Passing Away of MDiv Student Rev. Bernice Anita Burson

The Burson Family is saddened to announce the passing of a pastor, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend to many, the Rev. Bernice Anita Burson, on Monday, May 4, 2015. NYTS Professor Rev. Peter Goodwin Heltzel, Ph.D., her friend, has written the following tribute in her memory:

A Tribute to the Rev. Bernice Anita Burson

Our heart is broken as we announce the passing of the Rev. Bernice Anita Burson, Senior Pastor of El Pida Baptist Church in Brooklyn, on Monday, May 4, 2015. I first met Anita in 2008 as she worked as a research assistant for Prof. Lowell Livezey, Director of the Ecologies of Learning Program at New York Theological Seminary. Through this urban congregational research project, she was able to get to get to know faith communities throughout all five boroughs.  She put these clergy contacts to good use, as she served as an Ella Baker Fellow at the Micah Institute, joining Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Sekou Osagyefo, Edison Bond, Danny Diaz, and Gail Davis in organizing faith leaders to join the Living Wage NYC Campaign, which successfully persuaded the City Council of New York to pass The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act in June 2012. I always enjoyed our passionate conversations about the history of the faith and political collaboration in New York City, over burgers and cokes at the City Diner on Broadway and 90^th Street on the Upper West Side. A bridge builder, Rev. Burson forged strong ties between faith leaders, elected officials and unions, like the Retail Wholesale, and Department Store Union, where she worked on clergy outreach for the Organizing Division. While Rev. Burson began her theological studies at Andover Newton Seminary, she had begun taking classes at NYTS and will always be part of our NYTS Family. A caring pastor and faithful friend, Pastor Burson was full of prophetic fire for justice. Our heart-felt prayers of comfort and peace go out to her family and El Pida Baptist Church. I hope you will be able to join me at her funeral on Monday at 2 pm at Convent Avenue Baptist Church.

Peace,

The Rev. Peter Goodwin Heltzel, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Theology
Director, Micah Institute
New York Theological Seminary

Homegoing Service information is as follows:

 Monday, May 11, 2015

at the

Convent Avenue Baptist Church
420 West 145^th St and Convent Ave
New York, New York 10031

Family Visitation – 12:30 p.m.

Service  – 2:00 p.m.