Weekly Rector's Note: Celebrating Juneteenth with The Voices Project

Dear Saints,

Last September, about 25 of us gathered in the Parish Hall to have a conversation with the Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber, Executive Director of The Voices Project. We discussed what we, All Saints parish, could do to encourage racial diversity and equity in our neighborhood. One of the ideas that emerged was hosting an event for the wider neighborhood that would celebrate Black businesses in Portland and develop relationships for ongoing partnerships.

As of this last week, the Vestry voted to collaborate with The Voices Project for a neighborhood Juneteenth event on the All Saints green and parking lot. It will consist of hosting Black artists, businesses, and vendors with music, speakers, and other fun things that can be done with attention to Covid safety. It will be a fantastic way to celebrate our new national holiday and also give us a chance to do something fun with our neighbors.

For those of you who are not familiar, the Voices Project develops leaders of color who work in the arts, business, church, media, politics, and education in their role as cultural influencers to bring about change. You can read more about the great work they are doing here.

The Voices Project will be organizing the event. Our role will be to host and to offer financial support through our Ministry Grant and fundraising. The Voices Project will also facilitate discussions with All Saints and other community members who are interested in how to encourage racial diversity and equity and form ongoing partnerships. The Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber will do some guest speaking as he did this last September, as well.

We will have several different ways to get involved. Parishioners can be part of the planning committee, take part in the formation sessions, volunteer on the day of, get the word out, or simply show up to enjoy the event. Please be thinking of if any of these opportunities sound energizing to you.

This Black History Month, as we take time to appreciate the invaluable achievements and contributions of Black lives and also reckon with historical and present day racism, this is important work to be doing. It is also the joy-filled work of becoming Beloved Community, and I’m so thankful for this chance to get to engage it together.

In peace,

Andria+