August 2025 - Monthly Newsletter
- Helms Jarrell
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
AT A GLANCE
Upcoming Events
On August 17th, we’re going to celebrate at the Pride Parade. Afterwards, rather than meeting at our regular location and time, we’ll meet up at Rhino Market W. Morehead St at 6pm to eat dinner together. See you there!
Community Life
Response Requested!
Here is the list of who's leading what through May 2025. If you need to switch leadership with someone or let folks know you’ll be absent, the document should be editable. Here is a guide sheet for preparing to lead Creative Contemplation or Community Response/Prayers for the People.
Governance
The next Governance meeting is Aug 20 via zoom at 6:30pm. The zoom link is in the google calendar invite.
The Future of Ophelia Garmon Brown Center
The Ophelia Garmon Brown Center, where we meet, may have some big changes coming its way soon. Sept 3rd: Meet at the Ophelia Garmon Brown Center at 5:30pm for a tour of the building and to hear about the new Incubator space there. I'm not sure yet whether this means Beloved Community Charlotte will have to begin renting rather than using the space for Free. This is an opportunity for us to learn more. QC Family Tree folks will be there too and will stay at the OGB Center to continue the Rhizome meeting after the tour. 2647 Freedom Dr
Summer Book Club
Get your copy of Belonging: A Culture of Place by bell hooks and start reading. Message Helms if you intend to join the book discussion on Aug 24 at 1pm.
QC Family Tree & Praxis Updates
The following are a list of opportunities, organized by QC Family Tree, for you to engage in justice action in our city.
Here’s a link to QCFT Rhizome Coalition announcements.
There’s so much going on with QC Family Tree right now. Are you following QCFT’s social media? Do you get the monthly emails? Please reach out to Helms if you need help signing up for this information.
Beloved Community School for the Common Good
forming a culture of justice, connection, and collective care.
Fall Season: September- Nov 23, 2025
Wayfinding: Wisdom for Action in the Public Square
What can we learn from our ancestors, the earth, and our traditions to help us build a better future?
How can we use stories, art, and our own experiences to tell the truth about what’s wrong and imagine what’s possible?
How can we use art, actions, and community events to stand up against injustice?
What does it look like to show care and fairness in our communities through public efforts?
Tentative Activation (not confirmed yet)
Carolina Social Music Club facilitates a pop up concert/choir- talking about the background and influence of their songs, their cultural and spiritual lineage (human and More-than- human) They lead folks through singing and crafting a playlist/book of songs that can be used on the streets in protest, public actions, press conferences, etc.
Toolkit - Resources to use at home, with family, and in small groups. become a sponsor of the school to receive an all seasons pass to this toolkit or order a season at time. Coming soon!
Beloved Community Circles: Facilitated small group conversations Date TBD.
Ritual Gatherings: Bi-weekly practices of ceremony, creative contemplation, story sharing, and connection rooted in the Christian tradition at Ophelia Garmon Brown Community Center, 2647 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208, from 5pm - 7pm.
Communications
Ways to stay up to date
Slack is a communication tool that BCC folks use to update each other throughout the week. If you want to join the slack, let Helms know.
If you don’t want to find us on Slack, you can still find updates on our Linktree.
You can also add the Beloved Community Charlotte Google calendar to your calendar.
If someone you know wants to join our belovedcommunityclt email list, email iamhelmsie@gmail.com and she’ll add you to the list.
If you want to schedule some time to connect with Helms, feel free to find a time that works for you using this link: https://calendly.com/helmsjarrell
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