The Justice & Racial Reconciliation Team was formed in 2016. If J&RR is to be a vibrant part of BelPres for the next ten years we need Leaders. The goal is to have three to four members of the Leadership Team, each serving a three year term, with staggered term ending dates. We need both continuity and fresh voices.
Would you like to get more involved in our local community and gain skills in group facilitation, cultural competency, and best practices for participatory engagement? Apply to join the City of Bellevue's Cultural Conversations Facilitator Class! Find out more and apply here. Applications are due on April 12. This is a great way to move from learning into action!
By Heather Hedlund
When the BelPres Justice & Racial Reconciliation Team formed in 2016, one of our first activities was a book discussion of Let Justice Roll Down by John Perkins. This book has set the tone for the work we've been doing ever since. Dr. Perkins went home to Jesus on March 13, 2026, at the age of 95. As I've been reflecting on his legacy, I'd like to share some of the reasons his life and work have been so important to me.
A poem by Howard Thurman from his book The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
- To find the lost,
- To heal the broken,
- To feed the hungry,
- To release the prisoner,
- To rebuild the nations,
- To bring peace among brothers,
- To make music in the heart.
In November, three members of the J&RR Team participated in a Racial Justice Pilgrimage to learn from the witness of the Black Church during the Civil Rights Movement and to be formed by their courage, suffering, and hope.
Do you know someone who loves Jesus and our church, is committed to the community, and demonstrates wise leadership and/or compassionate care? Recommend them for leadership! Elders help lead the church and deacons help care for the church. Please take some time to pray about who you want to recommend for these important positions.
You can send in a recommendation until Oct. 19, 2025 via orange slips at the Welcome Desk or by submitting online by clicking here.
On a lovely summer Saturday morning, members of the J&RR team along with some friends and neighbors gathered at the corner of 20th and Madison to experience "Seattle's Infamous Redline" walking tour.
With the app downloaded to our phones and our earbuds in place, we started the tour. We knew we were on the right corner when we found a poem embedded in the sidewalk. As we listened to the narration on our app, our virtual tour guides shared the history of the poem and guided us to our next stop.
When we talk to people about the justice issues on their hearts, one of the most common things that comes up is access to affordable housing. The City of Bellevue is updating its Affordable Housing Strategy over the course of 2025. As part of continuing engagement for the update, the Office of Housing has created three videos that provide an overview of the basics of affordable housing in Bellevue.
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