Professional ministry, particularly in the parish, can be stressful.  Health insurance companies don’t like to insure clergy, and actuarial experts are pessimistic about life expectancy.  So, how do clergy thrive in a high-stress job culture?  The Theme of the Month is Humility, which may be one of the most important character traits for healthy ministers working in a powerful profession. Rev. Kate and Sunshine have been Healthy Boundaries trainers for several years. 
Rev. Dr. Kate Walker and Rev. Sunshine

For the month of April we will be sharing 50% of our Sunday offering each week with Bethel AME Reparations Project, here in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.

Bethel AME Church was founded in 1808, and over 150 years became a flourishing congregation of 3000 members, central to the lower Hill community. The church provided support for its members and the whole community, including education for black children when they were not welcomed in other schools. A vibrant and thriving center of community life through the 1950’s, Bethel AME church’s land and building were taken by the City Urban Redevelopment Authority under eminent domain, to make way for the construction of the (now replaced) Civic Arena. Many of AME’s parishioners were also displaced, and they were given a new less accessible location. This was a devastating loss for church members and the whole neighborhood, although Bethel AME continues in a new Hill District Location.
Under the leadership of Pastor Dale Snyder, over the last few years, Bethel AME Church has created a plan for reparation for its losses, beginning with negotiating with the Pgh Penguins for a grant of part of its former property. The hope is to build affordable housing and other community services in a way which will revive and support the Hill District which has such a proud and dynamic history.
On March 17 about 40 members of First Unitarian along with perhaps 15 others from other churches were in attendance at a powerful and moving Table Talk presented by Pastor Snyder and colleagues from the Bethel AME Reparations Team. In preparation for this attendees read a book—-REPARATIONS, A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair about the concept of reparations and its basis in belief
Our hope is to be able to support, contribute, and advocate for this important plan as it evolves.

On Sunday, April 7 we will be joined by Pastor Erin Jones, who will speak of her work with St. Andrews Church in working with the Bethel AME Project

Reparations Brainstorming
The Racial Justice Task Force is grateful that so many of you were able to come to Rev. Snyder's Table Talk and our preparatory book discussions.
Please join us at a meeting after the service this Sunday, April 7, from 12-1 in the Schweitzer Room  as we brainstorm about our collective response to the Bethel AME Table Talk in March. Let’s consider the suggested Practices of Repair from the Kwon and Thompson Reparations book: addressing the theft of truth, power and wealth.

Khasi Hills Open Team Meeting with India Video Guests
Thanks to all who gave to Share the Plate to support the two teachers we sponsor! We’ll share the results when we know. If you are inspired by the school partnership, please consider visiting the next team meeting to explore. It is a hybrid meeting this Sunday, April 7 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM and our India partner(s) will be joining by Zoom. The meeting is in the Harper Room on the lower level. Click here for the  Zoom link. We love new people and perspectives! As a matter of fact, a first timer inspired the theme for the April 28 Khasi Hills Sunday Service. Our team welcomes you whether idea person or worker bee for a small project!

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