Cathedral community,
We had a wonderful turnout at the Annual Assembly at the end of October. FAST welcomed two new member congregations (and since then 2 more have committed to joining!), received issue updates on affordable housing and water quality, and heard from local officials.
It remains clear that addressing the lack of affordable housing for those making 80%AMI or less and water quality/street flooding are more relevant than ever. Ten of thousands of homes across the county flooded or were destroyed. It will take months to assess the long-term implications of Helene and Milton. In the meantime, we remain dedicated to achieving significant wins on our two justice issues.
As we face complex problems, you may wonder, What can I do? I invite you to be an active participant in the upcoming FAST events! Save the dates for the upcoming meetings. Please reach out with any questions.
If you would like to attend or have questions, contact Deacon Hillary Peete (hpeete@spcathedral.com).
Nehemiah Action 2025
Hard Work Pays Off As We Continue The Fight for Justice and Equity
We celebrate another successful FAST cycle! Beginning with the house meetings held last fall, more than 80 people participated in a FAST event through the Cathedral. At the Annual Assembly, we voted to continue working on three justice issues: affordable housing for those making 80 percent or less of the area median income; the creation of an adult diversion program for non-dangerous driving offenses; and the creation of green infrastructure to improve water quality.
People worked on committees throughout the year to develop clear plans for how to address the complicated issues. They met regularly with officials. We gathered all the network members for issue updates and used our people power to bring together more than 1,200 people from across the county at the Nehemiah Action. While we were disappointed that Mayor Ken Welch and Police Chief Anthony Holloway declined our invitation, we heard powerful testimonies from individuals who have been directly affected by a lack of affordable housing, suspended licenses over insurance paperwork, and street flooding.
Finally, at the Joshua Assembly, we gathered again to celebrate our past and current accomplishments. Cathedral network members invested $6,000 in FAST and the continued work of creating a more just and equitable Pinellas County. Thank you to all who showed up at City Council meetings, committee meetings, prayer vigils, meetings with officials, and assemblies; made phone calls; invested your resources; invited friends; and prayed. It all makes a difference.
Stay tuned for house meeting dates this August and September!
Months of Hard Work Prevail: FAST Wins Promises of Change from Public Officials
“It’s just amazing to be with over 1,000 people,
from diverse backgrounds, all speaking with
one voice,” Betsy Adams said, pictured with her
husband Mike. “I’m thankful for what has been
accomplished and excited about moving forward
with these and other community issues.”
Thirty-eight members of St. Peter’s congregation were among nearly 1,000 participants who gathered at Indian Rocks Beach Church on March 27 to press public officials on initiatives to improve the lives of Pinellas County residents. And they prevailed. The members of FAST — Faith and Action for Strength Together — obtained promises from public officials to work on license suspension reforms, water quality, and affordable housing.
“Often, I feel there is nothing I can do individually to help create change,” said participant Fay Mackey. Now, “I understand that joining together with groups and organizing for change is the way to go.” FAST’s priorities were generated through cottage meetings around the county in late 2022 and through research and expert consultations. FAST comprises participants from more than 50 congregations in Pinellas County representing many religions and denominations.
“To be part of a social-justice event is to
be connected to the will of God.
The power of love and perseverance can create change.”
Every spring FAST holds what it calls a Nehemiah Action, named after the prophet Nehemiah, who stood in a large assembly before the nobles and officials of his community and challenged them to stop charging unjust and unfair interest, and gained a promise from the nobles to stop. (Read the full story in Nehemiah 5:1-13.) That was the purpose of the March 27 gathering, where FAST achieved these results:
St. Petersburg City Council members Richie Floyd and John Muhammad agreed to support an ordinance to decriminalize non-dangerous driving offenses, such as driving with a suspended license because of unpaid fines or driving with expired plates. Those arrests are often the result of economic inequities, and the arrests disproportionately affect Black people.
Clearwater Vice Mayor Kathleen Beckman agreed to draft a policy requiring developers to include rain gardens to manage runoff. That would filter out chemicals such as nitrogen, one of the causes of red tide.
FAST members will flood St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch’s office with postcards telling personal stories about their inability to find affordable housing. The group is urging Welch to create 5,000 units of affordable housing for families making 80 percent of the area median income or less by the end of his first term.
“The Nehemiah Action was a great opportunity to see the power of people of many faiths come together to advocate for change that will help those who need it most,” said parishioner Rebecca Lyons.
Speak Truth to Power! FAST Seeks Your Input On Community Justice Issues
“What is FAST?”
Have you heard the news? St. Peter’s has joined with more than 50 diverse faith congregations in Pinellas County through FAST — Faith and Action for Strength Together — to identify and address justice issues within our community.
The Chapter voted in May to align with FAST, which has been active in Pinellas County since 2004 and includes Christian and Jewish congregations, African-American churches, Protestants and Catholics. There are FAST organizations in other counties and cities across the country.
Identifying the needs and concerns begins with the listening process. September and early October are the months to gather this information through FAST house meetings. These gatherings provide us with the opportunity to get to know one another better as we discuss the problems we are experiencing in our community. The issues to be addressed during the next year arise from the house-meeting discussions.
Issues that have surfaced in the past include affordable housing, early childhood care, juvenile criminal justice, water quality, senior transportation, and mental health access.
Once these house meetings have been held all around Pinellas County, priorities are set about what to pursue. “Months of research produce policy recommendations,” the Tampa Bay Times reported earlier this year. “Those recommendations are shared with local leaders, who are invited to attend” public assemblies where their support is solicited. “Leaders in attendance are asked whether they agree to draft or support the policy change. If they answer ‘yes,’ the crowd erupts in applause,” the Times reported. “If they answer ‘no,’ follow-up questions prompt officials to justify their answers.”
We ask that you prayerfully consider the call to justice and answer “yes” when you are invited to participate in FAST. If you have not received a call and are interested in this ministry, please contact our Director of Christian Formation, Hillary Peete (hpeete@ spcathedral.com)