Beloved Community
"Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Our mission at The Beloved Community is to inspire all people to work together, creating a city on a hill that is a powerful witness to God's love and reconciling grace.
These are the established seven priorities of the committee:
- We want Suntree UMC to be known as a safe space.
- We want to see diversity in Leadership and Membership.
- We want to engage in partnership with Diverse Churches.
- We want there to be less fragility in the congregation, especially around hard conversations about diversity.
- We strive to be unapologetic in identity, with space for ideological “compatibility” in diversity.
- We strive for alignment of staff and resources to commit to reconciliation initiatives at all levels of ministry.
- We want to work within advocacy and justice priorities in our values.
The Beloved Community Committee periodically hosts events and produces materials throughout the year to help educate and cultivate a culture of diversity and inclusivity.
Want to know more or want to get involved? Contact Pastor Bailey at:
February is Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, Suntree’s Beloved Community Committee wanted to highlight some events that are happening locally that celebrate Black History in Brevard County:
Honoring Our Roots: Inspiring Our Future - Black Heritage Calendar Fest
Get ready — one of our community’s most anticipated and beloved celebrations is growing in a big way! The 24th Annual Black Heritage Calendar Fest, hosted by the Melbourne-Palm Bay Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is back and this year, it’s moving to the Melbourne Auditorium to make room for even more joy, culture, and connection.
This year’s theme, “Honoring Our Roots, Inspiring Our Future,” invites us to celebrate the brilliance and resilience of our history while pouring encouragement into the generations rising today. It’s a day to learn, to celebrate, to uplift, and to stand together in unity and pride.
And yes — come comfortably and dress festively! Attendees are encouraged to wear the beautiful colors of Pan-African liberation: red, black, green, and gold. Whether you go bold or subtle, your presence and spirit are what make the day shine.
For more than two decades, the Black Heritage Calendar Fest has brought families, neighbors, and visitors together to celebrate culture, creativity, and community. With its new home and expanded offerings, the 2026 Fest promises to be the most vibrant yet.
You can find more information about the Black Heritage Calendar Fest using the button below:
Black Heritage Calendar Fest Event Page
Beloved Community Film Viewing: “Changing History by Non-Violent Means”
The Beloved Community Committee will host a screening of “Changing History by Non-Violent Means,” the 2019 talk John Baggett gave at Florida Tech’s Evans Library. The event will be on Sunday, February 22, at noon in the Dining Room. The viewing will also lunch and a Q&A time with Dr. Baggett.
You can also find the presentation here.
Loyd Have Mercy Restaurant
Looking for a delicious way to support a locally owned black business? Eat at Loyd Have Mercy! Located at 3434 S. Washington Ave., Titusville, FL 32780, Loyd's offers gourmet soul food that is considered "some of the best food this side of heaven." Check out their menu below!