Social Justice at St. George's

"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
– Micah 6:8

St. George's has a long history of working for social justice. Since its founding in 1905, the congregation has been at the forefront of the movements for civil rights, fair housing, and the rights of women and LGBTI people. One of the first female Episcopal priests was a member of this parish (the late Rev. Page S. Bigelow, ordained in 1977). The Rev. Barry Stopfel, the first openly gay man to be ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church, served as our rector from 1993 to 1999.

Over the years, St. George's has pursued social justice by helping to establish a number of independent organizations that work with the homeless, single parents and people coping with mental illness. St. George's also played an important role in starting and supporting The Oasis, the Diocese of Newark's ministry to LGBTI people. Amicus/Amica, the LGBTI fellowship group at St. George's, the Absalom Jones Committee on Black History and Culture and the Women's Initiative are three of the many groups through which St. Georgians work for social justice.

Absalom Jones Committee
on Black History & Culture

Meets: 4th Sunday of the month, after the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist, on the 3rd floor of the Resource Center.

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The Absalom Jones Committee organizes events both educational and social focusing on Black history and culture. Events are held the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; during February for Black History Month as well as for the Feast of Absalom Jones (Feb. 13); and the Sunday closest to June 19 for "Juneteenth," the holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when slaves in Texas learned they had been freed two and a half years earlier in the Emancipation Proclamation.

Absalom Jones, ordained an Episcopal priest in 1802, was the first African-American to receive formal ordination in any denomination.

Amicus/Amica
LGBTI & Allies Fellowship Group

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Amicus/Amica is the fellowship organization through which St. Georgians of all sexual orientations work to advance the inclusion of LGBTI people in the church and in the world. Past events have included dinners and cocktail parties; a Game Night for adults and children; prayer services; movie nights; and a "Marriage Equality Weekend" event that combined a jazz concert with an adult forum. Our members include single people, couples and families, old and young. All are welcome.

Rainbow Jesus Fish Apparel

To help the St. George's contingent stand out at New York City's Gay Pride March in June 2007, designed T-shirts in seven styles (one example at right), hats, and buttons, all of which are still available at www.cafepress.com.

(Please note: All items are being sold at their Cafe Press base price, and neither St. George's nor Nina is making any profit from their sale.)

The Women's Initiative

Meets: Once a month, on the 3rd floor of the Resource Center.

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The newly formed St. George's Women's Initiative focuses on issues of importance to women and girls in our community and culture. We offer ongoing activities to nurture and support the spiritual needs of women.

Photos from St. George's final Women's History Month event, "Yes, We Rock! How Women and Girls Keep Changing the World." Just a few of the women and girls who brought artwork, photography, a craft or a memento that holds special meaning or inspiration to them.