Faith and PRIDE: Discussion with Elected Officials in SW Michigan

Faith, Compassion, and Action: Immigration Realities and Faithful Responses

Recorded live on April 16 at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Benton Harbor, this powerful panel discussion brings together voices from the front lines of the immigrant rights movement in Southwest Michigan. Hosted by Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan, this event—Faith, Compassion, and Action: Immigration Realities and Faithful Responses—features insights from Rev. Erik Broeren of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Betsy Lozoff of the Berrien Immigrant Solidarity Network, and Elizabeth Santana of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. Moderated by Nevine Khalil, the conversation explores the realities facing immigrant communities today and how faith-based organizations can respond with compassion and advocacy. Tune in to hear stories, policy insights, and practical steps for supporting our immigrant neighbors through informed, faith-driven action.

Christian Nationalism: It's Impact on Religion and Politics

What is the impact of Christian Nationalism on politics and religion? Interfaith Action of SW Michigan and The League of Women Voters for Berrien and Cass Counties co-sponsored the following program. Our panel includes Clark Gilpin, Dean Emeritus, University of Chicago Divinity School, and the Rev. Jeffrey Hubers, Senior Pastor, First Congregational UCC, St. Joseph, MI. Music Attribution:"Night Owl" from the Directionless EP by Broke For Free, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Available at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Bro [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Bro]... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0VBRlVleW9ERTNlQ0tjdy1JMjNrNW9NMkhJUXxBQ3Jtc0ttWnJfT2hwYS1yc1ptRllLcm1mc1FXeW96MldMTlZnd29ENmdMdm0tNnA0S0h3WmFDN05zVzJXMGN3dnJtdElQNHZ0NlpwdUxJeFhWczBMNUdfRXVnWDhBemlHeFQtX2ZoczFMczA2Y0NGUzBCNHRsRQ&q=http%3A%2F%2Ffreemusicarchive.org%2Fmusic%2FBrokeForFree%2FDirectionlessEP%2FBrokeForFree-DirectionlessEP-01NightOwl&v=mgZEo7IBogU].

Faith and PRIDE: Discussion with Elected Officials in SW Michigan

Interfaith Action annually recognizes PRIDE month in June with a program on Faith and PRIDE, exploring current realities for LGBTQ persons on the intersection with faith. This year’s program focused on a discussion with 5 openly gay and lesbian individuals who hold elected office or are candidates for elected office in SW Michigan. Participants in the discussion are: - Dave Bunte, Supervisor for Chikaming Township - Brook Thomas, Mayor, City of St. Joseph - John Bonkoske, Member, City of Bridgman City Council - Janet Henderson, Candidate for Berrien County Board of Commissioners - Jessica Jackson, Candidate for Berrien County Clerk. Panelists discussed the following questions: 1. What motivated you to seek political office? 2. How does your gender identity/sexual orientation influence your perspective on social policy - if at all? 3. Given threats to policies and practices of inclusion, how do you counter hate speech or discriminatory rhetoric — has your faith background influenced you negatively or positively - if relevant at all? 4. What do you see as primary threats to pluralistic democracy?

2024 National Day of Prayer

Each May, the U. S., along with many local communities, hosts a National Day of Prayer event. These are typically Christian in nature. Interfaith Action commemorates the National Day of Prayer with prayers from different religious traditions. The podcast includes the announcement of the annual Leader for the Common Good award, granted to an elected or appointed individual who has advanced the common good of all Michiganders on a statewide or regional level. This year’s award goes to Michigan State House Representative Joey Andrews. We invite you to listen to these prayers for our nation and an interview by Gene Schoon, Interfaith Action’s Policy and Justice Coordinator, with Representative Andrews.

Looking Forward

Our guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, a Methodist minister and founder and director of the Belfast-based "Rethinking Conflict” organization. Prior to this, he spent 27 years as a Methodist clergy person in parish ministry in Belfast. Gary played an integral role in the Northern Irish peace process, and was instrumental in facilitating negotiations with paramilitaries and government officials. In 2007, his contribution was formally recognised by Queen Elizabeth II. Mason has lectured throughout Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and USA, and advises the Biden Administration on implementing The Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA) of 2020, which focuses on strengthening civil society and developing grassroots peace building in the Israeli/Palestinian arena. Gary is also an affiliated expert and partner to the Negotiation Strategies Institute, a Harvard University program on negotiation for Israelis and Palestinians and international diplomats.