The ACRP Faith Initiative

Two of Alexandria’s historic churches, Beulah Baptist and Trinity United Methodist have been chosen to head up the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project’s Faith Initiative - a loose federation of more than 30 bodies of faith - who first gathered in remembrance of lynching victims Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas.

In September 2022, at ACRP’s request, clergy from historically Black and white churches & Alexandria’s synagogues came together to read aloud and in unison the Black National Anthem and lead Alexandrians in the collection of soil representing the lives of McCoy and Thomas. These bodies of faith are the nexus of ACRP’s growing Faith Initiative that includes many of Alexandria’s worship traditions.

The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project is dedicated to helping the city better understand its history, including incidents of racial injustice and terror.  ACRP’s work revealed the historic role that faith communities have played in both racial injustice, as well as, racial healing.  As members of the faith community reflected on this reality, they wondered how faith communities can unite today to remember, ensure, and establish a welcoming and just community for all today.

The ACRP Faith Initiative seeks to break down divisions while working toward the goal of creating a community where all feel safe, welcome, and valued.  Read our Affirmation Statement, come to a clergy coffee, a workshop, or any of ACRP’s events.

The current chairs of the ACRP Faith Initiative are: Rev. Quardricos Driskell and Rev. Grace Han. One chair sits on the Steering Committee of ACRP and another is selected by the clergy who make up the Faith Initiative.

AFFIRMATION

To our community:

We, who serve the many diverse faith communities of Alexandria, Virginia, proclaim:

1

We see so many in our community gripped by fear, uncertainty and the impact of current events on our mental, physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. We regard humanity as a single body and know that if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. All of humanity is created from the same dust, fashioned in the image of the Creator, growing side by side, relying on each other to be good neighbors and good stewards of creation. We believe all people are created equally and should be treated with mutual respect and understanding. Therefore, we stand with the marginalized, oppressed, and dispossessed and speak with one voice, united in our shared spiritual imperative.

2

We hear you. We welcome all voices and aspire to listen to all views, knowing that truthfulness is the foundation of all virtues, progress, and success and that every voice is accountable to the justice of God. Without truth there is no justice. We take counsel together with humility and mutual respect, knowing that wisdom and the shining spark of truth emerge only after the clash of differing opinions. We hear voices long silenced and listen for wisdom from all God's Children. Your voice matters.

3

We bear witness. Our faith compels us to stand for mercy, inclusion, and human dignity. We affirm belonging over exclusion, justice over indifference, and love over fear. We are for a world where kindness and justice guide our policies, where the oppressed are lifted up, and where no one is cast aside. In a time of division, we choose unity. In a time of fear, we choose courage. In a time of injustice, we choose action.

4

We pray. Hear us as we say, do not succumb to fear! Do not be disheartened or distracted from the mission we share to love our neighbors, seek peace, and pursue justice for all. Even as you take care of your emotional and spiritual health, sustain one another with the utmost love and compassion. Promote the welfare of the community as your own. Stand firm in hope, knowing that we stand with you in solidarity, committed to justice and working alongside you as ambassadors diffusing the light of love throughout the world.

The Reverend Josette L. Franklin, Pastor (Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church)

 David Spinrad, Rabbi (Beth El Hebrew Congregation)

 Rev. Dr. Quardricos Driskell, Pastor (Beulah Baptist Church) 

Rev. Dr. Shelly A. White Wood, Pastor (Old Presbyterian Meeting House)

Paul Glist, Chair (Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alexandria)

Rev. Amber Henry Neuroth, Senior Minister (Hope United Church of Christ)

The Rev. Dr. Robert Melone, Pastor (Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church)

The Rev. Kate Costa, Pastor (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church)

Rev. Grace Han, Pastor (Trinity United Methodist Church)

Rev. Dr. Anne Turner, Pastor (Grace Episcopal Church)

Rev. Emma Brice, Pastor (Grace Episcopal Church)

Rev. Santiago Rodriguez, Pastor (Grace Episcopal Church)

Rev. Jo J. Belser, Rector (Episcopal Church of the Resurrection)

Rev. Ann Herlin, Associate Pastor (Old Presbyterian Meeting House)

Rev. Robin Anderson, Co-Pastor (Commonwealth Baptist Church)

Rev. Marty Anderson, Co-Pastor (Commonwealth Baptist Church)

Rev. Juli Wilson-Black, Pastor (Fairlington Presbyterian Church)

Rev. Dr. Janine Howard, Pastor (Farlington United Methodist Church)

Rev. Kevin Agee, Pastor (Presiding Elder, Washington-Virginia District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Russell Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church)

Ian Markham, Dean and President (Virginia Theological Seminary)

Kimberly Young (Director of Church and Community Engagement, Washington Street United Methodist Church)

Rev. Dr. Robert Schenck, Administrative Bishop (Methodist Evangelical Church)

Rev. Arum Kim, Pastor (Del Ray United Methodist Church)

Rev. Robin Razzino, Rector (St. Clement Episcopal Church)

Steven I. Rein, Rabbi (Agudas Achim Congregation)

Rev. Dr. Deborah D. Porras, Lead Pastor (Beverley Hills Community UMC)