Monday, November 4, 2013

Interfaith Accountability Session - Thursday


Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith will host an Accountability Session Thursday, November 7, 7 - 8:30 p.m., at the new Family Life Center at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on 18th St. between Washington and Louisville Avenues.

Members of the Monroe City School Board and our regional representatives to the Louisiana House and Senate will attend. Interfaith will tell stories of our recent successes and present our current slate of priority concerns. These are public education, higher education and mass incarceration, which Interfaith's analysis shows to be deeply interconnected.

Interfaith leaders have met with each of the elected officials in advance to inform them of our agenda and our plan for the meeting. At the Accountability Session, the elected officials will be given an opportunity to take the mic for a brief response and to sign a pledge to work with us in addressing our concerns.

Although the run-off candidates for the 5th District Congressional Seat, Neil Riser and Vance McAllister, will not be present, they will send representatives.
Just as a reminder, Interfaith is strictly nonpartisan. Our purpose is never to "choose sides" or endorse candidates. Rather we seek commitments from public officials to work with us to solve the problems of our communities in ways that enhance the quality of life for everyone.

One exciting new development: Interfaith and the ULM Faculty and Staff Senates have been developing a relationship. The presidents of the two senates will announce the relationship and will speak to the issue of higher education at the session.
Fr. Whit will co-chair the session and Archdeacon Bette will speak to the faith basis of Interfaith's work using the story of Nehemiah from the Hebrew Bible.
Our Bishop has called us to missional faith. Interfaith is a response in that we cross the historical divisions in our community to come together to listen to each and work together for the common good. Come. See! Participate!