Unprecedented alliance of religious leaders unites to advocate for shelter and literacy

An unprecedented alliance of religious leaders in the metropolitan region has come together to address what they see as two of the most pressing issues facing our region at this moment: warmth and literacy.

The Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit includes leaders of most of the region’s religious traditions, including the Board of Rabbis, the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, the Muslim Imams’ Committee, the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Presbyterian Church USA, various Orthodox traditions and numerous other religious groups.

“Our entire community continues to be especially hard hit by the struggling economy,” according to a statement released by the group. “This has created a moral crisis to which we must respond. Therefore, we agree that it is our moral responsibility to advocate together for the well-being of all who live in our community.”

In addition to mobilizing and coordinating their own resources, the religious leaders will “join together to pledge our attention and our moral leadership to seek comprehensive strategies from all our community leaders,” they said. “We pledge our determination to work with them to make those strategies successful.”

The first priority for the group is warmth and shelter. “No one should freeze to death in our community this winter,” the statement said.

And “second, literacy among both children and adults is essential to the well-being of all individuals and for the productive future of our whole community.”

Many social service agencies are expecting an increased demand for support for heating this year, following changes in both federal and state programs for shut-off assistance. And literacy efforts for both adults and children have been growing across the region.

Many religious congregations have established warming shelters and supports for the poor as well as literacy programs.  The Religious Leaders Forum has pledged to work to coordinate those efforts to maximize their impact.

In addition to focusing the attention of other community leaders on these issues, “we are committed to supporting existing programs by mobilizing volunteers, providing more facilities as appropriate, and taking other practical steps to address these critical challenges,” according to their statement.

The Religious Leaders Forum was convened last year by the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit to explore ways to mobilize the group’s collective influence to help the region thrive and prosper.  The first meeting of the group was initiated by Rabbi Joseph Krakoff of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Bishop Edgar Vann of Second Ebenezer Church and Roman Catholic Archbishop Allen Vigneron.

“The members of the Religious Leaders Forum believe that the moral and social values espoused by their respective groups are important considerations for our entire metropolitan community,” according to Robert Bruttell, chair of the Interfaith Leadership Council. “Clearly, they share an unshakeable belief that the grace of God is abundant in our community.”

Read the complete statement by the Religious Leaders Forum here.