Balmoral Presbyterian Church

Memphis, Tennessee

In 2011, an African American congregation, Circle of Faith Christian Church, approached our church with the need for space. We welcomed them, and our building is now home to us both. We come together for Sunday studies, youth group, fellowship and service and have grown emotionally, intellectually and spiritually as a result. One Sunday study on “The Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism” transformed into an ongoing small group meeting monthly to try to reconcile race relations and understand systemic racism. Growing out of our studies is Balmoral’s support (financial and volunteer) of grassroots renewal of one of Memphis’ oldest and most historic African-American neighborhoods, Orange Mound. Joint Sunday studies for this year include the book “Black and White, Disrupting Racism One Friendship at a Time.”

Photo caption: Trouble I’ve seen small group, Balmoral Presbyterian Church.