In a letter dated February 8, 2022, Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, NCC Governing Board Chair and Presiding Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, extended congratulations to the country of Liberia on its bicentennial celebration to Bishop Kortu K. Brown, President of the Liberia Council of Churches, on behalf of the Governing Board of the NCC.
The letter states:
We rejoice that the voices of the Liberian churches are a part of this landmark anniversary!
The nation of Liberia was founded by formerly enslaved Americans seeking to escape ongoing oppression as the vestiges of American slavery continued to impact their lives. By God’s grace, the vision of freedom in their own country came to fruition and has survived for 200 years!
We join in this celebration with humble hearts and acknowledging that the church in the USA did not do enough to prevent the subjugation and discrimination of black people. In many instances, people of faith actively participated in this systematic enslavement and later marginalization of human life.
We join with you in celebrating God’s vision of unity for the church and a respect for all human life, regardless of race, color, creed, nationality or religion. May God strengthen us all as we strive to be voices of hope and advocates for justice.
Presidential Delegation to Attend the Bicentennial Celebration of the Arrival of the First Free Black Americans to the Republic of Liberia
Bishop Jefferson-Snorton will be joining a Presidential Delegation to attend the Bicentennial Celebration. In a press release, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. announced a Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Liberia to attend the Bicentennial Celebrations in Monrovia, Liberia on February 14, 2022. The press release states, “This marks the arrival of the first Free Black Americans to Providence Island in 1822, which led to the establishment of the City of Monrovia, and in 1847, the Republic of Liberia.”
Also announced in the delegation:
-The Honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, who will lead the delegation.
=The Honorable Michael A. McCarthy, United States Ambassador to the
Republic of Liberia
– The Honorable Dana Banks, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Africa, National Security Council
– Mr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution