A new group is forming in Kent called the Kent Inter-Faith Alliance on Reconciliation and Justice.  I have keenly felt the absence of such a group over my years serving here and thus wanted to support this emerging effort with my presence.  I was thrilled to find representatives of many diverse area faith communities seated around the table and the promise that the invitation to participate will eventually be sent to all faith communities in our area.  The group is forming specifically to seek faith based collaboration in embodying reconciliation and social justice.

As a first event, the group is inviting faith based communities to participate in a march this Sunday, August 2, from First Christian Church of Kent (Disciples of Christ) to Spelman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.  The march will step off at 11:00 am and is 8/10 of a mile.  We are invited to march with a symbol of our faith tradition.  When we arrive at Spelman, each faith community will be invited to place their symbol on an altar.  The pastor at Spelman, Dr. L. A. Gatewood, is preparing a special sermon on reconciliation and justice which will be delivered once the marchers arrive.

I will be attending and I hope that some of you will join me.  If you do, you might be inclined to wear Standing on the Side of Love t-shirts.  However, as a sign of respect for our hosts at Spellman Chapel, I encourage you to consider dressing up a bit for church.  If you’d like to participate but aren’t up to walking that far, please feel free to meet us at Spelman Chapel around 11:20 or so at 910 Walnut Street in Kent.  Outdoor amplification will be arranged with the hope that we will not all be able to fit inside the church.  If you would like to march, First Christian is just up the street from our church at 335 West Main Street.

Yours in faith and hope,

Melissa