Video recording of the April 20 Spring ECS–NJ Summit on Building and Equipping the Beloved Community
ECS-NJ Summit Celebrates Earth Week
For Earth Week 2023, Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of New Jersey (ECS–NJ), the Global Goals Task Force, the Urban Revitalization Task Force, and the Creation Care Committee presented an engaging forum grounded in scripture on Gospel justice and environmental issues. Keynote speaker Reverend Ronald Tuff of GreenFaith looked at the transformative power green jobs hold for local communities in New Jersey.
“Environmental Justice: It Takes a Village,” the Spring ECS-NJ Summit to Build and Equip the Beloved Community, took place on Zoom at 7 p.m. on April 20. It included time for conversation about action steps to work for a more just and sustainable economy as well as an announcement of the Spring 2023 ECS-NJ grant awards.
About the speaker
The Rev. Ronald B. Tuff is GreenFaith’s Engagement Officer for New Jersey with an emphasis on Black Church engagement. With degrees from Wilberforce University (BA) and Fairleigh Dickinson University (MPA), he served for 15 years as director of the Patterson Task Force, a community-based weatherization agency. He is the second vice-president for the New Jersey Black Issues Convention of the Work Advisory Council and an associate pastor at First Bethel Baptist church in Irvington, NJ.
About the Summit
The mission of ECS-NJ’s semi-annual Summit on Building and Equipping the Beloved Community is to provide a safe and accessible space where issues related to social justice and the elimination of poverty in the state of New Jersey and beyond can be seriously and respectfully considered. We believe that a network of parishioners, concerned citizens and religious and civic leaders meeting together and sharing ideas, information and best practices will have a positive impact. The creation of compassionate communities where God’s vision of justice, peace and love, which enhance the dignity, health and well-being of all people, can become a reality.
About ECS–NJ
Episcopal Community Services (ECS-NJ) is a new initiative that focuses on proactively addressing human needs, such as food and shelter, and relentlessly working against both social and racial injustice.
We will accomplish these goals by:
1. providing grants to our ministries and projects
2. offering educational and training opportunities
3. opening up crucial connections and networks
4. advocating for meaningful systemic change
