This Must End Now


The Matthews-Murkland Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C. was burned down in an act of arson in June of 1996. ( Chuck Burton / AP)
Strengthened Resolve 

 

Dear ABFE Members and Supporters:

Black churches are burning in America. The history of Black church burnings dates back to the 1830s and hit a peak in the 1960s when Black churches in the south  were attacked almost every week during the civil rights movement. We should not take this lightly; it is a sign that something is seriously wrong as the fires have increased since the arrest of Dylann Roof in South Carolina. This unsettling pattern is intentional; Black churches are symbols of hope and self-preservation for our people and for that reason, are targets of racist acts in this country.    

The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) -- the largest Black Christian denomination in the country, and recent partner with ABFE (specifically, on the issues of Black giving and philanthropy) will talk about these issues today.  We encourage you to make the time to tune into a special broadcast at 11:00am EST -- details are below.  


 We ask that those of us in philanthropy not move ahead of the Black church in our efforts to address the situation -- we have to partner with them in strategic ways. 


Peace and progress,

Susan's Signature 

Susan Taylor Batten

President & CEO 
Get Connected

 

National Religious Leaders to Discuss Future of Black Church in Wake of South Carolina Massacre on 
TODAY (July 2nd) at 11am on WDET 

 

As part of his drive for real and meaningful conversations on the air around multiracial diversity and the need to adapt to the shifting cultural demographics, Bankole Thompson, has invited for the first time two national Black religious leaders to discuss the future of the Black church after the Charleston massacre of nine African Americans on WDET. 

Today on "Redline with Bankole Thompson," 11am-12pm on WDET-101.9FM (Detroit Public Radio), Bishop PA Brooks, the First Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the largest Black Christian denomination in America will talk about where the Black church goes from here. Brooks, the second in command of the 6.5 million COGIC membership attended the funeral last week of Rev Clementa Pinckney, the senior pastor of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, one of the nine victims of the racist attack. 

COGIC is an important organ of Black life. On the eve of his assassination Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., gave his last sermon at the Mason Temple Church of God in Christ in Memphis Tennessee. 

Also joining Bishop Brooks will be the Rev Dr. Jim Perkins, President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the convention-denominational home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Until his death in 1968, Dr. King addressed every annual session of the Progressive National Baptist Convention which has a 2.5 million membership. 

Dr. Perkins will join the roundtable with Rev Lawrence T. Foster of Calvary Baptist Church and Rev Andre Spivey of St. Paul AME Church. 


 You can join the conversation live at http://wdet.org/shows/redline/ or call 313 577 1019.