New Garden Friends Meeting Peace & Social Concerns committee announces a new social-justice ministry partnership with St. James, Westminster, and First Presbyterian churches. The partnership is focusing on voting rights and voter suppression for the foreseeable future. The goal is to do social justice work together while developing fellowship within the partnership. NGFM was asked to join this partnership after a co-leader of the partnership noticed NGFM’s Black Lives Matter sign and listened to Pastor Margaret’s messages. Eventually people within the partnership will have the opportunity to do a Racial Equity Institute (REI) training together. The partnership will be offering 3–4 people within NGFM the training without charge.
Recently, the partnership has volunteered with the You Can Vote (YCV) organization at the NC Folk Festival after doing the YCV volunteer training together. Members of the partnership have also been making their voices known ahead of the Guilford County Schools (GCS) monthly board meeting in support of “culturally responsive education”. Some members are signing up to speak at the GCS board meeting. There has also been work by voicing opinions at the current public redistricting sessions throughout North Carolina. The partnership meets once a month at Westminster Presbyterian Church under the tent in the parking lot.
The next meeting is on Monday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. The partnership is fairly new, so NGFM is getting to join in the early stages. More information will appear in the NGFM newsletter in the coming weeks and months. If you are interested in being on the partnership distribution list, contact Patricia Gutzwiller or Janet Inmon.