Elgin church continues 'Live Love' symposium Jan. 14
First Congregational Church of Elgin invites the community to the "Live Love, Stop Hate Symposium and Dinner" from 5 to 7 p.m. Sundays through February at the church, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. It will feature a free dinner and keynote speaker as you can learn more about the issues that face your neighbors and put your faith into action through understanding and love.
On Jan. 14, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond of Second Baptist Church of Elgin will speak on "Civil Rights in America: Where Do We Go From Here?" America has made great progress over the years with civil rights. Rev. Edmonds is a product of the civil rights movement of the 1960s in Birmingham and has witnessed many changes. He believes we must not allow that progress to be stifled, reversed or hindered, nor can we allow personal insecurities divide and separate our great nation. He believes we must move forward with an understanding that "God is still on the throne" and loves all people unconditionally.
On Jan. 21, Rabbi Margaret Frisch-Klein of Congregation Kneseth Israel in Elgin will talk about "anti-Semitism Increases in 2017." Attacks against Jews have become much more frequent since August, when a group of white supremacists took to the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia. The number of anti-Semitic incidents increased throughout 2017, but the biggest jump was right after Charlottesville, when the number of attacks increased by 182 percent, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
It will be followed on Jan. 28 by Lark Cowart, Kane County Assistant State's Attorney, speaking on "Anti-bullying and Online Civility for Adults;"on Feb. 11 with Kareem M. Irfan, past president of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, talking about "Forging Unified Action From America's Diversity of Faiths;" on Feb. 18 with John Knight, director of the LGBT & HIV Project at the American Civil Liberties Union-Illinois, asking "Why Are Transgender People Still Having to Fight for Their Lives?"; and on Feb. 25 with Kim Snoddy, senior manager of Cosponsorship & Housing at RefugeeOne, and client Mira Jan Darwish discussing "Open Immigration with Closed Borders." Donations will be accepted and encouraged. Reservations are required; there is a 100-person maximum. To register, call the church office at (847) 741-4045 or visit the Eventbrite.com event page.
Dinner begins at 5 p.m. The Rev. Paris Donehoo will introduce the speaker at 5:30 p.m., with the presentation at 5:35 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a question-and-answer period and open discussion.
To learn more, visit www.fcc-elgin.org.