BRIDGE is encouraging all area faith communities to take part in a Racial Justice Sabbath on the weekend of February 14. BRIDGE stands for Building Respect & Integrity in Diverse Greater Evansville, and the call for February is to have a common focus throughout the community of all believers, each in their own tradition. February is Black History Month and many activities and events are being planned.
“We are encouraging all area faith communities to have a focus on race and justice in the message of that weekend’s worship gathering,†said Joe Easley, a retired United Methodist pastor and one of the original co-convenors of BRIDGE. He suggested that faith communities might also want to use racial justice as their theme for Sunday School, Bible study, or other gatherings for study or fellowship. Congregations may pick another February date, if this weekend does not work.
Over 20 pastors and faith leaders have already indicated interest in the common focus on that weekend, or at another time in February, according to the Rev. Ange Humphrey who is coordinating the BRIDGE event. As faith leaders sign on to this common approach from particular traditions, BRIDGE will provide suggestions and shared ideas to the congregations, and publicize their efforts, she said. Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke has indicated his support for this area-wide effort.
