The opening prayer was offered by Zelda.
Agenda overview
Rob - Results of our next steps survey and how we will move forward
Trip to worship with members of St. Rita/Holy Angels in Indianapolis
Gay/lesbian pride month
Volunteer opportunity at Food Finders
Bangert article about Racism declaration
The next steps survey asked responders to select their top three liturgy topics for our group to pursue and the top four justice with peace topics on which our group should focus. Ideas listed in the service possibilities were suggested in the brainstorming session at the end of the Open Wide Our Hearts event. Many of these ideas and goals align with the interest areas of the liturgy and justice with peace teams formed to implement our three-year plan for our St Tom's pastorate. Zelda, Rob Pahl and I hope to meet with those team leaders and staff liaisons to share the results
of our survey. These teams may be interested in taking on some of our ideas or collaborating with us in doing so.
Agenda overview
Rob - Results of our next steps survey and how we will move forward
Trip to worship with members of St. Rita/Holy Angels in Indianapolis
Gay/lesbian pride month
Volunteer opportunity at Food Finders
Bangert article about Racism declaration
The next steps survey asked responders to select their top three liturgy topics for our group to pursue and the top four justice with peace topics on which our group should focus. Ideas listed in the service possibilities were suggested in the brainstorming session at the end of the Open Wide Our Hearts event. Many of these ideas and goals align with the interest areas of the liturgy and justice with peace teams formed to implement our three-year plan for our St Tom's pastorate. Zelda, Rob Pahl and I hope to meet with those team leaders and staff liaisons to share the results
of our survey. These teams may be interested in taking on some of our ideas or collaborating with us in doing so.
We will likely be worshiping at least once this summer with each of the two Indianapolis parishes which have many African American worshippers. You will be advised of the suggested dates for those trips when they are determined. Sister Gail the administrator of both parishes replied to Zelda that we may come anytime.
Lou stated that June has been designated Gay/Lesbian Pride Month and suggested that an expression of welcome be extended. Others in attendance approved.
Lou called our attention to the shortage of volunteers at the Food Finders Fresh Market which Is impacting the number of hours the Market can be open. Rob shared his experience of working at the Market and suggested that a group of our Racial Equality and Justice members go together to the Market and volunteer as a way of learning about what is involved. He will contact the Food Finders Coordinator with this idea. A Flocknote was sent with more information.
Zelda received a copy of Dave Bangert’s post about the City of Lafayette declaring racism as a public health crisis and shared information about the post and the city’s resolution that was approved by the Lafayette City Council. A Journal and Courier article about the resolution can be accessed at jconline.com/story/news/local/lafayette/2022/06/07/lafayette-city-council-
declares-racism-public–health-crisis/7541879001/ .
The Journal and Courier article indicates that Lafayette is the latest city to declare that racism is a public health crisis, and that West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks. The resolution generated a strong interest in our group and we intend as a group to keep current on the developments involved and results flowing from these declarations. A link to the resolution will be shared with our group via an upcoming Flocknote.
The members present decided we will not meet on June 21. Our next RE&J meeting will be in person on August 2, in room 3 by which time we will be ready to push forward with a new agenda.
Lou gave a short closing prayer.