Please join us
For immediate release:
The First One Hundred Days: Promises Made, Promises Kept?
April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 7:00-8:15 pm
Because of the importance of an individual’s religious/spiritual choices in developing his or her values, faith communities can contribute to the development of a more just, humane, and ecologically responsible society. This central organizing principle of the Akron Area Interfaith Council (AAIC) underlies it social justice work in our community. In that spirit, AAIC announces a public discussion series, examining new national policy initiatives in five issue areas identified by the Biden Administration in setting its initial agenda: immigration, healthcare access, racial justice, climate change, and economic justice. We hope to contribute opportunity for education and conversation around new national level policies and on the impact of these changes on the Akron metro region.
These free, virtual gatherings will be held on five successive Tuesday evenings, running April 6-May 4, from 7-8 PM. Moderated by local media personality M.L. Schultze, each evening will feature a presentation on the subject, with two responses out of the Akron Area faith community, followed by a question/answer period for attendees. Please join us for the following evenings:
To register for each event, click each link
April 6: Immigration Justice o register, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpd-qpqD0uH9zi3LtDu7IhBENoAvSKapJv
Dr. Steven Volk, Emeritus Professor of History/Latin American Studies, Oberlin College
Dr. Khalid Madhi, Islamic Society of Akron and Kent
Sr. Juliana Beck, OSU, Catholic Worker Community of Akron
April 13: Healthcare Access https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pfuuqqjoiHdHTvGekgs5xgzRsO_kYaIhz
Dr. Kristin Kranz, Metro Health Hospital
Yvonka Marie Hall, Executive Director, NE Ohio Black Health Coalition, Christian
April 20: Racial Justice https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtduisrTovG9agVYIYjbvIAU3d0pszzV58
Judi Hill, Executive Director, NAACP Akron
Rev. Dr. Joyce Penfield, Episcopal Priest
Pastor David Nelson, New Hope Baptist Church
April 27: Climate Change https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsc-mqqTosGdMf7VfaVC8AkSmTIyaLOfC3
William S. Jordan, Retired Associate Dean and Professor, Akron Law School
Sr. Marguerite Chandler, Former Director, Crown Point Ecology Center
Bhakta Rizal, Founder, Shanti Farms
May 4: Economic Justice https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpf-ChpjgvH9wRnj8CIK4n81JQGEJCU1rq
Brant T. Lee, Professor of Law, University of Akron School of Law,
Assistant Dean of Diversity and Social Justice Initiatives
Rabbi Joshua Brown, Temple Israel
Rev. Michael Howard, Living Waters United Church of Christ
For more information, contact us at:
akronaaic@gmail.com.
Or 234-206-0088
Or visit our website at http://www.akroninterfaith.org
Program for An Interfaith Meditation: Prayers for the Pandemic
January 17, 2021 2:00 pm
https://bit.ly/InterfaithMeditation Click here to register
Prologue :
Madeline Breen, OPA, Dominican Associate of Peace
Welcome:
Kathryn Ress, LISW-S Chair Akron Area Interfaith Council
Opening:
Rev. Nanette Pitt, First Congregational Church of Akron
Period of Lament of Loss:
Rabbi Michael Ross, Temple Beth Shalom, Hudson and Jewish Educator
for Hillel at Kent State University
Lament of Injustice:
Pastor Herman A. Matterson Jr., The House of the Lord
Jaudith Yepes Nunez Delegate of V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry.
Call for Interracial/Interfaith Work:
Pastor “Coach” Kemp Boyd, Love Akron
Rev. Dr. Roderick Pounds, Second Baptist Church of Akron
Minister Stephen Muhammad, Nation of Islam
Calming Meditation to Prepare for Work Ahead:
Shih Ying-Fa, CloudWater Zendo of Cleveland
Rebekah Benner, Terra Amma Grove
Healing:
Rabbi Elyssa Joy Austerklein, Beth El Congregation
Imam Abdulkareem Sekta, Islamic Society of Akron and Kent
Hope:
Rabbi Joshua Brown, Temple Israel
Benediction:
Rev. Kate Landis, Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron
“Prayer: A COVID 19 Song,” Nimo Patel, Empty Hands Music

Please join us for a virtual event, “An Interfaith Meditation: Prayers for the Pandemic”, Sunday, January 17, 2 pm.
Join faith leaders from many parts of Akron as they share meditations and prayers to lament, heal, and find hope in these difficult times. Click here to register https://bit.ly/InterfaithMeditation

Photo of Annual Hunger Walk (2018); Raised $34,000 for Akron Area Food Bank in 2020
MISSION
The Akron Area Interfaith Council (AAIC) exists to initiate, coordinate and enable effective interfaith responses to the social, moral, ethical and cultural issues of our community and to promote freedom of religion, equality and understanding.
VISION
We envision a strong network of faith communities that collaborate to make our city a haven for all.
HISTORY
The AAIC was founded in 1980, when Akron area faith leaders collaborated toward better understanding. From the start, the AAIC focused on issues of peace, finding common denominators among different faith traditions. Members do not proselytize, convert, or emphasize one view over another.
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES
AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK
AKRON FIRST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
BAHA’I FAITH
BATH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
BETH EL CONGREGATION
CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR
DOMINICAN SISTERS OF PEACE
FAITH LUTHERAN, FAIRLAWN
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF AKRON
GLOBAL TIES AKRON
HINDU COMMUNITY
ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF AKRON AND KENT
JEWISH COMMUNITY BOARD OF AKRON
NEW COVENANT COMMUNITY CHURCH
ST. HILARY PARISH
TEMPLE ISRAEL
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF AKRON
UNITY CHAPEL OF LIGHT
WALSH JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
WISH – WOMEN’S INTERFAITH SPIRITUAL HERITAGE
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The organizational structure of the AAIC includes a nominated and council approved executive board consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Standing committees exists in the areas of Education, Finance, Public Relations, Social Justice and Spiritual Life. These committees work to plan and conduct activities and programs that enrich interfaith interaction, enhance the mission of the AAIC, and empower AAIC members to magnify interfaith work in their respective spheres of influence.
Current Council Executive Board
Kathy Ress, President
akronaaic@gmail.com
Alan Fortnoff, Vice President
afortnoff@gmail.com
Constance Dubick, Secretary
Noor Najjar, Co-Treasurer
najjarnr@aol.com
Judy DiNardo, Co-Treasurer
tdinardo@att.net
BYLAWS
Click here to read the AAIC Bylaws






