February 2024 Newsletter: Interfaith Action SW Michigan |
In this Newsletter: Black Religious Leaders Speak Out for Peace More tools for your immigration commitments Gun Safety Next Steps
I Stand for Inclusion Affordable Housing Policy Letter to the Editor
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Black Religious Leaders Speak Out for Peace
Black clergy have increasingly put pressure on the U. S. White House to increase its push for a ceasefire in Palestine and a return of Israeli hostages.
“Black clergy have seen war, militarism, poverty and racism all connected,” said Barbara Williams-Skinner, co-convener of the National African American Clergy Network, whose members lead roughly 15 million Black churchgoers. She helped coordinate recent meetings between the White House and faith leaders. “But the Israel-Gaza war … has evoked the kind of deep-seated angst among Black people that I have not seen since the civil rights movement.” “Our call for a cease-fire ought not be read as a call for the killing or terror of Jewish individuals and families,” said Rev. Michael McBride, a founder of Black Church PAC, who took part in the meetings in Washington. “We’re against all of these wicked expressions of dehumanization and terror, wherever they show up.”.
These efforts are consistent with Interfaith Action's October statement on the war. |
Want more tools for your immigration commitments?
Are you unsure about the next step to take in immigration ministry? If your congregation is committed to faith-rooted immigration justice, this program may be for you. The program will include biblical, theological, legal, pastoral, and leadership tools taught by a faculty team of pastors, activists, psychologists, and theologians preparing folks to work towards a more just world for immigrant communities. The start date is April 13, 2024, and the application deadline is March 30, 2024. Interested in learning more? Start your journey! Apply Now!
The 6-month certificate program is available in English and Spanish. Thanks to the generosity of donors, we have been able to reduce the cost of the entire program to $550! Interested but have more questions? Complete the interest form. |
Gun Safety Next Steps
On January 29 and 30, End Gun Violence Michigan hosted a virtual summit on implementation of the gun safety policies that the Michigan state legislature approved last year. Vicki Schroeder, Gun Safety Justice Liaison for Interfaith Action and past Co-Director serves on the Steering Committee for End Gun Violence Michigan and was involved on the Conference planning committee focusing on the role of the health care sector. Gun Safety policies that were approved last year (but go into effect in 2024) include: - Ability to obtain Extreme Risk Protection Orders for those who are of danger to themselves or others,
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Gun storage requirements for homes in which guns and children are both present,
- Universal background checks for all gun purchases, and
- A ban on gun purchases for those convicted of domestic violence
"Taken together, these laws represent a sea change in Michigan's gun safety regime," said Ryan Bates, the executive director of End Gun Violence Michigan. "We've gone from being a laggard having not passed a gun safety law in 40 years to being a national leader."
For religious leaders wanting more information on gun storage requirements or how to pursue extreme risk protection orders, please email swmichinterfaithaction@gmail.com. |
I Stand for Inclusion Rob Burgess, Treasurer for Interfaith Action, submitted this Opinion Editorial to the Herald Palladium for publication on January 30, 2024: We live in challenging political times. Some politicians on either the far corners of the left or the right would want to divide us and other Americans who may not share their personal beliefs. I must admit that I usually try to ignore divisive political speech because I know what it is meant to do: stir up emotions that divide and enrage voters to vote in a certain way.
On any given day or month, I may have a different favorite passage in the Bible. Usually, I consider myself a Matthew 25 Christian. It is probably because I find these words from that part of the Christian Bible profound, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me … And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’”
In a March 2020 article in Sojourners magazine, the author, a Presbyterian pastor states, “…invoking Matthew 25 is not a strategy to woo or convert the fairly entrenched …, but rather to mobilize around an optimism in the possibility of recuperating some notion of shared American values.” Shared American values. In these times, perhaps that is a naïve concept, but I don’t think so. I do think there still are shared American values even if some politicians and certain other leaders would want to deny the truth. I believe that Americans believe in Democracy, one person, one vote and that Americans support civil rights, religious freedom, and a desire for a fair and impartial justice system.
However, there is indeed some political speech which I find too poisonous to ignore and simply feel that Matthew 25 requires us to speak out. In May last year, Congressman Tim Walberg travelled to Uganda and gave a speech at a prayer breakfast attended by the President of that country. Mr. Walberg represents those of us in Lincoln Township, southern Berrien County and Cass County. In May according to Newsweek, the president of Uganda signed an Anti-Homosexuality Act which seeks to criminalize homosexuality and includes the possibility of the death penalty for individuals found guilty of "aggravated homosexuality”.
Mr. Walberg is quoted as stating at the meeting “Though the rest of the world is pushing back on (the Ugandan law and) though there are other major countries that are trying to get into you and ultimately change you, stand firm. Stand firm.” In addition, according to Kalamazoo’s WMUK radio, Mr. Walberg cruelly “joked” or said, “If I could decide what I want to be, what gender whatever it is, I'd be a yellow Labrador Retriever.”
Mr. Walberg shame on you. Your words do not represent shared American values and they certainly do not represent me. Religious values and faith are important aspects of our humanity. I have no doubt that you and others have strong beliefs regarding gender identity or homosexuality. I do too. Mine are found in Matthew 25 and Mark 12:30-31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
As Americans, we can and do have different beliefs and faiths. That is one of the beauties of America. Unlike countries like Iran, we do have freedom of religion established in our Bill of Rights. We all should be thankful for that. In his book, God and the Gay Christian author Matthew Vines makes compelling arguments from a religious standpoint that there is nothing about being gay that prevents gays from being faithful Christians. None other than former faith leader Rachel Held Evans in her review of the book says Mr. Vines has a “clear love for Scripture and deep, persistent faith.”
Mr. Walberg, your words were cruel and not shared American values, nor were they my Christian values. My values call me to forgive you. I hope you can forgive yourself after an apology to all your voters in southern Michigan.
In Southwest Michigan, the congregations listed at this site indicate they have met Interfaith Action’s criteria to be hospitable, formally affirming, etc. of our LGBTQ neighbors: swmichinterfaith.org/allarewelcome. |
Affordable Housing Policy
Michigan Governor Whitmer’s State of the State address (January 24, 2024), included continued strong support of housing affordability. The Governor’s plan calls for investing almost $1.4 billion of state and federal funds to build or rehabilitate nearly 10,000 homes, almost 3½ times the number of units the state has helped build or rehabilitate in the last 5 years. Interfaith Action supports the Whitmer administration’s commitment to housing affordability. Too many low- and middle-income families in Michigan cannot afford a home or spend too much on housing. The Governor’s planned investment not only addresses this need, it also supports employment in good-paying construction jobs, helps families build generational wealth, and provides stability within communities.
Update provided by Gene Schoon, Interfaith Action’s Coordinator for Policy and Justice |
The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to the Herald Palladium:
We are writing as leaders of Interfaith Action of SW Michigan to express our concerns about the potential launch of Coming Out Ministries in Berrien Springs. Historically Andrews University has prohibited on campus activities by Coming Out Ministries and some students and staff at Andrews University have publicly expressed their opposition to Coming Out Ministries’ potential purchase of a service site adjacent to the entrance to Andrews University. Coming Out Ministries’ purpose is, according to their website, to “… free people from the chains of homosexuality.”
As a collaborative of more than 40 faith organizations in SW Michigan, one of Interfaith Action’s commitments is the inclusion and equal rights of all persons, including LGBTQ persons. In concert with Pope Francis recent statement at the Lisbon Youth Conference, we share his perspective that “todos (all)” should be welcomed to communities of faith. Aull4One, an organization of Andrews University students, has officially opposed Coming Out Ministries stating: “We felt uncomfortable talking to them, going to their presentations, and reading their literature. Some members felt worse than uncomfortable. They felt scared.” Haven, an Andrews University affirmed support group for LGBTQ student, was formed out of the University’s “commitment to care and love; a rejection of hatred (4/29/22)” seeking to deepen their commitment “to create an environment where every member is a valuable part of God’s table … learning better how to love one another.”
Coming Out Ministries does not promote such an environment. We are pleased that Michigan is one of 23 states that prohibits conversion therapy. While Coming Out Ministries claims it does not provide conversion therapy, it does provide services that emulate conversion therapeutic approaches. We do not support the establishment of a Coming Out Ministries location in Berrien County based on our faith commitments, the opposition of Andrews University staff and students, and our shared desire to create environments “where everyone is a valuable part of God’s table.”
Rev Sue Greenwood, Chair, Board of Directors, Interfaith Action Rev Dr Fran Lane-Lawrence, Director, Interfaith Action |
Consider making an annual gift to Interfaith Action to support its work in 2024. Our work, and our witness, depend on your generosity. You can give online by clicking the blue "Donate Today" button below. |
You can also send a check to Interfaith Action of SW Michigan, c/o St Augustine's Church, 1753 Union Ave, Benton Harbor, Mi 49022. |
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