"Beloved Community: Truth & Reconciliation"
The first interracial and interfaith church in the United States, San Francisco’s Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, was founded by visionary spiritual leaders Howard Thurman and Alfred Fisk in 1944. Each October, the Church celebrates its anniversary with the Annual Howard Thurman Convocation where people of diverse backgrounds gather for a forum connecting spiritual insights to the challenges of everyday living.
This year's keynote speaker will be the Rev. Nelson Johnson, a lifelong advocate for social and economic justice, addressing the subject "Building Beloved Community: Truth and Reconciliation." His presentation will include his ongoing work with Greensboro North Carolina’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, modeled after South Africa’s remarkable non-vindictive, non-vengeful process for healing the country after apartheid.
Following his talk there will be a panel discussion that will include: Rev. Johnson and Joyce Johnson, Beloved Community Center of Greensboro; Laura Magnani, American Friends Service Committee; Shirley Strong, California Institute for Integral Studies; and Dr. Dorsey Blake, Pastor of Fellowship Church.
The Howard Thurman Award will be presented to Rev. Nelson Johnson and his wife Joyce Hobson-Johnson, because of their significant contributions in realizing the vision that guided Thurman's life and work.
A catered reception will follow. All are welcome.
Musicial inspiration for this special event will feature Dominion a cappella ensemble, directed by Valerie Brown. We will also be joined by internationally recognized pianist / composer / arranger, Ms. Jacqueline B. Hairston.
Highlights of Rev. Johnson’s life and work include:
- Bringing the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to the United States in response to the Nov. 3, 1979 massacre of five anti-Klan demonstrators in Greensboro, North Carolina.
- Chairing the Gulf Coast Commission on Reconstruction Equity, established in response to the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
- Winning a settlement of $6 million for 500 K-Mart employees engaged in a labor dispute
- Founding Faith Community Church and the Beloved Community Center
- Receiving, along with his wife Joyce, the prestigious Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World Award
- Chairing the Chicago-based Interfaith Worker Justice Network
To learn more:
Greensboro Truth & Community Reconciliation Project: www.gtcrp.org
The Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, NC: www.belovedcommunitycenter.org
Religion & Ethics News Weekly: Reconciliation in Greensboro: www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics
For directions to Fellowship Church please click HERE
The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples
2041 Larkin Street (near Broadway), San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 776-4910 | Email: info@fellowshipsf.org
Return to home page: www.fellowshipsf.org