An exploration of how interfaith dialogue, as discussed at USC’s Compelling Preaching Across Divides event, can bridge divides and inspire collective action in Los Angeles’ diverse communities.
Historically in America, African American churches have been a long-standing source of safety, strength, and support for the African American community, in modern times, especially during the Civil Rights Movement. To date, African American churches have been underutilized as an important and essential partner for improving the health and wellbeing in the Black community.
“So, we’re here today, to join the voices of unity, in unity, a call with clarity, demanding Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León resign from their office and resign immediately,” said Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, senior minister of First AME Church of Los Angeles.
Faith leaders across the state are pondering whether to continue requiring their congregants to wear masks, after California dropped its COVID-19 mask mandates last month.
Known as “surprise medical billing,” these unexpected costs arise when a patient goes to a hospital for emergency or non-emergency care, only to find out afterwards that one of the medical providers who administered care was not covered in the patient’s insurance network.
Local faith leaders gathered in front of the L.A. District Attorney’s Office on Nov. 21, to urge D.A. Jackie Lacey to stop seeking death sentences. The delegation included Pastor Edward Anderson of McCarty Memorial Christian Church, Elder Joe Paul of the City of Refuge, Rector Mike Kinman of All Saints Church in Pasadena, Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels of Beth Shir Shalom and Pastor Larry Foy of Interfaith Movement 4 Human Integrity/Justice Not Jails. The group also delivered a letter, signed by more than 110 local faith leaders, that noted that Los Angeles is just one of two counties nationwide to sentence
Pastor William Turner, Jr. has charted a record number of milestones during his long ministerial career.
2016 has been a tumultuous year, especially for communities of color. The list of challenges ranged from repeated police shootings of unarmed black men to increasing numbers of incarcerated African American and Latino males to countless reports of economic injustices.
More than 30 faith leaders joined L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to encourage passage of Measure M, the Nov. 8 ballot initiative calling for a half-cent countywide sales tax to fund transit and road projects and improvements in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Harris invited L.A. faith leaders to an intimate breakfast Sept. 15 to discuss a range of issues affecting the state and nation,