Join Us for Our Annual Thanksgiving Service

Warm Hearts in Summit 2022-23

Rain. Wind. Cold temps. They are upon us. But Summit Warm Hearts is once again available to our unhoused neighbors M-Sa 9a-1p and Sundays 1-5p.

Beacon Unitarian Universalist congregation in Summit, on the corner of Waldron & Springfield Ave, has once again generously opened their doors to allow folks to get in from the cold, shower, share a meal, and build relationships.

It is staffed solely by community volunteers, and it takes a lot of different hands to make it all happen. Will you lend your hands by volunteering to host a 2-hr shift, bring a meal to feed 8-10 folks, or pick up laundry/towels and return them fresh and clean? We sure hope you will!

Here is the link to sign-up. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Missy Rogers, volunteer coordinator, at swh@summitbeacon.org.

A Call for “Respectful Discussion” on Broad Street West

The Summit Interfaith Council exists to “seek the welfare of the city.” Over the past few months, there has been a great deal said about a proposal to redevelop Broad Street West. As a revised proposal comes to the community in the fall, we encourage that we all strive to treat each other in a civil manner, creating a space for respectful discussion despite different views about the proposed redevelopment. 

Passion in pursuit of the common good is not a bad thing. Rather, it is when we allow passion in support of or opposition to a civic proposal to override our willingness to listen to each other, to look at the facts, and do the hard work that leads to a common solution that we cease to promote and model community. 

There are many important issues facing Summit. One of them is Summit’s Settlement Agreement to create 50 units of affordable housing by 2025—an agreement that Summit Interfaith Council fully supports. As faith leaders, we agree with each other that all human beings deserve a decent place to live. In New Jersey, given a long history of discriminatory housing practices, every community, Summit included, is now legally mandated to do its share to create affordable housing. At this point, Summit has work to do to reach its goal of 50 affordable units by 2025.  

We have heard for over two years now that we are “in this together.”  While this addressed the pandemic, it may also apply to the vision of our City.  In the weeks ahead, we encourage a full, open, and respectful discussion of the opportunity Summit has in redeveloping Broad Street West. Working together as a community, let’s support a workable plan, recognizing that compromise is needed to address the issues facing our community.

Summit Interfaith Wears Orange

Please credit: Natalie Chin

On June 3, the Summit Interfaith Council co-sponsored the #WearOrange rally on the Village Green which drew hundreds of people. Among the many notable speakers, SIC president Rev. Vernon Williams represented the communities of faith.

During his remarks, Rev. Williams said, “It’s not a race issue … it’s a societal issue exacerbated by bigotry and hate that doesn’t allow us to open our eyes to our collective humanity.”

Click here to read more about the rally.

Please credit: Natalie Chin

We Are Looking for a Star!!

STRONG TEENS AGAINST RACISM (STAR) 

Youth Coordinator Job Description

A STAR Youth Coordinator is responsible for leading a group of local high school students interested in taking a stand against racism and creating a more equitable and just community.

The Youth Coordinator’s duties include: 

• Establishing a form of regular communication with the students 
• Organizing quarterly projects to advance the mission of STAR
• Increase the public awareness of STAR
• Develop leadership opportunities
• Communicate goals and objectives with the STAR Leadership Committee
• Coordinate with parents of the students regarding activities and meetings
• Recruit new participants into STAR

They should have prior training in anti-racism work and should have some experience working with and leading teenagers.

This is a part-time position requiring 10 hours of work per month at a rate of $25.00 per hour from May thru June 2022 and September 2022 thru April 2023.

Please send a letter of interest and a resume to Greg Davis <regdavis@fountainbaptist.org> or Kirk Johnson <kjohnson@christchurchsummit.org>.

Join us for Prayers and Songs for Peace

prayers-and-songs-for-peaceDownload

Please join us…

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SOLIDARITY STATEMENT WITH ASIANS/PACIFIC ISLANDER/AMERICANS

Recent stories of the detestable, racially motivated attacks on Asian/Pacific Islander/Americans across the United States are difficult to bear; our family, friends, and neighbors have incurred violence and harassment while simply going about their daily routines. These incidents have historical precedence which should not be repeated and are contrary to America’s foundational principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

There is no rationale- biological, pathological, moral, legal, ethical, reasonable, or unreasonable- for these malicious assaults against people merely because of the color of their skin, perceived racial traits, and background.

We, the undersigned, are outraged over these acts of domestic terrorism against Asian/Pacific Islander/Americans. We offer our empathy to those victimized by horrific verbal, physical, virtual, and cyber assaults, either directly or indirectly. You are in our prayers for healing, comfort, restitution, and the strength to move on with your lives without fear of the recurrence of similar transgressions.

We condemn this abhorrent aggression, and we invite you to join us to stop these unconscionable attacks by:

• Speaking out against these atrocities, racial slurs and stereotyping about Asians/Pacific Islander/Americans.
• Helping to identify perpetrators of these attacks. 
• Demanding swift apprehension and accountability for those committing these egregious hate crimes.
• Learning about racism and how to eliminate it in all areas of American life.

As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advised us that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Furthermore, Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer admonished that, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.” Lastly, we are following Civil Rights Activist Angela Davis asserting, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”

With gratitude to the Racial Equity Task Force of Christ Church Summit for coordinating the effort to craft this joint statement.

Summit Interfaith Thanksgiving 2020

Summit Interfaith Council Supports Local Undocumented Individuals and Families. PLEASE JOIN US

In response to the dire needs of local immigrants resulting from the global pandemic, the Summit Interfaith Council has established the Summit Emergency Covid-19 Relief Fund for Undocumented Individuals and Families. Many of our immigrant neighbors have lost jobs, but because they lack documentation, they are ineligible for federal emergency stimulus funds and unemployment benefits, even though pay taxes. Funds raised by the Council will be given directly to families and individuals in order to help pay for housing, food, utilities and other bills. Donate today- every amount will help people in need right here in Summit!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE.