Virtual Urban Summit: Part 2 to happen in 2 parts Saturday

Part 2 of the 2021 Virtual Urban Summit, on Saturday, May 1, will be in two parts:

– Virtual Urban Summit Part 2, webinar, 10 AM to 12 PM, is for all ages. Register Now.

– Urban Youth Summit, meeting, 12 PM to 2 PM, is for youth. Register Now.

The Rev. Rudy Rasmus, co-pastor of St. John’s Downtown UMC in Houston, Texas, and the Rev. Rashawn Clark, pastor of New Spirit UMC in Atlanta, Ga., kicked off the Eastern PA Conference’s multi-session Virtual Urban Summit on Saturday morning, April 24. In Part 1, the two visionary, impactful pastors shared their experiences and insights in “Engaging Communities in Change” and “Doing Spiritually-Focused Urban Evangelism.”

Part 2 of the Virtual Urban Summit continues on Saturday, May 1, in two parts: a morning webinar (10 AM to 12 PM) for all ages, and an afternoon meeting (12 PM to 2 PM) for youth.

Once again, the morning Summit will feature dynamic presenters who will, in turn, share “their wisdom, energy and experiences to help stir up our gifts and passion for radical, strategic, responsive urban ministry.”

Pursuing Urban Partnerships, Development & Renewal

The Rev. Joseph W. Daniels Jr., Lead Pastor of Emory Fellowship UMC in Washington DC, will share his empirical wisdom about “Pursuing Partnerships, Development & Urban Renewal.” Daniels is well-known for successfully shepherding Emory’s major, innovative redevelopment of the church and its surrounding community, including development of affordable housing and small businesses, through its affiliated, 501c3 nonprofit Emory Beacon of Light. Emory Fellowship is vibrant, intergenerational, predominantly Black congregation that works for justice and development opportunities in its community through effective partnerships.

Combating Violence through Faith-Based Healing

The Rev. Myra Maxwell is Lead Pastor of Trinity UMC in South Philadelphia and co-chairperson of the Conference’s Urban Commission, which sponsors the annual Urban Summits. A 2021 Denman Evangelism Awardee, she also directs Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement for Survivors of Homicide (CARES) for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, having previously done similar work on behalf of crime victims for other agencies.

Urban Youth Summit

The afternoon Urban Youth Summit will tackle hard facts of urban life with faith and strategies in a town hall-style discussion that addresses violence, trauma, substance abuse, peer pressure and other concerns. In a safe environment, the youth will voice their ideas on urban challenges, including race relations and internalized oppression, and economic and educational inequalities. And they will begin to envision ways to become effective peers, justice advocates and youth ministry entrepreneurs.

Facilitating the interactive youth summit will be: the Rev. David Piltz, Conference Coordinator of Young People’s Ministries and a campus ministry; the Rev. Jose Tirado, a father of five and pastor of Nuevo Creacion (New Creation) UMC in Lancaster; and Andres Gutierrez, a longime youth leader at Nuevo Creacion.