Join us in our efforts towards conciliation, education, and connection. The InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit is a faith-based civic organization made up of visionary religious and lay leaders of many faiths whose shared values compel them to work toward a community that lives together in harmony. We offer many enriching programs to our community. BRIDGING TO BELONGING: A COMMUNITY VALUES PROJECT
Our latest program, Bridging to Belonging: A Community Values Project, seeks to (re)ground all of us in the values that inform our lives and bring us closer to the Beloved Community. Through small discussion groups of diverse community members, who, led by our trained moderators, come together in a safe space to share their individual stories, and learn about one another. Participants move from storytelling to dialogue to collaboration over a three-session unit. RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY JOURNEYS
A unique, immersive interfaith educational experience for hundreds of Tri-County area middle school students. Students learn differences are okay and not to be feared, and that learning about people of different religions, ethnic groups, and races can offset negative stereotypes. RDJ incorporates the National Council for the Social Studies College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework and enhances Michigan Department of Education Grade Level Content Expectations for the study of World Religions in 7th grade. Journeys are underway for the 2022-23 school year. WORLD SABBATH OF RELIGIOUS RECONCILIATION
The mission of the World Sabbath is to teach our diverse population in Metro Detroit that the work of building a community of justice, equality, respect, and peace is a calling we all share – all of us, no matter what our faith tradition might be. Featuring a Children’s Procession of Peace, this annual program developed 21 years ago, highlights that God is a God of peace and that all faiths are called upon to build a world of tolerance and justice. Most importantly, we are impacting our children, our teens, and our young adults. Our World Sabbath processional includes children of many faith traditions, proudly waving the peace banners they decorated themselves. These children come together to sing the song “We Are Children of Peace.” Each year, we honor the World Sabbath Peacemaker Award to someone who is making a difference in the interfaith world, bringing people together to build community. RELIGIOUS LEADERS FORUM
The Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit is a gathering of diverse senior faith leaders who believe that the significant moral and social values of their respective religions are important considerations for our entire community. They share an unshakeable belief that the grace of God is abundant in our community. Since 2010, Forum participants have met quarterly to foster mutual respect and to seek ways that their collective influence might help the metropolitan Detroit community to thrive and prosper. They have focused on such issues as literacy, household energy/warmth and the moral imperative of providing water to all households. EXPLORING RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPES AND “ASK A…”
Many of us do not have the opportunity to learn first-hand about religions other than our own, which can lead to misinformation and stereotyping. Exploring Religious Landscapes and “Ask a …” enable participants to learn about specific religious beliefs and practices directly from their adherents. Programs for Exploring Religious Landscapes have featured individual panels of Muslim and Hindu women and youth, and perspectives on women’s image in Christianity.
“Ask a …” features several individuals from a specific religious group who answer audience questions about their faith and customs. The atmosphere is friendly, open and informal. Recent programs have included "Ask a Latter-day Saint", "Ask a Sikh", and "Ask a Jewish Person". For more information on our programs or how you can get involved, please visit our website at http://www.detroitinterfaithcouncil.com
