Interwoven Congregations Quarterly
Welcome to Interwoven Congregations Quarterly -- A journal of insight and expression on the road to racial justice and healing. In each issue you will find special interviews that illumine and inspire, profiles of racial justice initiatives by congregations, along with some artistic renderings from verse to sketch to video.
Issue #11-- Part III: REPARATIONS. (Feb - Sept 2025) We resume our series on Congregations Doing Racial Justice with this special issue on reparations. We are posting a series of 7 conversations on our blog and then will produce a combined magazine version at the end which we'll post here. ​​​​​
Issue #10 -- Israel & Palestine: A Conversation. (March 2024) We paused our Doing Racial Justice series for an issue to engage one of the most pressing issues of our day -- the renewed conflict between Israel and Palestine. Rev. Sari Ateek from St. John's Norwood Episcopal Church in Maryland (and a Palestinian native) and Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, shared in an intimate converation of anguish, reflection and hope.
​ ​Issue #9 -- Part II: Congregations Doing Racial Justice (October 2023). In our October issue, we do a deep dive with two congregations in Northern Virginia that are partnering to not just learn about racism and build relationships, but to take action against systemic racism. We also highlight initiatives in Charlotte, NC and Topeka, KS where people of faith are doing racial justice!​​​​​
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Issue #8 -- Part I: The Apology. (June 2023) With this issue, we kick off a 4-part series on Doing Racial Justice. The series is borne out of a sense that many congregations are more readily able to take steps to educate themselves about racism and making relationships across racial barriers than they are to take action to impact systemic racism. After all, going after the wage gap, mass incarceration, health inequality and other vestiges of racial oppression can be daunting. Hence this series, which begins where the work may begin -- with the apology. Step into the series! Million Man March. ​​​​​
​Issue #7 -- A Conversation about Anti-bigotry
(November 2022) responds to a question and an alarming trend. The question came from a member of a Jewish synagogue who asked if Interwoven Congregations had a statement on antisemitism. (We didn't.) The trend is the upswing of bigotry across the country that is popping up in popular culture, our politics, in schools and elsewhere. So in this issue we examine responses to bigotry with a special focus on antisemitism and Islamophobia. What can we do? What are you doing?​
Issue #6 -- Three Questions (August 2022) is a special issue. We were honored to interview 20 people from two congregations that are partnering together to promote racial justice and healing. The result is a stunning array of stories and reflections about how race and privilege have touched their lives, and their earnest hopes and candid concerns about the way forward. (You can also watch this video of the interviews!) The issue also includes a photo essay and testimonies from the Poor Peoples' Campaign's June 18th march on Washington. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Issue #5 -- A Conversation with the PCUSA Co-Moderators (May 2022) shares the vision and challenge of Elder Elona Street-Stewart and Rev. Gregory Bentley, co-moderators of the Presbyterian Church USA, for how the church can be an agent for racial justice and healing, including among Native American communities. The issue, published on the second anniversary of the death of George Floyd, includes a special remembrance, as well as statements regarding the tragedies of Buffalo and Uvalde, TX. ​
Issue #4 -- An Interview with Dr. Eddie Moore (February 2022) features a conversation with Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., founder of the White Privilege Conference. We explore his personal story of a second chance at life, his trailblazing role in helping the nation confront white supremacy, the upcoming White Privilege Conference #23, and his personal invitation to join the family.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​Issue #3 -- Pastor Julie and Pastor Darryl (November 2021) takes a personal look at the partnership that the Rev. Dr. Darryl Roberts of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church and Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell of First Baptist Church (both in Washington, D.C.) have developed between their two congregations to promote racial justice and healing. The issue also features an effort to build community across race, religion & culture an ocean away. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​Issue #2 -- Antiracism & Patriotism (July 2021) explores the intersection of patriotism and antiracism with Professor Annette Gordon-Reed and four thought leaders from four different religious traditions. The issue also features the iconic photography of Roderick Terry from his 25th anniversary collection from the Million Man March. ​​​​​
Issue #1 -- A Conversation with Ambassador Andrew Young (April 2021). Our inaugural issue features a conversation with Ambassador Andrew Young and friends (Rev. Bernice Parker-Jones, Rev. Chuck Booker and Rev. Cassandra Wainright); a poetic lament in the midst of Covid and racial injustice by Rev. Bob Melone; and the public debut of emerging artist Joni Harbaugh!
