'We consecrate the streets of St. Louis as safe for all our citizens'

Contact: Rev. Susan Sneed, MCU Organizer, 314-367-3484, 314-402-0778; Rev. Dietra Wise Baker, MCU Clergy Caucus co-chair, 314-517-5928

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 6, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Some three dozen faith leaders will announce their intention to provide safe places for prayer and to be present on the street after the county prosecutor unveils the next stage of the journey toward justice for Michael Brown and his family.

WHO:
50-plus interfaith leaders from across St. Louis region who are Christian (AME, Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ among others), Jewish, Unitarian, and the Ethical Society— leaders of the Metropolitan Congregations United Clergy Caucus.

WHAT:
Meeting to publicly announce clergy will provide safe places for prayer and to be present on the street after indictment announcement and to release a new statement expressing continued solidarity with protesters and a long-term vision for racial equity in St. Louis.

WHEN/WHERE:
Set to take place at 3:30 p.m. at Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Blvd, St Louis, MO 63108.

WHY:
Clergy plan to issue a moral summons to be seen and heard in St. Louis, and release a signed joint statement that partially runs as follows:

"In the wake of the killing of Michael Brown and the violence that has followed, we concerned clergy of STL feel called to consecrate the streets of St. Louis as safe places for all our citizens, and in particular our Black and Brown children and brothers and sisters.

"You will see us and hear from us in the streets as we seek to hold sacred the space of non-violent protest and the witness that has been voiced in our region for more than 80 days.

"You will see and hear from our communities of worship as we gather in prayer and witness after the Grand Jury announcement.

"You will see and hear from us in prophetic witness and action sharing our vision of the moral mandate before our region to dismantle practices of profiling and predatory and provoking policing, and structures of systemic racism.

"We believe that nothing short of a movement for human freedom is being rebirthed in our community, calling us as individuals, worshipping congregations, and as a region to see one another as beloved children of God and to live our lives that way."

This event caps more than a month of planning, "de-escalation training" and other preparation for the grand jury announcement by area faith and community leaders. The full statement is available online at mcustl.com/2014/10/27/a-moral-summons-to-be-seen-and-heard-in-stl.

Metropolitan Congregations United is an interdenominational, interfaith, multi-racial community organization of religious congregations in the St. Louis Metropolitan Region that are working for a common purpose: to create a better life for all residents. More online at www.mcustl.com.