"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."
-Martin Luther King Jr.
Stay tuned for information about our next meeting.
Movie Night!
August 27th, 6 pm
The Birdcage
with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane
Social Justice Ministry is sponsoring a showing of movies with a social justice theme. The first will be the classic, The Birdcage! Join us for a night of popcorn, pizza, and a movie, followed by a discussion of the social issues that are presented in the movie. If interested in attending, please sign up at the Welcome Table in the narthex so we can know how much pizza to order!
Primary Election Information
Social Justice Ministry would like to remind you that voting for the primary election is upon us. There are still races you can vote in, even if you have not registered a party affiliation. Early voting is August 8-16th. Mail-in ballots are arriving for those who registered to vote by mail. August 18th is Election Day, the day to vote in person. Go to votepinellas.gov for great information, including where you are to vote on Election Day.
Book Launch and
Author Event
On February 10th, we hosted the book launch of An Uncertain Life, written by church member, Mike Brill.
He courageously shared his story of growing up gay in Alabama. Thank you to everyone who came to learn more about the book, and to reaffirm our commitment to being Open and Affirming. No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at PAGBCC!
Click on the links below to discover how you may be unconsciously speaking with racist language.
https://www.rd.com/article/phrases-to-avoid-in-conversations-about-race/
https://www.rd.com/article/small-ways-you-can-fight-racism-every-day/
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- God calls us to love our neighbor and to reach out to those in need. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
- God calls us to treat all people with dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or political beliefs. “The second is this ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31
- God calls us to listen to those who struggle for equality. “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his neighbor in need, yet closes their heart against the neighbor, how does God’s law abide in that person?” John 3:17
Therefore, with the hope and promise of our Still Speaking God, we commit the resources of the church to create and support a new Social Justice Ministry that will educate our church community about racism and its ills, while seeking to improve race relations in our community and beyond.