Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania
working for the unity of the church and the wholeness of communities through collegiality, collaboration, and connectedness

Standing in the midst of Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood, we seek to be good neighbors, to love our neighbors, and to work for justice alongside our neighbors. Gathering today on the anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, we too sense the “fierce urgency of now.” As our nation’s divisions become ever more visible, we reaffirm our calling to the tasks of religious leadership:

 

As religious leaders, we are called to interpret the scriptures.

            In the Torah, we hear the commands “love your neighbor as yourself” and “do not stand idle while your neighbor bleeds.” In the New Testament, we read, “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” In the Holy Qur’an, we hear, “Those who believe and do good deeds — the Gracious God will create love in their hearts.”

            Our sacred texts all agree: every human being is created and beloved by God. Every human being has worth and deserves dignity. From every minbar, bimah, and pulpit, we will continue to preach this message of love and compassion.

 

As religious leaders, we are called to speak moral truth.

            This moment demands that we speak with clarity and courage. Together, we declare that white supremacy is evil. Anti-Semitism is evil. Islamophobia is evil. Racism is evil. We reject bigotry and intolerance of all kinds; we condemn all forms of hatred.

            We call ourselves, our congregations, and our institutions to repent from our own historic and ongoing complicity in structures that oppress. With God’s help, we recommit ourselves to the building of the beloved community: a world where all God’s children know peace, hope, and joy.

 

As religious leaders, we are called to care for the vulnerable.

            As tensions rise, we turn with compassion toward those in our midst who have the greatest cause for fear. We stand in solidarity with all marginalized and minority communities, especially those who have been targets of hate. We will work to strengthen the ties of friendship among us so that we can be even more effective advocates for one another in times of need.

 

As religious leaders, we are called to seek justice for the oppressed.

            Our voices must not ring out in sanctuaries alone, but on the streets and in halls of power. We will work to make our values more visible in public life. Empowered by our faith, we will seek a just world for all.

 

We rely on one another for mutual support and admonition. Together, we rely on God’s help that we might prove worthy of this high calling.

 

August 28, 2017

Pittsburgh, PA

Signed by:

The Rev. Liddy Barlow, Executive Minister, Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania

Rabbi Ron Symons, Senior Director of Jewish Life, Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

​

The Rev. David Ackerman, Conference Minister, Penn West Conference, United Church of Christ

Rabbi Seth Adelson, Rabbi, Congregation Beth Shalom, Pittsburgh, PA

Ms. Erin Angeli, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. James Arter, III, Pastor, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Leechburg, PA

The Rev. Brenda Barnes, Interim Minister, New Hope Presbyterian Church, North Huntingdon, PA

The Rev. Tom Barnicott, Pastor, First Bethel United Methodist Church, Bethel Park, PA

The Rev. Laura Bentley, Organizing Pastor, Sanctuary Missional Fellowship, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Megan Berkebile, Allegheny River West Bank United Methodist Charge, Springdale, PA

Rabbi Alvin Berkun, Rabbi Emeritus, Tree of Life Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA

Rabbi Aaron Bisno, Senior Rabbi, Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Laura Blank, Pastor, Pleasant View Presbyterian Church, Smock, PA

Dr. Helen Blier, Director, Continuing Education, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bloise, Pastor, Jefferson United Methodist Church, Jefferson Hills, PA

The Rev. Chad Bogdewic, Pastor, Wurtemberg and Koppel United Methodist Churches, Ellwood City, PA

The Rev. Dr. Radu Bordeianu, Associate Professor, Duquesne University; Priest, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox  Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Dr. Hendrick Bossers, honorably retired pastor PC(USA), Pittsburgh Presbytery, Pittsburgh, PA

Mrs. Michele Bossers, Elder, East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. Joshua Botts, Director of Family & Youth Ministry, Elder, Second Presbyterian Church of Oil City, Oil  City, PA

The Rev. Dr. Catherine Brall, Director of Field Education, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

The Rev. Gary Brown, Pastor, St. John’s, Connoquenessing, PA and Emmanuel, Prospect, PA

Ms. Lisa Brown, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor, East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Ms. Jackie Campbell, Communications Director, United Methodist Western Pennsylvania Conference,  Cranberry Twp, PA

The Rev. Sylvia Carlson, honorably retired, PC(USA), Greensburg, PA

The Rev. Ross Carmichael, Pastor, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dave Carver, Pastor, The First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights, Pittsburgh, PA

Deacon Elizabeth Caywood, Southwestern PA Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Rev. Brian Chaffee, Pastor, Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Greensburg, PA

The Rev. David Chafin, Interim Pastor, United Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), California, PA

The Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker, Rector, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wilkinsburg, PA

Dr. Susan Cherian, Associate Pastor, Smithfield United Church of Christ, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Sung Chung, Pastor, Otterbein United Methodist Church, Greensburg, PA

The Rev. Kerri Clark, Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Connellsville, PA

The Rev. Charles Cochran, Senior Pastor, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Charleroi, PA

Ms. Rosemary Coffey, Religious Society of Friends of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Tracy Cox, Pastor, Coraopolis United Methodist Church, Coraopolis, PA

Mr. Timothy Crosse, Religion Department Chair, Serra Catholic High School, McKeesport, PA

Mr. Jonathan Damico, Pastor, Beloved, Bridgeville, PA

Dr. James Davison, Retired Director of Continuing Education, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Mr. Roy DeLorenze, Hiland Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Rebecca DePoe, Pastor, Mt. Nebo United Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Ms. Claudia Detwiler, First United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. John Detwiler, First United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Mrs. Siobhan DeWitt, Director of Campus Ministry, Carlow University

Rabbi Doris Dyen, Makom HaLev, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Doug Dyson, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Sharon, PA

Mrs. Carol Emerson, Elder, Sixth Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Erin Evans, Pastor, Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Greenock, PA

The Rev. Noah Evans, Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon, PA

Mrs. Barbara Fisher, Congregant, Temple David, Monroeville

Pastor Joshua Fisher, Pastor, Homestead United Presbyterian Church, Homestead, PA

Mr. Ben Fitzgerald-Frye, Seminarian, Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney, Punxsutawney, PA

The Rev. Michael Foley, Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Jennifer Fuhr, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wexford, PA

The Rev. Dr. Leanna Fuller, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

The Rev. Martin Galbraith, Pastor, New Hope Lutheran Church, Freedom, PA

The Rev. Dr. Margarethe Galbraith-Cordes, Pastor, English Lutheran Church, Zelienople, PA

The Rev. Dr. Scott Gallagher, Senior Pastor, Garden City United Methodist Church, Monroeville, PA

Rabbi James Gibson, Senior Rabbi, Temple Sinai, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Wayne Gillespie, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. William Gilligan, Senior Pastor, Nixon United Methodist Church, Butler, PA

The Rev. Todd Goewey, Senior Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of Pittsburgh, Monroeville, PA

Ms. Carol Gonzalez, Apostolic Action & Advocacy, Christian Life Community – USA, Pittsburgh, PA

Rabbi Keren Gorban, Associate Rabbi, Temple Sinai, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. Donald Green, ELCA (retired), Pittsburgh, PA

Rabbi Amy Greenbaum, Associate Rabbi, Beth El Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA

Ms. Sharon Gregory, WPAUMC Conference Lay Leader, Pittsburgh, PA 

The Rev. Kimberly Greway, Director of Chaplaincy, Allegheny County Jail, Pittsburgh, PA

Wanda Guthrie, Convenor, EcoJustice Working Group, Thomas Merton Center, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Natalie Hall, Canon for Faith Formation and Evangelism, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh

The Rev. Dawn Hargraves, Pastor, Brownsville First and California United Methodist Church Charge,  California, PA

The Rev. Susan Haseltine, honorably retired, New Lebanon Presbyterian Church, Hanover, OH

The Rev. Joseph Hedden, Jr., Pastor, Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ,  Murrysville, PA

The Rev. Dr. Jean H. Henderson, retired pastor, P.C. (U.S.A.), Cranberry Township, PA

The Rev. Mary Hendricks, Pastor, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Martinsburg, PA

Mr. Jeffrey Herzog, Executive Director Emeritus, Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA

Pastor Ardi Hill, retired United Methodist pastor, affiliated with First United Methodist Church of  Greensburg, PA

The Rev. Scott Hill, Pastor, Aspinwall Presbyterian Church, Aspinwall, PA

The Rev. Drew Himes, Pastor, Plumville and Atwood Presbyterian Churches, Plumville, PA

The Rev. Connie Hoeke, Summit United Methodist Church, Erie, PA

The Rev. Erik Hoeke, Pastor, Avery United Methodist Church, Washington, PA

The Rev. Monte Holland, Retired Pastor, United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Kathie Hollingshead, Co-Clerk, Pittsburgh Monthly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Cindy Eresh Holmquist, retired UCC pastor, Cranberry Twp, PA

Mrs. Vicki Holthaus, Congregant, Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Tami Hooker, Pastor, Presbyterian Church of Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Charissa Howe, Pastor, Emsworth and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Churches, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Gretchen Hulse, Chaplain, United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Anais Hussian, Education Director, First United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Susan A. G. Irons, Pastor, Rehoboth Evangelical Lutheran Church, Economy Borough, PA

The Rev. Sara Irwin, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. Beverly James, Associate Minister, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Jonathon Jensen, Rector, Calvary Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. David Keller, retired pastor, First United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Craig Kephart, Executive Presbyter, Washington Presbytery, Eighty Four, PA

The Rev. Erwin Kerr, Retired United Methodist Elder, Baldwin Community United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA      

The Rev. Dr. Deirdre King Hainsworth, Interim Senior Pastor, Community of Reconciliation Church,  Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. Gabe Kish, Sr., Moderator of Deacons, First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights, Pittsburgh,  PA

Bishop Kurt Kusserow, Southwestern PA Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Rev. Katrina Laude, Pastor, Homer City United Methodist Church, Homer City, PA

Pastor Linda Lawson, Pastor, Allegheny Open Arms United Church of Christ, Pittsburgh, PA

Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, Senior Educator, Hillel International, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Sean Lewis, Deacon, Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park, PA

The Rev. Alice Lindsay, Pastor, First United Church of Christ, Pittsburgh, PA

Rabbi Jessica Locketz, Associate Rabbi and Director of Education, Temple Emanuel of the South Hills,  Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Heather Lubold, Pastor, Berkeley Hills Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Paul Lubold, Pastor, Pittsburgh, PA

Pastor Ryan Lucas, Interim Pastor, St. Paul's Community Church, Chicora, PA

The Rev. Lisa Lyon, Co-Pastor, Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church, Leechburg, PA

The Rev. Jim Magaw, Pastor, Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. John Magnuson, Associate Pastor, Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Rabbi Mark Mahler, Senior Rabbi, Temple Emanuel, Pittsburgh, PA

Rabbi Jeremy Markiz, Director of Derekh and Youth Tefillah, Congregation Beth Shalom, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Robert Marrow, Pastor, Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, Monroeville, PA

Sara Stock Mayo, Co-Spiritual Leader, Chavurat Shirah independent Jewish minyan, Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. Samuel McCann

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia McClung, Pastor, Mt. Lebanon Christian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. Donald McCoid, Bishop Emeritus, Southwestern PA Synod ELCA

The Rt. Rev. Dorsey McConnell, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh

The Rev. Gerald McCuller, Jr., Director of Spiritual Care, Homewood at Martinsburg, Martinsburg, PA

The Rev. Jennifer Peters McCurry, Associate Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Keith Mcilwain, Pastor, Slippery Rock United Methodist Church, Slippery Rock, PA

The Rev. Dr. Robert McKie, Retired Pastor, United Church of Christ, Greensburg, PA

The Rev. David Mears, Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Dorseyville, PA

The Rev. Nancy Mears, retired pastor, United Church of Christ, Ligonier, PA

Mr. Barry  Merenstein, Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. Tracy Merrick, First United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. D. Renee Mikell, Assistant to the Bishop, WPA United Methodist Episcopal Area, Cranberry, PA

Pastor Daniel Miller, Pastor, West Liberty and Branchton United Methodist Churches, Slippery Rock, PA 

The Rev. Linda Miller-Pretz, President, Pittsburgh Association of the Penn West Conference of the United      Church of Christ

The Rev. Robert Moffat, Retired Pastor, United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Ms. Holly Mohr, Director of Religious Education, St. Mary of the Mount Roman Catholic Church, Pittsburgh,  PA

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church 

The Rev. Dr. Blair Morgan, retired, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Glenshaw, PA

The Rev. Dai Morgan, Coordinator, United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA

Pastor Chris Morgan, Interim Senior Pastor, Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park, PA

Mrs. Sonya-Marie Morley, Deacon, East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Susan Moudry, Coordinator of Clergy Excellence, Western PA United Methodist Church, Cranberry    Twp, PA

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, Senior Rabbi, Tree of Life*Or L'Simcha, Pittsburgh, PA

Dr. William Myers, retired, Association of Theological Schools in the USA and Canada, Pittsburgh, PA

Pastor James Neatrour, Pastor, St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Imler, PA

Mr. Jon Nelson, East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Cantor Julie Newman, Cantor, Chavurat Shirah, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Richard Noftzger, Jr., Executive Presbyter, Redstone Presbytery, Greensburg, PA 

Margaret Park, M.Div., Proprietor & Principal, Creating Communities of Wellness

The Rev. J. Douglas Patterson, Senior Minister, Smithfield United Church of Christ, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Curtis Lane Paul, II, Pastor, Newlonsburg United Presbyterian Church, Murrysville, PA

Pastor Joel Peterson, Pastor, Eldersville United Methodist Church, Burgettstown, PA

Pastor Clint Phillips, Senior Pastor, Cross Town Ministries, Punxsutawney, PA

The Rev. Walt Pietschmann, Pastor, Bethesda and Olivet Presbyterian Churches, Elizabeth, PA

The Rev. James Pond, Indiana District Superintendent, Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the  United Methodist Church, Punxsutawney, PA

The Rev. Matthew Prince, Pastor, South Hills Partnership of the United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Jana Quisenberry, Minister, Brightwood Christian Church, Bethel Park, PA

The Rev. Philip Ramstad, Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Apollo, PA

The Rev. Kimberly Rapczak, Pastor, Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Beaver Falls, PA

The Rev. Gordon P. Ray, Retired Pastor in Residence, First Lutheran Church (Downtown), Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Eric Raygor, Pastor, Grace United Methodist Church, Somerset, PA

The Rev. Anthony Richardson, chaplain and brother, Lindisfarne Community, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Sarah Robbins, Member-at-large, PC (USA), Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. Bruce Robison, Rector, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. Debra Rogosky, Pastor, The United in Christ United Methodist Charge, Meadowlands, PA

The Rev. Karen Rohrer, Director of the Church Planting Initiative, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Mrs. Nancy Rosenthal, Congregant, Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Susan Rothenberg, Presbyterian Church (USA), Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Nathan Royster, Pastor, Brookville Presbyterian Church, Brookville, PA

The Rev. Michael Rucker, First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Teresa Russell, Youth Pastor, Christ Church Fox Chapel, Fox Chapel, PA

The Rev. Dr. Joel Scandrett, Assistant Professor of Theology, Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA

Deacon Amy Santoriello, Director of Faith Formation and Outreach, Zion Lutheran Church, Penn Hills, PA

The Rev. Robert Schaefer, Pastor, The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Monroeville, PA

Mr. Alan Scheimer, Beth El, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Cynthia Schneider, Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park, PA

The Rev. Scott Shaffer, Lead Pastor, Faith United Methodist Church, Fox Chapel, PA

Ms. Robin Sharp, Ruling Elder, PCUSA, and student, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

The Rev. Nancy Shute, Senior Pastor, Monaca United Methodist Church, Monaca, PA

The Rev. Marion Silbert, Associate Pastor, Newlonsburg United Presbyterian Church, Murrysville, PA

Mrs. Jeanna-Mar Simmons, Director of Mission and Outreach, Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park,  PA

The Rev. Dr. Alexa Smith, Pastor, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Salisbury, PA

The Rev. Dr. Christopher Smith, retired pastor, ABCUSA, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Kelly Smith, Pastor, Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. Brian C. Snyder, Pastor, Bower Hill Community Presbyterian Church, Mount Lebanon, PA

The Rev. Dr. Sheldon Sorge, General Minister, Pittsburgh Presbytery

The Rev. Dr. George Steffey, retired, United Church of Christ, Leetsdale, PA

Rabbi Howard Stein, Rabbi, Temple Hadar Israel, New Castle, PA

The Rev. Chris Stillwell, Pastor, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Connellsville, PA

The Rev. Bruce E. Stollings, Pastor, McKnight United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Laura Strauss, Pastor, Clinton United Presbyterian Church, Clinton, PA

The Rev. Terri Swails, Pastor, Presbyterian Church (USA), Leetonia, OH

The Rev. David Swanson, Pastor, Pittsburgh Mennonite Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Rabbi Barbara Symons, Rabbi, Temple David, Monroeville, PA

Father David Taylor, Pastor, St. James and St. Charles Lwanga Roman Catholic Churches, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Linda Theophilus, Pastor, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Gaea Thompson, Director of Pastoral Care, UPMC Senior Communities, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. John Titus, Minister, First United Church of Christ, Harrison City, PA

The Rev. Judith Tobias, Pastor, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Larimer, PA

The Rev. Richard W. Truss, Pastor, Zion Baptist Church, McKeesport, PA

The Rev. Dr. Steven Tuell, Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

The Rev. Dr. Heather Hurting Vacek, Vice President for Academics and Dean of the Faculty,  Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

The Rev. Kimberly van Driel, Pastor, First English Lutheran Church, Butler, PA

The Rev. Jeff Vanderhoff, Pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church, McMurray, PA

The Rev. Amy Wagner, Director of Congregational Development and Revitalization, Western Pennsylvania    Conference of the United Methodist Church

Imam Abdul Wajid, Religious Director, Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, Oakland, PA

The Rev. Brenda Walker, Pastor, Homestead Park United Methodist Church, Munhall, PA

The Rev. Susan Washburn, Pastor, Reunion Presbyterian Church, Mount Pleasant, PA

Ms. Julie Webb, former Outreach Coordinator, Islamic Center of Pittsburgh

Rabbi Jeremy Weisblatt, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. De Neice Welch, Senior Pastor, Bidwell Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. John Welch, Vice President for Community Engagement & Student Services and Dean of Students, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

The Rev. Erica Wellner, Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Marion Center, PA

Mrs. Tina Whitehead, Mission Volunteer, Israel/Palestine, United Methodist Church, Oakmont, PA

The Rev. Tara Wiederstein, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Linda Wilson, Pastor-in-charge, All Souls’ Episcopal Church, North Versailles, PA

Pastor Robert Wilson, retired, First United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

The Rev. Dr. Wayne Yost, retired, P.C.(U.S.A.), Indiana, PA

The Most Rev. David Zubik, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh

​

list complete as of 1:30 p.m., October 4, 2017

total signatures: 217