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Support for Sikh community captures media attention; Dearborn mosque also hit

2012-02-15T18:45:38Z

The interfaith rally against the vandalism of a Sterling Heights worship site captured the attention of many news media outlets last week. Among the highlights:

NBC affiliate WDIV posted this video: Community bans together against vandalism

The Shelby Township news: Groups offer support after vandals damage Sikh house of worship

Detroit Free Press: Ralliers to cleanse anti-Muslim graffiti today from Sikh temple in Sterling Heights

Sadly, another house of worship was attacked by vandals last week in Dearborn, Michigan:

In the Dearborn Patch: Police Investigating Vandalism of Dearborn Mosque

According to the Detroit Free Press: Three Dearborn buildings defaced with graffiti

Interfaith leaders rally against hate, host 'cleansing' of Sikh worship site

2012-02-09T19:57:36Z

Civic and faith leaders from metropolitan Detroit are hosting a news conference Friday to protest the recent vandalism of a Sikh holy worship site and offer support and symbolic protection for the sacred space.

In the early morning of February 6, graffiti vandalism was discovered at the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) construction site in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The graffiti included vulgar language, epithets, apparent cross and gun drawings, and references to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Click here to see a photograph of the vandalized site.

Community leaders from the Sikh Society of Michigan, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit, the Interfaith Center for Racial Justice, the Troy Interfaith Group, Women's Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in Metropolitan Detroit (WISDOM), Congressman Gary Peters' office, and other community leaders will host the press conference.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosts communicators, debunks myths

2012-02-02T17:34:21Z

The Detroit Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsEvery couple of months, an informal group of professional communicators with interest in religion and diversity--journalists, authors, educators, filmmakers, web developers, and media experts, to name a few--convenes to connect and share news about local interfaith developments.

The January gathering, hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, offered timely resources in the midst of the presidential campaign's heightened rhetoric. Communicators spoke directly with top state church officials about the background, traditions, missions, and beliefs of the Latter-day Saints.

World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation brings together children of peace

2012-01-17T18:51:11Z

On January 29, children of all ages will gather at Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate the diversity of Metro Detroit faith traditions at the 13th Annual World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation.

With a mission to "teach our diverse population in Metro Detroit that the work of building a community of justice, equality, respect and peace is a calling that we all share," the World Sabbath has outgrown is original space at Christ Church Cranbrook and includes well over 100 children and youth, thanks to the leadership of chairperson and IFLC board member Gail Katz.

Daniel Buttry leads screening of 'Pray the Devil Back to Hell' on January 11

2011-12-15T14:30:33Z

The inspiring documentary film "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" will be shown beginning at 6:30 p.m. January 11 at the Birmingham Community House, 380 South Bates in Birmingham. Daniel Buttry, global consultant for peace and justice of the American Baptist Churches, will facilitate discussion after the film.

A story of sacrifice, unity and transcendence, "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" honors the perseverance of the women of Liberia.

Did you miss the IFLC symposium at the DIA? Watch video clips here

2011-12-15T14:25:29Z

Howard LupovichSusan McGarry

Saeed Kahn

More than 100 friends and supporters of the InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit enjoyed fellowship, food and friendly exchange at a program titled "Religion, Community, and the Arts: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges" event, held in conjunction with a special tour of the Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts on December 4.

During the program, guests were treated with presentations by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scholars sharing each tradition's perspectives on the person of Jesus. Co-sponsor of the event was the Building Communities initiative, a joint project of the Jewish News and the Chaldean News.

Click below to see short video clips of each presentation.

Seminary celebrates Dan Buttry's 'Blessed are the Peacemakers'

2011-12-15T13:39:37Z

Daniel Buttry urged attendees at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary's advent celebration to find renewed inspiration from Isaiah Chapter 11: ". . . and a little child shall lead them."

"We say it every year, but we have forgotten the power of the words," said Buttry, international peace activist, author and IFLC board member, in reference to the oft-quoted Bible verse.

Bringing the ancient prophecy into present day reality, Buttry shared stories of two impactful child activists--Choc’late Allen and Mayerly Sanchez--from his latest book, "Blessed are the Peacemakers".

Read more about those child activists, the ETS's celebration honoring Dan Buttry, and the book "Blessed are the Peacemakers" at ReadTheSpirit.com.

Rev. Susan McGarry joins interfaith symposium panel at the DIA

2011-11-17T20:05:03Z

The Rev. Susan E. McGarry will represent the Christian tradition at the Religion, Community and the Arts: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges interfaith symposium at the Detroit Institute of Arts on Sunday, December 4 in conjunction with the Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus exhibit. McGarry will speak in place of Dr. Marsha Foster Boyd, who is unable to attend due to personal and family reasons.

Thanksgiving a prime opportunity for interfaith unity and celebration

2011-11-17T15:26:26Z

Many religious congregations are finding common ground by participating in interfaith observations of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“The spirit and celebration of Thanksgiving give us many opportunities to see how our faith values overlap with our public lives,” according to Robert Bruttell, chair of the board of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit (IFLC). “

For resources to create or promote your own interfaith Thanksgiving service, including the history of Thanksgiving and a sample program, check out our Interfaith Thanksgiving Resources page.

Media spotlights issues addressed by Religious Leaders Forum

2011-11-02T17:46:36Z

The commitment by the Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit to advocate for shelter and literacy is attracting some media attention.

In the Detroit Free Press: Religious leaders join to fight illiteracy, keep poor warm

Local media outlets are also highlighting the devastating impact of the cutbacks facing Detroit residents:

Detroit News: Winter heat help shrinks

Detroit Free Press: Detroit loses out on $9.2 million to help poor people

The Bridge magazine: Literacy woes hamstring Detroit's revival

Watch this space for more media coverage of this important issue.