To all Members and Friends of the Churches of the Missouri Mid-South Conference:

Dear Friends,

The Reverend Geoffrey Black, President and General Minister of the United Church of Christ will be present tomorrow, Wednesday, August 20, in the City of Ferguson, to give pastoral support to the people of Ferguson and meet with church leaders. You are invited to pray for Geoffrey's visit and for continued healing in the Ferguson community and to share as you are able in the events of the day.

In the morning, at 11:00, Geoffrey will visit the grounds of the Canfield Apartments as a participant in the interfaith clergy ministry of presence in that neighborhood where the sense of grief and the expressions of anger and hurt over the past few days has been most acute.

From 1:00 to 3:00, at St Peter's United Church of Christ, 1425 Stein Road, in Ferguson, Geoffrey will be in conversation with area clergy who are concerned about how our churches will respond to the challenges presented by the events of the past few days and look at the opportunities that this moment presents for a faithful response to the systemic issues that need to be addressed in all of our neighborhoods.

At 3:00, a community interfaith worship service will take place at St Peter's Church to which all are invited. Geoffrey will bring the message.

Finally, from 4:00 to 5:30, Geoffrey will meet in an informal gathering with the clergy and lay leaders of our North St Louis County United Churches of Christ, to listen to the experience of the congregations and converse about their role in bridging racial divides and seeking reconciliation among the people of North St Louis County.

Planning Team for the Visit of Reverend Geoffrey Black

Rev. Dr. Frank Proctor, Coordinator

Rev. Dr. Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister