July 30, 2022







Annual Stakeholders Meeting Provides Programmatic Review and Feedback

The InterFaith Leadership Council held its annual stakeholders meeting in-person and virtually on June 16 at the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn. Greg Geiger, Rev. Stancy Adams, Bob Bruttell, and Raman Singh provided programming updates for the new health equity partnership, Religious Diversity Journeys and Bridging to Belonging. Prof. Saaed Khan served as moderator. Break-out groups gave attendees an opportunity to express their thoughts about important elements of the Bridging to Belonging: An Interfaith Community Values Project.      

The group was welcomed by Sheikh Ibrahim Serhan of the Islamic Center. The photo above includes l to r: Dennis Archambault, Prof. Khan, Rev. Jimmie Wafer, Rachel Geiger Cannon, Rev. Stancy Adams and Robert Bruttell.

Pew Research Center Assesses Opinions on the Separation of Church and State
 
         In response to several recent Supreme Court decisions concerning religion in the public sphere, the Pew Research Center has conducted a new survey about Americans’ views of the separation of church and state. The following summarizes this survey and related Pew research:
       Americans have been debating where to draw the line between religion and government since the country’s founding. The Constitution prohibits a national or official religion. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults (73%) say religion should be kept separate from government policies, according to a survey conducted in spring 2022. Just 25% say government policies should support religious values and beliefs. While majorities of both Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (84%) and Republicans and Republican leaners (61%) say religion should be kept separate from government policies, Republicans are far more likely to say government should support religious values (38% versus 16%).
        The Johnson Amendment limits political activity by religious organizations, and most Americans (70%) want churches and other houses of worship to stay out of politics, according to a 2021 analysis. Still, a survey conducted during the presidential race in July 2020 found that some U.S. adults who had attended religious services in the month prior or watched services online said they had heard sermons expressing support for or opposition to specific presidential candidates. Forty percent had heard sermons discussing the importance of voting, protesting or other forms of political engagement.

Dealine for Donations for Gannett Matching Requirement Is August 12
     The InterFaith Leadership Council has applied for a grant from the Gannett Foundation’s A Community Thrives program. This grant requires applicants to raise $3,000 in matching funds. Please consider a gift to support the InterFaith Leadership Council’s grant application at https://mtyc.co/k8xqef
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         Podcast Series Continues with “Are Children Sacred to Us Today?”

      Robert Bruttell hosts the InterFaith Leadership Council’s 13th podcast in its Faith & Works series. The featured guest participant is Saba Maroof, M.D., a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. They explore the challenges of raising children in today’s society—including the responsibilities of parents, religious institutions and the general community. Find the podcast on Apple, Spotify and at detroitinterfaithcouncil.com.


      The Great American Muslim Road Trip on PBS
         
WTVS, the Detroit-area’s local public television station, recently broadcast a three-part PBS series about an Ann Arbor Muslim couple’s road trip on Route 66—a journey which uncovered a rich Muslim presence and history in the U.S. An interview with this couple is available at this link: https://www.onedetroitpbs.org/one-detroit/ann-arbor-couple-takes-the-great-muslim-american-road-trip-along-route-66/
Upcoming Events

         The 10th annual Suburban-Urban Interfaith Picnic—presented by the Detroit Interfaith Outreach Network (DION)—will be held on Sunday, August 7 from 12 to 4 p.m. in Shelter 3 at Belle Isle State Park. This year’s theme is “Valuing Each Other!” and will include an interfaith service, games and food for adults and children. This will be a welcome opportunity to gather in person since the pandemic; vaccinations are required and masks are optional. For more information contact Rabbi Dori at [email protected] or
(248) 556-6316.
         The InterFaith Leadership Council will present a documentary about Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion, on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at the West Bloomfield Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Rd. The movie will be presented from 2:15 to 3:45 followed by a discussion led by Harjot Kaur and Jusnoor Kaur. Masks are required. A $10 donation is requested. For questions, contact [email protected] or call (248) 897-0863.
Visit http://www.detroitinterfaithcouncil.com/events-calendar/
Hindus Will Celebrate in August

The Hindu community will celebrate three major holidays during August:
 ·        Raksha Bandhan: (August 11) A day celebrated in India when sisters tie a “rakhi--sacred thread” around their brothers’ wrists to symbolize brotherhood and sisterhood, and mutual protection for each other.
·      Janmashtami: (August 19) The annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna. 
·       Ganesh Chaturthi: (August 31) The annual Hindu festival that celebrates Lord Ganesha.

 
InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit | P.O. Box 252271, West Bloomfield, MI 48325
Phone: [313.338.9777] Email contact: [email protected]