On February 27^th ACLC of New York and the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) hosted its 5^th Annual Black History Month Prayer Breakfast. Each month the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) sponsors a prayer breakfast hosted by a different church. Though New York had just been blanketed with over 2 feet of snow in some areas the day before, there was a strong turnout for the Prayer Breakfast with about 90 people in attendance.  Clergy and lay leaders from diverse backgrounds melted together as very real and prevalent problems were recognized and addressed, offering a vision of what is possible when the sacred and secular come together to face the many challenges of our communities. During a wonderful breakfast participants viewed 2 videos featuring excerpts of talks given by the late Dr. Lonnie McLeod during past ACLC prayer breakfasts, and a short video that provided background on ACLC and its programs.

Rev. Raymond Dyer, the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the program, masterfully led participants through the many diverse aspects of the Prayer Breakfast, with songs by the UTS choir and prayers for the family, community, nation and the world.  As Rev. Leander Hardaway offered a brief testimony about the late Dr. McLeod, participants were blessed with a few remarks from Mrs. Jackie McLeod who shared about her current initiatives to carry on Dr. McLeod’s social justice legacy. The highlight was our keynote speaker, Ms. Sujatha Baliga, an attorney and Restorative Justice Advisor for Community Works West in California. She also serves as a consultant for the Stanford Community Justice Center and hold a B.A. from Harvard and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania. In her keynote address, Ms. Baliga focused on the current restorative justice work taking place in prisons and in various school systems, with special emphasis in Oakland, California, where she helped to pilot a project which has been very successful on several fronts including developing alternatives to juvenile incarceration, leading workshops on forgiveness with incarcerated adults, and training other organizations/agencies in how to introduce restorative justice practices in their practices. Following the keynote, participants received a special call from the National ACLC Chairman, Rev. Michael Jenkins, who telephoned from Korea conveyed greetings from ACLC Overseer Rev. In Jin Moon and thanked the ACLC of New York and the UTS for their leadership. He encouraged everyone to stand strong for religious freedom, Pastors forums and the blessing of marriage.

 

 

 

 

Immediately following the Prayer Breakfast, the afternoon portion of the conference began with a very practical and guided explanation of the “circle process” conducted by Ms. Sujatha Baliga. Organized with a focus on the social challenges that have become predominant  in our communities.  Sujatha shared a little of the background of the “Circle” program, which is helping heal the many difficulties experienced by our society and by other societies around the world.

 

Dr Luonne Rouse gave an impassioned presentation on the “Importance of Healing” by utilizing some of the conference participants who were in attendance and who were truly role models on the way to recovery.   He also gave the “altar” call for Justice to fight for Religious Liberty by going with Rev. In Jin Moon and Dr. Jenkins to the Congress to help our leaders stand for the rights of all people – especially Father Moon’s movement in Japan.

 

This presentation was followed by a riveting documentary entitled “For Our Sons,” produced by Eric McKay, who has shown the film throughout America and the world. Testifying as to what it takes to overcome the many challenges faced by the African-American youth all too often raised in broken families and fractured communities; he suggested how ACLC and UTS can work more closely together to address some of these challenges in the 21^st century (See also www.rjoyoakland.org).  Immediately following the documentary and lunch, participants were offered two breakout group options. Ms. Baliga and Dr. Paulette Zimmerman, a specialist in dealing with the challenges of HIV/AIDs, led one of the breakouts that focused on the “circle process.” The second breakout, led by Mr. Ron Rogers, an educator working with at-risk youth and former gang members, led a rich discussion on how clergy can reach out effectively to today’s young men and women who are members of a gang. Both breakout groups were stimulating and thought-provoking.  

 

At the conclusion of the program, all participants agreed that the program was well worth braving the snow and that this was a conversation that barely scratched the surface.