“We’re all in this together” is a phrase thrown around a lot lately. While COVID-19 has affected us all, it has not affected us all equally. This pandemic has revealed and increased disparities that have long been present in Baltimore. The Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway, Sr.—a native Baltimorean and Pastor of Union Baptist Church (UBC)—joined ICJS’ weekly Congregational Leaders’ call on May 21 to discuss how to advocate for and serve communities hit hardest amidst this pandemic.
Hathaway spoke of the long traditions of social justice, anti-discrimination, and community activism at UBC, an historic “servant church” now in its 168th year of continuous ministry.While UBC has been physically closed since March, Hathaway has transitioned to digital services and officiated a live-streamed funeral. Hathaway considers this “an awesome experience,” but it begs the question: “How do you preach a message during these times?”
In the meantime, a Head Start program in the UBC community employs 44 people and serves 175 children. By transitioning from learning programs to feeding programs, all staff are still employed, and children and families are provided with pop-up meals and resources, as well as virtual learning opportunities during the summer months. A partnership was also forged with a KN-95 mask distributor, resulting in 1,000 donated masks to the community. Hathaway conveys a sense of hope throughout these trying times, stressing the significance of this new community – this new understanding of our faith traditions – and how we apply them to our daily lives. “During this time we’re going to have to create a community that is moral and just, that has values of equity and equality,” said Hathaway. Mirroring the legacy of advocacy of Union Baptist Church, Hathaway refuses to retreat from his responsibility to the church’s congregants and community, continuing to uplift the lost and the left-out. “This crisis has pulled back the curtain on so much of what we have known for a long time about our society,” added The Rev. Dr. Carletta Allen of Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis. “So all the disparities that harm people of color, people of ability, and all of the other things in our society that are wrong, have been [made more apparent]…. So the question politically, philosophically, spiritually, religiously is: What does the new normal look like for people who have been disenfranchised and marginalized for centuries? We have this kairos moment to define a new normal that works for people. ”
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The next ICJS-hosted congregational leaders’ call will be held Thursday, May 28, at 1:00 p.m. with Rabbi Rory Katz of Chevrei Tzedek, exploring questions around re-opening of congregations and the role of religious exemptions / religious freedom. Please email info@icjs.com to request an invitation to join the conversation.