Join the Reimagining America Project’s Environmental Justice group for two virtual events: “Poisoned Land, Poisoned Water: A Legacy of Environmental Injustice and Racism in a North Carolina Company Town”
Join us virtually for a pair of forums on the poisoning of land and water around Badin, North Carolina by the giant aluminum company, Alcoa. Alcoa purchased the town of Badin shortly after the town was founded. They built a large aluminum production facility at the site using electricity generated from a dam on the Yadkin River. There are hazardous wastes associated with the production of aluminum. Over the years these wastes have been mishandled producing risk to the town, to Badin Lake, and in particular to the African American residents of what is known as West Badin. Although Alcoa closed the plant in 2007, they are still responsible for managing the waste and the related contamination. Please join us as people from various groups working on this problem discuss the situation and the path forward. Organizations include the Yadkin Riverkeeper’s office, the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, the Southern Environmental Law Center, local citizens, and others.
Register for March 9th here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QWO6FeHKShyHJNCC2L7mZA
Register for March 20th here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_leG92Z3tT3ykD5LWydXHnA
The Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation operates from the seminary’s Charlotte campus and is directed by Associate Professor of Bible Rodney S. Sadler Jr. Grounded in a ministry that is mandated in scripture, its two main goals are to remind people in seminary of the significance of social justice work as part of ministry and to bring the activist community into the seminary.
CSJR is governed and guided by an Advisory Board, which meets at least quarterly. The Board is comprised of sixteen members who, through diversity of race, cultural background, denomination, experience, and area of expertise, bring a range of insight, critical thought, and creativity to the Center. These members also give voice to the Center in the wider community, promote Center events, and connect the Center with key thought leaders and organizers to create opportunities for partnership and collaboration in local, regional, and national social justice work. Current Board members include:
• The Reverend Dr. Richard Boyce, Former Vice President and Academic Dean, Union Presbyterian Seminary – Charlotte and Former Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Leadership
• The Reverend Veronica Cannon, Stated Supply Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Waxhaw, NC
• The Reverend Dr. John Cleghorn, Pastor of Caldwell Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. Joe Clifford, Pastor, Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. de’Angelo Dia, Director of Admissions, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Jimmie Hawkins, Director, Office of Public Witness, Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
• The Reverend Sally Herlong, Charlotte Chaplain, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Phanta Lansden, Senior Pastor, St. James Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC
• The Reverend Luke Maybry, Pastor, Matthews Presbyterian Church, Matthews, NC
• Erin Mills, Program Associate, Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation
• The Reverend Dr. Tim Moore, Director of Donor Development, Union Presbyterian Seminary – Charlotte
• The Reverend Leslie Oliver, Pastor, Sanctuary Outreach Ministries, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Lori Raible, Pastor, Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC, and member, Board of Trustees at Union Presbyterian Seminary
• The Reverend Dr. Rodney Sadler, Jr, Director, Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation and Associate Professor of Bible, Union Presbyterian Seminary – Charlotte
• The Reverend Dr. Sheldon Shipman, Pastor, Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. Dwayne Walker, Pastor, Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. Peter Wherry, Pastor, Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. Ricky Woods, Senior Minister, First Baptist Church – West, Charlotte, NC
The Center for Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice
The Freedom Center for Social Justice
GreenFaith
Healthcare Justice NC
Industrial Areas Foundation (Charlotte Organizing Group)
MeckMIN
Migrant Assistance Project
North Carolina NAACP
Stan Greenspon Center for Social Justice
Reimagining America Project: The Truth, Reconciliation, and Atonement Commission of Charlotte, NC (RAP/TRACC)
CSJR Events
Partner Events
Community Events
The Recruitment of God’s Dream Team, September 15, 2020
YoutubeGeorge Floyd Protests: Temporary Uprising, Movement, or Miracle? September 15, 2020
YoutubeA Plea and Petition Suggested by a Black Brother in the Spirit of Love
pdfBe Made Well: Seeking Wholeness of Life Sunday, October 20, 2019
testCOVID-19: A Parable of Plagues before Deliverance September 14, 2020
YoutubeOn January 10, 2022, the Rev. Dr. William C. Turner, Jr of Durham, NC explored the intricacies and imperatives of social justice preaching in "Just Preach!".
Watch this event:On January 12, 2022, the Rev. Nelson and Mrs. Joyce Johnson of Greensboro, NC discussed their life’s work together in social activism and their sponsorship of our nation’s first Truth and Reconciliation Commission in a session entitled “Just Act!”
Watch event here:On January 13, 2020 at CN Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III discussed civil rights and social justice with the Union Presbyterian Seminary Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation.
Watch this eventOn January 10th and 12th, 2022 the CSJR hosted three webinars for the 2022 African American Social Justice Preaching Series. The world today is in a tumultuous state as we recover from a global pandemic in a time of racial unrest and political division. Is there a word from the Lord for this moment? What are people of faith called to do as we confront these and other challenges? On January 12th, a lunch conversation was held with Reverend Nelson and Mrs. Joyce Johnson and the Rev. Dr. William Turner where faith leaders were able to engage them on issues of social justice proclamation and activism.
Watch event here:Black History Month Booklist (curated by Seminarian and Womanist Scholar, Dana Purdom)
DownloadSpiritual formation is strongly shaped by visual and performance art, music, dance, play, and storytelling. The intersection of justice, spirituality, imagination, embodiment and the arts, is sometimes referred to as theopoetics–which combines elements of poetry, process thought, narrative theology, and postmodern philosophy.
Watch event here:Webinar - August 20, 2020 (Click image to watch this event)
Watch on YouTubeThe Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation formally welcomes 2021/22 CSJR Student Ambassadors, Ryan Atkinson, Evan Bille, DiAndra Brooks, and Kirk Louis. These students have shown extraordinary commitment to the Center since its inception and are dedicated to the critical social justice work we are called to as disciples of Christ. Ryan, Evan, DiAndra, and Kirk will lead and coordinate the Seminarians for Social Justice, organize quarterly student-led panel discussions, assist the Center with events throughout the year, and serve as student liaisons. Interested students are encouraged reach out to our Student Ambassadors with ideas, questions, and concerns – we would love to hear from you!
Ryan Atkinson is a third year dual-degree student at Union Presbyterian Seminary. He has lived in Charlotte for 13 years with his wife, golden retriever “Biscuit”, and tabby cat “Reina.” He is an Elder at Statesville Avenue Presbyterian where he also volunteers for Loaves & Fishes, which strives not only to address the direct hunger needs of the community, but to address hunger from a systematic approach as well.
Evan Bille is second year MDiv student at Union Presbyterian Seminary and is originally from Upstate New York. He came to Charlotte for college and fell in love with the city through summer jobs at the emergency men’s shelter. Now, he does community education and advocacy work at Roof Above, the newly merged organization of the Men’s Shelter and Urban Ministry Center. He has a passion for applying moral responses to public policy, and is so excited to learn and work with the Union community.
DiAndra Brooks is from Spartanburg, South Carolina and is married with five sons. She graduated from MUSC pharmacy school in 2002 and served in the U.S. Air Force as an active-duty Captain and pharmacist. She is passionate about service with the CSJR as a student ambassador because it allows her to advocate for people who are excluded or who do not have access to quality necessities of life.
Kirk Louis is a third year dual-degree student. He is a candidate under the care of the Presbytery of Southern New England. He is focused on justice and the blackness perspective of the Bible. Kirk is a military vet and the spouse of the Reverend Shavon Starling-Louis. He is also the parent of two children and a rescue puppy.
JustAct is the Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation’s ongoing conversation of justice, faith, and society. Resources are posted on the digital newsletter throughout the month. Sign up to receive our email newsletter to see the latest posts.
Each January, the Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation at Union Presbyterian Seminary sponsors the African American Preaching Series. Intended to highlight the prophetic character and dynamic engagement of the homiletic tradition within the African American church, the 2023 series featured two nationally recognized preachers, Rev. Graylan Hagler and Rev. Jimmie Hawkins.
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