Announcement from The Social Justice Commission
Registration for Our Annual Gathering
Join us for our third annual gathering to pray and discern the work of justice in this place, at this time. Sponsored by the Social Justice Commission of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, this online gathering is open to all who work for justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Photo: Kathy Bozzuti-Jones
Keynote: The Rev. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones
The Rev. Dr. Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones is an Episcopal priest at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City. He serves as the Priest and Director of Spiritual Formation of Trinity’s Retreat Center in West Cornwall, CT.

A former Jesuit priest from Jamaica, Mark has missionary experience in Belize, Brazil, and Guyana. He believes that prayer, silence, and rest deepen our connection to God. Prayer and silence help us to name the pain, face the realities of our time, and claim the Way of Love for all people. At the Retreat Center, Fr. Mark fosters an environment suited to prayer, silence, meditation, rest, and reveling in the beauty of nature.

He is an avid reader, award-winning author and international speaker, and has taught at elementary and university levels. He has a passion for cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Fr. Mark’s intellectual interests include the impact of social issues on faith and spirituality, racism, and the impact of poverty. He is passionate about the inculturation of religion. Mark loves flowers, Brazilian and Reggae music, and is currently working on a book of poetry.

He is an award-winning author; recent books for children include: God Thought of You, God Created, Jesus the Word, The Gospel of Barack Hussein Obama According to Mark, Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word, The Womb of Advent and The Rastafari Book of Common Prayer. Two new books in 2021 include Absalom Jones: Leader and Guide (CPG) and one on the Spirituals called, Face to the Rising Sun: Reflections on Spirituals and Justice (Forward Movement).
Schedule

9:00 AM -- Brief Service of Prayer

9:15 AM-9:45 first breakout session – Affinity Groups

9:45-10:20 second breakout session – Affinity Groups

10:20 AM -- BREAK

10:30 AM -- Session led by The Rev. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones award-winning author, retreat leader

12:00 PM -- A Blessing for the Road Ahead
Affinity Groups

Building Creation Care Justice
Facilitators: The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and the Rev. Lise Hildebrandt, Creation Care Justice Network, Diocese of Massachusetts

Episcopalians Against Gun Violence
Facilitators: Bishop Fisher, Bishop Mark Beckwith and a partner from BPeace 4 Jorgé (Diocese of Massachusetts)

Refugee Resettlement & Welcoming the Stranger
Facilitators:

Race, Power and Reconciliation in Marvel's "Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
Facilitators: Chris Leung and Will Harron, Young Adult Ministry Network

Making Reparations
Facilitators: The Rev. Tim Crellin, Reparations Community of Practice and The Rev. Nina Pooley, Beloved Community Commission

The Poor People's Campaign
Facilitators: Cynthia Pease and Amelia Slawsby, Diocese of Massachusetts

Following Jesus’ call to discipleship and seeking to live into our baptismal promises, the Social Justice Commission of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts strives, with our congregations, to create new ways to heal injustice, challenge violence, pursue peace, and care for creation.
  • Ms. Leah Gregg (Co-chair) ’18
  • Ms. Cynthia Pease (Co-Chair) ’20
  • The Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas ex-officio  
  • The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher ex-officio
  • The Rev. Deacon Michael Hamilton ’21
  • The Rev. Lauren Holm ex-officio
  • The Rev. Vicki Ix ex-officio
  • Ms. Chris Leung '21
  • Ms. Alexizendria Link  ’18
  • The Rev. Tina Rathbone '21
  • The Rev. Jane Tillman ’19
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