Building the Beloved Community

The Rev. Dr. Sterling Morse, pastor of the 15th Street Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C., and the Rev. Herb Oliver, interim pastor of the Church of the Covenant, New York, speak with the Honorable Jean-Marie Ehouzou, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Benin to the United Nations. Photo by Joel Hanisek.

How does the human family live together within the diversity that God creates? How do we overcome the racism that grants privileges to some, disadvantages others and divides us from one another around the world? Twenty-three young people and adults from four churches in National Capital Presbytery came to the Presbyterian United Nations Office on February 22–23 to explore questions of responding to global racism.

This marked the second seminar at the Presbyterian United Nations Office organized by the Antiracism Team of National Capital Presbytery.

Seminar Coordinator Jonathan Crooms provided an overview of the Presbyterian United Nations Office and an introduction to the United Nations system. The first speaker was Kevin Dance of Passionists International. The presentation focused on the impact of racism on indigenous peoples around the world and how the U.N. and nongovernmental organizations around the world work for the rights of indigenous peoples.

Joel Hanisek, Presbyterian Representative to the United Nations, described the process by which the U.N. community seeks to address racism.

That evening the group took part in a service project at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church.

The National Capital Presbytery Antiracism Team has developed a relationship with the Ambassador of Benin to the United States. The Honorable Cyrille Oguin has made several presentations to the presbytery on Benin’s apology for its role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Ambassador Oguin has also addressed how that apology has impacted life in Benin.

Because of this relationship, the group visited the Permanent Mission of Benin to the United Nations on February 23. The Honorable Jean-Marie Ehouzou, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Benin, and Minister Conseiller Jean-Francis R. Zinsou talked extensively with the group. They spoke to Benin’s history and role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the apology issued by the government and how that might affect the future of the country. The Ambassador and Minister gracefully responded to a number of significant questions crafted by the young people.

After the visit, the group walked to the Church of the Covenant. The Rev. Herb Oliver, Interim Pastor, spoke about his experiences in the civil rights movement. The Rev. Oliver also reflected upon the current realities of racism and how followers of Jesus can resist them. Worship, led by Ian Doescher, a doctoral student at Union Theological Seminary, closed the seminar.

The participants returned to Washington, filled with a deepened understanding of the reality of racism and a strengthened commitment to the struggle for justice for all.