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

first-hundred-days-press-release-final-1 Download

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.