This summer, the Faith and Race Project currently has six activities that are ongoing or scheduled:
- Unity Walk on July 4th
- Presentations of The History of Race Relations in Livingston County:
- June 20th – Brighton Library
- July 15th – Chilson Hills Church
- August 17 – Grace Lutheran Church
- All are Welcome Here Initiative – Ongoing
- Faith and Race Book Club – Discussion of 1st Book (James) August 20
- See below for details regarding events and activities in August
- Presentation of The History of Race Relations in Livingston County
Author Dr. Leo Hanifin has spoken a dozen times at Livingston County libraries, clubs, churches, schools and community organizations summarizing his book, A Brief History of Race Relations in Livingston County. His presentation also reflects on the social forces that influenced that history and brought us to where we are today and typically leads to a discussion of how we can become a diverse community that is known as welcoming and inclusive to all.
The next presentation will be
August 17 (6:30 PM) at Grace Lutheran Church, 312 Prospect St, Howell, MI 48843
Dr. Hanifin is anxious to continue to tell this story at other venues, at no cost to the host organization. To schedule a date for his presentation, email LivFaithandRace@gmail.com
2. Faith and Race Book Club
A team from our core group has created a book club where neighbors from our community can read books that deal with race relations and diversity and then share their reflections and views in small groups. The first book selected is James by Percival Everett and we will be discussing it at 6:30 PM on August 20th at the 1st United Methodist Church in Howell (1230 Bower Street).
Here’s the QR code to register.
Already, over thirty signs have been posted in churches, businesses, civic organizations and libraries in our county.
3. All are Welcome Here Initiative
If we value diversity and truly love and welcome all people, the first thing we should do is to SAY SO! To help businesses, churches, government offices and civic organizations to do just that, the Livingston Faith and Race Project will provide a free sign to post near their front doors.
Anyone wishing to obtain this sign can just email livfaithandrace@gmail.com and we will get a sign to you.
4. Wear the Message – Tee Shirt Sales – Ongoing
Wear the message of love as you move about our community to show you love and welcome all people.
You can buy Faith and Race Project tee shirts from the Spirit of Livingston Store in Howell. Click here to see images and options and to order: https://faithraceprojectshirts.itemorder.com/
Recent Event: The Bible Beyond Black and White
You can view this entire event below. The various program segments start at these times:
Welcome and Prayer by Pastor McMunn: 1:50
Introduction to Event and Speaker by Leo Hanifin: 4:00
Dr. Ratzman’s Presentation: 6:40
Comments by Pastors Pastors Greble, McMunn and Howell: 34:30
Discussion and Questions by All Present: 50:40
Invitation to Action: Opportunities to “Do the Work”: 1:20:30
What does Scripture have to say about races, tribes, and coexistence? In a time of resurgent racism, antisemitism and nationalism, Dr. Ratzman explores the history of how some Christians and Jews have used and abused religion for violence and exclusion . . . and examine an alternative path forward defined by others who embrace love and diversity.
Following his presentation local religious leaders will reflect on how this guides our path forward today in our community.
Rev. Douglas McMunn, Pastor – 1st United Methodist Church, Howell
Fr. David Howell, Pastor Emeritus – St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, Brighton
Rev. Ken Greble, Pastor – Grace Lutheran Church, Howell
If we value diversity and truly love and welcome all people, the first thing we should do is to SAY SO! To help businesses, churches, government offices and civic organizations to do just that, the Livingston Faith and Race Project will provide a free sign to post near their front doors.
Dr. Elliot Ratzman is a research fellow at the University of Michigan’s Raoul Wallenberg Institute. He teaches courses on modern religious thought, politics, and culture with an emphasis on race and ethics. He is finishing his first book, on issues of Jewish ethics and racism in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Ratzman is also part of the national leadership of the Fellowship of Reconciliation USA, the oldest interreligious organization dedicated to war resistance and civil rights.