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Seminary Built on Slavery and Jim Crow Labor Has Begun Paying Reparations

Will Wright

May 31, 2021 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Alexandria, Virginia

The Virginia Theological Seminary is giving cash to descendants of Black Americans forced to work there during slavery and Jim Crow. Annual payments, taken from a fund set to grow at a sustainable rate, will go to the closest direct descendant of each Black worker. Fifteen descendants have received payments so far, but that number will likely grow as genealogists continue to search through records. The payments, along with efforts to build relationships with the families, are the Seminary’s way of acknowledging their role in the exploitation and recognizing the contributions of those forced to work there.

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The Group Turning Religious Leaders into LGBTQ Rights Crusaders

Tolu Olasoji

May 31, 2021 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Mombasa

Persons Marginalized and Aggrieved in Kenya works with religious leaders over the course of many years to build empathy and understanding towards the LGBTQ community. Faith leaders are often not immediately aware of the goal, but PEMA’s continuous and carefully orchestrated engagement allows them to gradually build relationships, hear personal stories from real people, and learn to preach tolerance. PEMA has worked with 619 religious leaders, 246 of which are currently active, and runs a Training of Trainers program where “converted” religious leaders train their colleagues to increase LGBTQ acceptance.

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Getting Vaccinated in the Holy Month

Furqan Mohamed

May 13, 2021 |

The Local |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Toronto, Ontario

The Neighbourhood Organization has helped organized pop-up clinics to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, including a culturally inclusive pop-up clinic in Thorncliffe Park, which has a large Muslim population. The vaccine rollout occurred during Ramadan and some had concerns over whether the vaccine was halal or if it would break one’s fast. As a workaround, organizers decided to extend the clinic until midnight so that people could come after they completed their fasting. Community ambassadors helped spread the word and the well-attended clinic ended up running until after 1:00 am.

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Markham, Ont., vaccine initiative shows what happens when tech and faith team up

Diane Peters

May 07, 2021 |

Broadview Magazine |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Canada, Markham, Ontario

A community effort spearheaded by a local church and a software company is helping senior citizens in Markham, Ontario secure Covid vaccine appointments. Ahead of the vaccine rollout, a reverend and a parishioner began collecting senior's information via an online form, which allowed them to streamline the signup process. The effort's success has attracted surrounding communities who are now working with the duo to reach their seniors as well.

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How A U.K. Imam Countered Vaccine Hesitancy And Helped Thousands Get The 'Jab'

Frank Langfitt

April 26, 2021 |

NPR |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, Birmingham

Sheikh Nuru Mohammed uses weekly sermons as imam at Al-Abbas mosque to dispel false information about the COVID-19 vaccine, inspiring hundreds of skeptical congregants to get vaccinated. He also turned the mosque into a vaccination center and 50 mosques have since done the same. Mohammed’s public vaccination and his sermons, which emphasize getting information from experts not social media posts, make an impact because it is coming from a trusted source rather than government officials. The mosque also delivered over 15,000 doses to people in the area, making an important connection with the local community.

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Cleveland's Black Churches Host Vaccine Clinics To Protect Their Flock

Conor Morris

April 23, 2021 |

ideastream |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

Black churches in Cleveland are transforming into vaccine clinics during the coronavirus pandemic to help get shots into the arms of those who have had trouble accessing a vaccine appointment. The sites have largely reported that of the 2,700 people who have received their first dose through the initiative, the vast majority of the shots they've administered have gone to Black people.

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‘Within minutes I was weeping': the US pastor using scripture to mobilize climate action

Melissa Godin

April 20, 2021 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Asheville, North Carolina

Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri of North Carolina works with the Creation Care Alliance to better connect his Christian faith with climate action. Over the years they have developed a toolkit for congregations on how to get involved in the climate discussion. They also host eco-grief meetings that are very popular. They would like to reach more conservative or evangelical members of their community that are more skeptical of climate change, but they have had some success in reaching a wide audience.

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Embracing the light: Churches tap solar power

Jhesset Enano

April 11, 2021 |

Philippine Daily Inquirer |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Philippines, Leyte

Over 70 Catholic dioceses in the Philippines have entered into an agreement with energy resource company WeGen Laudato Si to install solar panels on their parishes, schools, and other buildings. The Diocese of Maasin on Leyte Island became the first in the world to completely shift to renewable energy. Installing the panels can be expensive, but shifting to solar has saved one diocese at least 100,000 pesos a month in energy bills.

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Black Churches Work To Combat Vaccine Fears

Anna Almendrala

April 09, 2021 |

Fierce for Black Women |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Richmond, California

In the Bay Area of California, Black churches are helping to encourage trust around Covid vaccines for those in their congregations who are hesitant to receive the shot. After focusing on dispelling misinformation and extending reliable resources, one church leader says "the majority of his 125-member congregation, about half of whom are senior citizens, want the vaccine."

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U.K. Community Leaders Step In to Aid Vaccination in Ethnically Diverse Areas

Geneva Abdul

April 06, 2021 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London, England

To discourage the spread of misinformation about the Covid vaccine and decrease vaccine hesitancy in minority communities, religious leaders and other influential people in Britain have launched campaigns to dispel concerns. According to a survey about overall willingness to take the vaccine, the efforts – which include posters, sermons, a help line, and WhatsApp chats – have been working.

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