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 The Women's Initiative are three of the many groups through which St. Georgians work for social justice.
Absalom Jones, ordained an Episcopal priest in 1802, was the first African-American to receive formal ordination in any denomination.
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Absalom Jones Committee
on Black History & Culture
Chair:
Meets: 4th Sunday of the month, after the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist, on the 3rd floor of the Resource Center.
Listserv:
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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.
Members of St. George's Absalom Jones Committee on Black History & Culture,
with guest preacher Dr. Albert Raboteau of Princeton (fourth from right), his wife Julia (second from left),
and the Rev. Bernie Poppe, Rector of St. George's (center); February 3, 2008.
Photos of past events:
Juneteenth, 2005
The Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, May 2007 (Joint event with Amicus/Amica)
Dr. Albert Raboteau, February 2008
Amicus/Amica - LGBTI Fellowship Group
Co-Chairs:
and
Listserv:
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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.
Members of Amicus/Amica at the Gay Pride March in NYC; June 24, 2007.
Photos of past events:
Marriage Equality Weekend, Feb. 2007
The Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, May 2007 (Joint event with the Absalom Jones Committee)
Gay Pride March, June 2007
Rainbow Jesus Fish Apparel
To help the St. George's contingent stand out at New York City's Gay Pride March in June 2007, Nina Nicholson designed T-shirts in seven styles (one example at right), hats, and buttons, all of which are still available for sale on 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.)
For questions about the Rainbow Jesus Fish apparel, please contact
.
Chair:
Meets: Once a month, on the 3rd floor of the Resource Center.
Listserv:
•
The newly formed St. George's Women's Initiative focuses on issues of importance to women and girls in our community and culture. We are currently planning a series of activities that will reflect upon the impact of sexism and gender bias on our young people, while offering ongoing activities to nurture and support the spiritual needs of women.
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