Episcopal Peace Fellowship's series of free, one hour, online presentations continues on Sunday, April 3 at 4:00 pm Eastern with learning from the Rev. Canon Dr. Fred Vergara, "Race and Church Growth: The Relationship Between Mission and Advocacy." We hope to see you there. Bring a friend!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/epf-peacebuilding-online-project-race-church-growth-tickets-163060613685
| RACE and CHURCH GROWTH Anti-Asian and Pacific Islander hate crimes surged 149% in 16 of America's largest cities in 2020. Clearly COVID sparked many of the hate crimes. But AAPI people have been maginalized and subject to attack for a long time. "Chinatowns" have been burned to the ground going back into the 19th Century in San Jose, Tacoma, Santa Ana, Honolulu, and other cities. The Asian Ministries Network challenges the Episcopal Church to face up to the racism directed against AAPI people and seek reconciliation. Is there a correlation between congregational development and advocacy? Does racism hinder the growth of the church? Conversely, does racial healing promote the growth of the Church? Relating Scriptures and history, Canon Vergara will relate how the racial reconciliation will provide answers towards the revival and growth of the Episcopal Church especially in the AAPI community. Learn more here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/asiamerica-ministries/ The Rev. Canon Dr. Winfred (Fred) Vergara has lived, studied and served in three countries. Living with wife, Angela, in New York City, Fred currently oversees the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Pacific Islanders, Arab/Middle East convocations and the Asian American Youth and Young Adults. He pioneered the Asia-America Theological Exchange Forum gathering theologians from Asia to dialogue with theologians from North America. He is also founded MEMS (Mission to End Modern Slavery), an ecumenical and international non-profit organization advocating for victims and survivors of human trafficking. He has written several books including “Filipino Ministry in American Context,” “Mainstreaming Asians in the Episcopal Church,” and the best-seller, “Being Episcopalian.” He is active in social media as Fred Vergara and writes a blog: http://Travelinasian.blogspot.com. |
