Saturday, September 12, 2020 |
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A Message from CMM's Executive Director |
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Loyalty and the Beloved Community
September 12, 2020
Rev. Dr. Rodney L. Petersen
CMM’s vision statement, “Faiths Together for Social Justice,” is meant to evoke Martin Luther King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.” It is a vision that strikes at the heart of the idea of loyalty and citizenship in current political debate on this occasion of the memory of 9/11.
The concept and practice of citizenship emerged out of what it meant to be part of a tribe, to be a “subject,” or even a “national.” The aftermath of the American and French Revolutions in the eighteenth century saw the emergence of civil citizenship. The idea of political citizenship can be seen to have arisen in the nineteenth century, and that of social citizenship in the twentieth century. Following this sense of evolution from narrowly defined loyalty to greater civic tolerance, the idea of an emergent global citizenship with religious rights and responsibilities has arisen as a growing social reality in the twenty-first century.
Apocalyptic fires in the West, race and anti-race rhetoric, the pandemic at loose across the globe, and issues of climate change evoke debate around loyalty and our understanding of citizenship. To which of the four definitions of citizenship do we hold? CMM promotes community dialogue and engagement through programs like Values over Violence (VOV) and Clergy and Laity for Affordable Housing (CLAH) and an Interfaith Understanding of Survival in the midst of these current challenges of Climate and the Pandemic as ways of practicing loyalty to the vision of citizenship in the “Beloved Community.”
An evolution in the idea of citizenship is connected by Sociologist Elise M. Boulding with the principles that led to the emergence of the United Nations. She argues that a new model of citizenship that is multicultural – involving respect for all groups within the state – multinational and multidimensional is on our political horizon: a threefold citizenship to local community, the nation-state, and global agreements. In this context, religious citizenship is a dimension of citizenship at each level. Rather than regressive in its commitments, religion offers deep meaning, the energy for moral vision and a means to reconciliation and peace that is increasingly recognized. This is a vision that inspires loyalty to the “Beloved Community.”
P.S. We appreciate MIRA's reminder about voting, sent out just this morning:
Get Out and Vote! Voting is power!
As the November election approaches, remember to register and vote early (October 17th-30th). This year, you can vote in-person or by mail! Vote by mail is as easy as 1-2-3. Here’s how it works:
- Complete, sign, and mail the ballot application by October 20th to make sure that it reaches your local election office by 5pm on October 28th
- Local election office sends you a mail-in ballot
- Fill out the ballot and return it to your election office
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At your dropbox - find your location here!
- Mail it with a postmark no later than November 3rd and make sure that it reaches your local election office no later than November 6th
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Revelation in a Time of Survival: A Zoom Series on Climate and the Pandemic
6 Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:30pm;
- September 1
- September 8
- September 15
- September 22
- September 29
- October 6
Sept. 1 was an introduction to the series which began on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The series will end on Tuesday, October 6, through St. Francis Day (10/4), running for an hour each consecutive Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 in the evenings.
Continuing this Tuesday afternoon, September 15th, at 5:30pm for 1hr!!! SIGN UP BELOW!!!
“The Oneness of God in Islam with the Earth and its People”
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Dr. Harun Spevack is a professor of Islamic Studies. His teaching specialties include topics in Islamic studies—law, theology, Sufism, history, and culture. His research interests include Islamic intellectual history (law, theology, Sufism, logic) especially with regard to the 13th to 19th century legal and theological commentary traditions, as well as contemporary issues in Islam. He has taught at Harvard University’s Summer School (2010-present), Colgate University (2012-present), Loyola University New Orleans (2010-2012), and was a post-doctoral teaching and research fellow in the Humanities at Hamilton College (2008-2010). Prior to that he taught Music Theory at Ai New England Institute of Art, Arabic at Boston University, and private musical instrumental and ensemble lessons at Music Maker Studios (Brighton, MA) and Buckingham, Brown, and Nichols high school (Cambridge, MA.) He is also a founder and director of Boston’s Bukhari Institute, which offers educational programs on the arts and sciences of the Islamic world.
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Dr. Basyouny Nehela holds an M.A. in Fundamentals of Religion, and a Ph.D. with Honors in Da’wa and Islamic Culture, both from Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Dean of Academic Affairs and professor at Boston Islamic Seminary. Dr. Basyouny was previously an Associate professor at Qatar University’s Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies, Department of Islamic Creed and Da’wa, a faculty member at Al-Azhar University and Islamic American University, and Imam of the Islamic Society of Boston. He has also served as head, and coordinator of many academic committees covering Curriculum Enhancement, Core Curriculum, Strategic Plan, Academic Activities and Events, & Professional Development. He has taught many academic courses including Fundamentals of Dawa, Ethics, Comparative Religion, Islamic Creed, Islamic Culture, Quranic Studies,…etc.
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Dr. Aijaz Baloch is an active member of Islamic Center of Boston, Wayland (ICB) where he has held several board positions including Treasurer and President (twice), each a two-year term. At ICB, Aijaz has been very active in the interfaith and social action activities and helped launch several new programs during his two terms as President. Aijaz is also a board member of Islamic Multi Services Organization that runs a food pantry and provides trainings and support to low income people in Roxbury area. In professional life, Aijaz is the Executive Vice President of Professional Services at Techlogix, Inc., an international software services company. Previously, Aijaz worked at MIT Lincoln Laboratories in the Machine Intelligence group and as a research faculty member at Boston University’s Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems. Aijaz received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Boston University in Engineering & Applied Sciences. Aijaz has published several papers in reputed international journals.
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Fay Khudairi is a member and volunteer of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC) in Roxbury, MA. She started the ISBCC Green Team to educate community members on the Islamic tradition of tending to the earth. The Green Team focuses on environmental justice to improve the health of the surrounding land and implement sustainable practices institution wide. Most recently the Green Team led a successful month-long initiative to minimize and divert waste with intensive education and a composting and recycling program. Fay currently works as a registered nurse at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program and is pursuing a masters in public health with a focus on environmental health.
(which will be at the bottom of the confirmation email)
Suggested donation $10
This is a proposal for a 6-week program that brings together congregations from the three Abrahamic traditions, other religious leadership and interested persons. We envision 15 faith community leaders (three each week after the introductory session), each to offer 7-10 minutes of reflection to the community regarding questions like those below that relate spirituality to sustainability in this period of pandemic and climate change. After opening remarks participants/congregants will be welcome to add additional reflections and Q/A.
- What is the role of God in the current pandemic and climate change?
- What is the role of spirituality and religion with respect to sustainability?
- What is the role of people of faith?
- How can we connect more with our spirituality to overcome this growing crisis?
- What do we tell our children when they ask why this is happening?
The development of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) has come to a critical juncture. UNEP’s next MTS is being developed against an unprecedented opportunity: to ensure that, as nations invest in building back a better world from the current COVID-19 pandemic, their efforts do not merely recover the unsustainable economic models of yesterday, but help us build a healthier, greener and more resilient economy that is centered on human and planetary wellbeing.
The results of our Boston program will be shared with faith leaders who represent ‘The Faith for Earth Coalition’ in Iceland, a preparatory meeting to the UNEP programming inclusive of faith leaders; young faith leaders; CEOs of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs); Scientists and theologians.
Speakers TBA leading up to each of the seminars
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International Day of Peace Boston 2020 - Shaping Peace Together
Sunday, September 20, 2020, 3 - 4:30pm
ONLINE VIA ZOOM (RSVP BELOW)
For the 10th year, we are putting on Boston's celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace and hope you can join us on Zoom!
This year's theme is Shaping Peace Together, and we are planning an event focusing on the three pandemics: Racial Injustice, Violence, and COVID-19. The Reverend Rodney Dailey (New Bethel AME Church, Lowell MA) will once again serve as emcee. The Reverend Rahsaan Hall, Director of the Racial Justice Program for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts will be one of the speakers. John Flynn, an American singer-songwriter and activist (founder and executive director of New Beginnings - Next Step, Inc.) known for his powerful music, will be featured on the program and Toussaint Liberator, an internationally recognized West African drummer, singer, and activist. KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS! Please visit the local website, www.idpboston.org, for more detailed information and check out more on the international nature of the event at www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace.
(which will be at the bottom of the confirmation email)
Suggested donation $10
Co-sponsors include: Friends Meeting at Cambridge, New Bethel AME Church, Lowell MA, Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries and the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness.
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Al Filipov Peace and Justice Forum 2020
Featuring Rev. June R. Cooper
Sunday, September 20, 2020, 4 - 5:30pm
ONLINE VIA ZOOM/REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND!
"Good Troublemakers Needed: If not you, who? If not now, when?"
Join us as we honor the Reverend June R. Cooper for her lifelong work for social justice. Reverend Cooper is Executive Director of City Mission in Boston the oldest multi-service agency in New England and the second oldest in the United States. City Mission has served the educational, economic, and social needs of impoverished area residents since 1816. Before coming to City Mission, June managed Boston’s federal Healthy Start program, a $100m initiative that has been credited with significantly decreasing the infant mortality rate in Boston in the late 1990s. She earned a B.A. from Newton College of the Sacred Heart, a Masters of Social Planning from Boston College School of Social Work, and a Masters in Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. She is an ordained American Baptist minister with dual standing in the United Church of Christ. June embodies the mission of the Al Filipov Peace & Justice Forum and values the promise of what can be accomplished by mobilizing people of goodwill to overcome injustice.
Following the reflections of Reverend Cooper, there will be a question and answer period. Questions may be submitted at any time during the presentation using the chat option. The moderator will review and present the questions live to Reverend Cooper for her consideration as time permits.
You will receive a confirmation email immediately and we will send a series of reminder emails as the forum approaches. If you have any questions, please email us at info@filipovforum.org
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Upcoming Community Events |
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Love Boston: UniteBoston's Virtual Concert
TONIGHT 7PM
Amidst the challenges of today’s public health crisis and racial injustices, local Christian artists are uniting for a one-night only virtual concert experience. Representing hip-hop, worship, soul, and gospel genres, Boston’s top Christian artists are rising up to share original artistic responses to the challenges we are facing as a city and nation. In this virtual concert, they will challenge people to “love thy neighbor,” and inspire us in the action steps we can take forward together in this unprecedented cultural moment.
Featured artists include: Caleb McCoy, Shanell Alyssa, Ada Betsabè, Jen Aldana, Jeany Alcántara, Fugi Acevedo, and Jalen Williams.
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Ride the Vote
Sunday, September 13, 2020, 2 - 5pm
Franklin Park
1 Franklin Park Rd Boston, MA
Roll out for a cause and register to vote! Franklin Park to Nubian Square to the Boston Common Sunday, September 13 (rain date 9/20) 2pm. Contact the Freedom Fighters Coalition on ig @ffcof2020. Join us for our Ride the Vote on Sunday September 13. We will be riding from Franklin Park to Nubian Square to the Boston Common for voting registration and to continue the fight for social justice. At this time we are looking for riders, volunteers, and donations (for snacks, water, etc.) This will be an event for all ages, we encourage everyone to come outside with us and get active. And like always... The people, united, will never be defeated #BlackLivesMatter (Event website: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDcpBhdJNzc/)
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Kids4Peace Boston's Pilot Program Circles of Action
Want to change what's broken in the world, but feeling stuck during the pandemic? Kids4Peace Boston’s new interfaith program, Circles of Action, gives you the chance to get to make a real difference in your community despite the challenges of our COVID-19 world! You and a diverse group of other middle and high schoolers (7th-12th grade) will join Circles that will meet (virtually) throughout the school year (October-April) to learn about a social justice issue of your choice (racial justice or climate justice) and to create an advocacy/lobbying campaign or service project to help address it. Completing the program can award you 80 community service hours, and you will be actively creating positive change in your community while staying safe and gaining the tools you need to continue to be a leader for peace and social justice throughout your life. Deadline to register is September 14th. More information and registration can be found here.
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The Fierce Urgency of Now: Nonviolence or Nonexistence
Monday, September 14, 2020, 6 - 7:30pm
Register today for The King Center’s Nonviolence365® Virtual Training Series, which begins Monday, September 14th at 6pm, with a session facilitated by King Center CEO, Dr. Bernice A. King. Explore nonviolence. Use it for everyday life, for deescalating conflict, for challenging unjust systems, and for building the Beloved Community in every major sector of society, including education, corporate and public safety. We invite you to learn more so that you can apply nonviolence right where you are.
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MIRA's Democracy School is Launching!
Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 6 - 7:30pm
Let’s educate, organize, and mobilize! Whether you’re a young activist just getting started or a seasoned community organizer, Democracy School offers a chance to build your skills, connect with organizers and activists across your region, and tap into current civic engagement campaigns in your communities. Register for your regional training here!
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Virtual Lobby Day: Change the Flag and Seal and Ban Native Mascots!
Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 10am - 12:30pm
Change the Flag and Seal, ban Native Mascots, protect Native heritage Four hundred years after the Pilgrims landed In Plymouth, it is long past time for Massachusetts to begin to reckon with its racist and damaging history with Native Americans. Join this virtual lobby day to call on State Legislators to pass the Indigenous Legislative Agenda. The bill to change the state flag, seal, and motto has unanimously passed the Senate and awaits action in the House. The bills to ban Native American sports mascots in Massachusetts public schools and to preserve Indigenous antiquities await action in both chambers. We will start the lobby day with a briefing from leading activists and legislators. Then, each of us will call our own legislators as well as a list of other legislators to push them to act. When you register, please give us either your address or the names of your rep and senator, so we can plan the calls.
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Mass. Council of Churches Open Office Hours: Church + School Programs
Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 3 - 4pm
Join Mass. Council of Churches staff, pastors, and lay leaders from across the state for open office hours to hear what communities are doing to support public school districts, offer additional space, additional programming, and prioritize care for Black, Immigrant and unhoused students during COVID schooling. Weds , Sept 16 at 3PM. We'll brainstorm, share ideas, resources, best practices and workshop what we're learning and seeing across the Commonwealth.
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Solidarity From Boston: BLM Protest For Jacob Blake
Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 3pm
Boston Common
It's time to end systemic racism, protest with us for racial equality in all facets. We'll meet at the Boston Common at 3PM. If you'd like to volunteer for distributing H2O/PPE/Snacks or marshaling you can sign up here: https://forms.gle/6wdcrjsbbAomNbz79
Our goals for this demonstration are to:
- Express solidarity from Boston and demand justice for Jacob Blake and all victims of systemic racism, wether by the police, the education system, the court system, money lenders, the prison industrial complex or any other fascist aspect of the police state.
- Encourage communities to come together and propose policies to abolish qualified immunity, remove officers with repeat infractions, end the police's ongoing occupation of minority communities and reallocate police funding to the education, health, and livelihood to those who have continually fallen prey to the system.
- Encourage open and honest conversation amongst progressives, and engage in coalition building with local organizations, groups and individuals to provide an easily accessible network of resources for those in need in our communities, as well as for those who wish to get involved.
- Promote unity within the working class and spread awareness of the systemic injustices and fascist activity disproportionately affecting communities of color, the importance of coalition building, communal reliance, and understanding intersectionality
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The Inclusivist’s Life: Championing Inclusion in Networking & Business with Gretchen Cook-Anderson
Thursday, September 17, 2020, 10 - 11am via Zoom
Free for members of the Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce
$5 for nonmembers
Inclusive business environments can only thrive when workplace leaders and entrepreneurs dedicate themselves to seeing, hearing and supporting clients, customers, employees and industry peers of every background.
Let’s dig in and explore where you are on your journey.
How do unconscious biases and microaggressions play out in how you engage with others in business? Are preconceived notions of those around you prohibiting innovation, client/customer growth, the ability of others to succeed, or a more diverse, expansive network or workplace for you and your business? Are you a passive actor in creating inclusion that could enrich who you are and what you do, or are you on a clear path as an active inclusivist?
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Episcopal City Mission's Annual Meeting
Saturday, September 19, 2020, 9am - 12pm
Each year, ECM’s members gather to conduct business and learn how we can better partner in the work of God's transforming love in Massachusetts. This year, despite COVID keeping us physically distant, we will (virtually) gather. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity to worship with one another, share what's happening in your community, get involved in the work of justice through ECM or nearby parishes, and offer feedback about ECM's dynamic strategy. We need you there to gain a more complete picture of how the Spirit is moving in our Diocese and to know how we can be more supportive to your work.
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NYTIMES Events: NETTING ZERO
From Experiment to Everyday: The New Zero-Carbon Normal for Cities
Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 1:30 p.m. E.T. | 10:30 a.m. P.T.
More than 70 cities worldwide have pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050. What are the winning innovations in building materials, energy and mobility? What can be done to ensure that these innovations are spread quickly, more cities are brought into the process, and that zero-carbon goals move forward to 2040, or even 2035?
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Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Housing and Benefits Committee Meeting
Friday, September 25, 2020 10 - 11:30am
Save the date for Housing and Benefits! Please mark your calendar and join us on September 25th. The meeting will take place from 10:00-11:30 a.m. on Zoom.
This month, we will be joined by OneFamily, who will discuss the results of a survey they conducted with their clients to learn about the shorter and longer term impacts that Covid is having on their lives and livelihoods.
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