCC PIN's Steering Committee is coordinating the formation of this first circle. Your response is forwarded to the Rev. Dave Grishaw-Jones, who is a member of the committee and tasked with communicating with those interested. Watch for an email from Dave soon. If you don't hear from him, you're welcome to be in touch:
davidgj@ccdurham.org. Again, we're hoping to coordinate a good meeting time for all interested, and then to get started with our gatherings in late October or early November.
Thanks for your interest, and your faithful commitments to justice and peace in Palestine, Israel and beyond.