Dear Members and friends of Fellowship Church: The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples requests the honor of your presence at our Twenty-sixth Annual Howard Thurman Convocation and Seventy-eight Church Anniversary. Fellowship Church is the nation’s first intentionally interracial, interfaith congregation. Founded in 1944 by Dr. Howard Thurman, Dr. Alfred Fisk, and visionary laity, the church sought and continues to seek to bring together people from diverse identities – national, racial, faith, gender – for deep spiritual experiences. Such experiences have the potential to subvert the socially imposed barriers that divide the human family. Rather than division, a sense of common ground or beloved community would become operational. The church was established as an alternative to the segregation in churches at that time. It nurtures the seeds implanted in each person sustaining it in its quest for fruition, and fulfillment. In 1936, Dr. Thurman, Mrs. Sue Bailey Thurman, and Rev. Edward Carroll became the first African Americans to ever meet with Mahatma Gandhi. Ideas of nonviolent resistance that were at the heart of the Indian Movement for Independence became a way of life for the Thurmans and their mentee, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recognized by Life Magazine as one of the most powerful preachers in the United States, Thurman was a spiritual counselor providing indispensable support for leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. His life and work are being recognized by scholars and activists across the nation with great enthusiasm. The film, Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story, is indicative of interest in his legacy. Another film is on the way. This year’s convocation highlights young activists, their incredible work and their courage. Mary Lim-Lampe, lead organizer for Genesis will introduce young activist: Nicole Sutton. Steve Leeds, mentor for the West Side Tenants Organization will introduce young activist: Paloma Hernandez. We will also present an excerpt for the film, Breaking the Silence 2022 Virtual Gathering, and a short video (Creating America) of the late Dr. Vincent Harding. Founded in 2006, Genesis is the Bay area affiliate of the Gamaliel Network, where President Obama received his community organizing training. Its work is centered on the most vulnerable (youth, elders, people with disabilities) and organizes to impact structural racism through its issue campaigns. Genesis believes that Beloved Community becomes a reality when people act on values to create a more just and inclusive world. Leeds describes West Side Tenants Organization, WSTA, as an all-volunteer group founded in 2019 of tenants and allies on the west side and recently throughout SF. We have monthly general meetings with educational topics for tenants as well as working groups, such as Mutual Aid and the Eviction Response Network (ERN). We have been contacted by tenants facing eviction and harassment throughout the city and support tenants through the ERN, a public campaign activator, to organize, resist displacement and stay in their homes. Trusting Life! Rev. Dr. Kathryn Lloyd Benton, Co-Minister Rev. Dr. Dorsey Odell Blake, Presiding Minister