Gathering unpacks liberty without liberation

Some 300 members and friends of the Alliance of Baptists converged on Washington, D.C. last weekend to explore liberty through the framework of liberation, and to consider the call to dismantle racism in their faith and community contexts. 

All aspects of the April 26-28 Annual Gathering held at Calvary Baptist Church were infused with the theme "What is Liberty Without Liberation?" and many walked away from the yearly all-call with new or renewed energy to break down the multitude of barriers that separate individuals and the deeply rooted systems that privilege the white, dominant center.

A new commandment

This Maundy Thursday I found myself in a hospital conference room participating in a goals of care conversation with the large family of a heart surgery patient, the ICU attending physician and a consulting team of palliative care providers. I will admit I was frazzled as I settled into the space. I knew it could be a long and intense meeting, it was already mid-afternoon and I was scheduled to assist with a service at church in a few hours. As is so often the case in my work as a chaplain, I was drawn into the present through the magnetism of storytelling.

BTSR to hold final commencement

Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, which the Alliance of Baptists helped found, will confer degrees and certificates on 21 students at its final commencement on May 25.  

It will be the seminary's 27th commencement and the final one in its life as a traditional seminary. The institution announced in December it was closing due to financial pressures. Students enrolled in 2018 but not able to finish their studies at BTSR also will be recognized during the service.