“Why is “faith-based” community organizing important for our community?”

Livestreamed at 10:30

What are the particular challenges that we face in Pittsburgh as we build a stronger infrastructure for faith-based organizing? What are the considerations for a congregation/faith organization in joining current faith-based organizing programs in our community?

Welcome to our guest Rev. Martin Rafanan. Rev. Rafanan (he/him/his) is a retired minister and labor/community organizer rostered in the Southwest Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He lives in the historic Hill District of Pittsburgh and is a member of St Andrew Lutheran Church Shadyside. Martin served as a parish pastor in predominantly African American settings for twenty years in St. Louis before taking on roles as a director of nonprofit agencies active in the interfaith and housing sectors. Over the last fifteen years of his ministry, he served as an organizer of low wage workers by connecting community leaders to the low wage worker movement. He is currently serving on the Development Review Panel of the Hill District Community Development Corporation and as a consultant to his synod’s Authentic Diversity and Justice Team. He is a member of the National Organizing Training Team of Jobs with Justice.

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