The Rev. James A. Rice was a bridge builder among peoples of diverse backgrounds. From his youth through his thirty-five year ministry in Rochester, Jim actively promoted liberation and empowerment of the oppressed. While his personal values and commitments were rooted deeply in his Christian faith, he worked in the community alongside people of all religious traditions and those who affirmed no religious identity.
Born in 1927, Jim was raised in rural South Dakota where his family had many close friends among the Lakota people. He developed a keen empathy for people living on the fringes of society, with little economic or political power, and struggling against negative stereotypes held by people of the dominant culture. Eventually he felt called to a vocation in Christian ministry, a commitment through which his passion for social justice would find ready statement.
After graduating from the University of South Dakota and McCormick Seminary Jim was ordained a Presbyterian minister. Beginning in 1965, Jim served in Rochester where his assignment was to encourage churches in becoming more involved in community life - serving to meet human need, build social justice, and improve living conditions. He held this position until retirement in 1992, and then continued many of his involvements on a volunteer basis until his death in 2000.
Over the years varied human needs received Jim's attention. For example, he helped: organize city neighborhoods to improve the quality of residents' life; build coalitions among churches and community agencies to deal with racism at home and in South Africa; bring together people of different faiths to support victims of AIDS; develop programs to welcome to Rochester refugees from many nations; and support farm workers in dealing with unfair labor practices. One of Jim's favorite projects was helping found The Interfaith Forum of Rochester, an arena for ongoing dialog and collaboration among people representing a wide range of local faith communities.
In addition, on a more personal level, Jim traveled overseas to enlarge his understanding of others and to express solidarity with those in special need. He participated in work projects in Jamaica and Nicaragua and attended church meetings in Cuba and Zimbabwe. Back home, he and his wife Lucile were friends and mentors to many foreign students living in Rochester. Their dining room, along with many a restaurant table, became centers for promoting international and intercultural understanding and compassion.
In recognition and appreciation of the extraordinary gifts the Rev. Rice gave as a "bridge builder" among so many different groups, the Interfaith Forum of Rochester has established an essay contest for youth. We believe the writing will provide an important occasion to renew and promote the legacy of Rev. Rice as an ongoing resource for community-building.
|
|