This Sunday (March 8) at Christ Church Cathedral, “Why Protest — Worship & Conversation about The Movement” invites everyone to meet some of the leaders of this new civil rights movement, hear the stories behind the protests, and ask the questions that have been on their minds and hearts.
The Rev. Traci Blackmon, pastor of Christ the King United Church of Christ in Florissant and member of the Ferguson Commission will be leading the 9 am forum and leading a conversation about the role of the church in The Movement. Rev. Blackmon will then be the preacher at the Cathedral’s 10 am worship service.
At noon, Rev. Blackmon will be joined for 90 minutes by three leading activists — Brittany Ferrell & Alexis Templeton (Millennial Activists United), and Rasheeen Aldridge (Ferguson Commission and Jobs with Justice) for a wide-ranging community conversation centering on three questions:
*WHY Protest? – What is driving the protests?
*Why PROTEST? – Why choose this method of expression?
*How can everyone get involved in The Movement?
“History has put us at the epicenter of a national — and even global — conversation about race and class, power and privilege,” says the Very Rev. Mike Kinman, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral. “And we have extraordinary young leaders whom this movement is raising up. They are prophets — and we need to listen to their voices.
The role of a Cathedral is to gather the entire community for the common good. That’s what ‘Why Protest’ is about … gathering people from around the city and region to listen deeply to these important voices and grow in our understanding of why this movement is happening.”
All parts of this event are free and open to the public. As part of the noontime community conversation, audience members will have a chance to ask questions of the activists to promote greater understanding.
This event is being sponsored by the Pursuing Racial Justice Ministry of Christ Church Cathedral.
Running concurrently in the Cathedral Nave is an art exhibit featuring prints of Cbabi Bayoc’s 365 Days with Dad and also portraits from Faces Not Forgotten — paintings of young people who have been killed by gun violence in St. Louis.
Why Protest is part of Christ Church Cathedral’s “Face to Face Lenten Journey” where we are striving to see the beloved image of God on all people during this 40 day holy season.
To view the The Facebook event for Why Protest, visit : https://www.facebook.com/events/755428861215917
