One of the organizations that I have been involved with for about 17 years now is called “The Ezekiel Project”. It’s an interfaith, interracial congregation-centered community organization that addresses social justice issues and works for systemic change in the Great Lakes Bay Region. It’s led by a board of clergy and lay representatives from our member congregations. We are a part of similar organizations all over the country. It was formed by Bishop Ken Untener and area clergy nearly 30 years ago as a way to respond to racially motivated act of vandalism done to an area church. The mission of Ezekiel is to empower people through organization, relationship building, skill development, education and a belief in transforming communities through advocacy and activism. About two years ago, Vicariate 3 Catholic pastors decided to join Ezekiel as a group. St. John Paul II parish has been a member since then.
I serve on the Executive Board and attend the Religious Leaders meetings as well. Later this month, the Ezekiel Project will be having their annual Public Meeting where they report on what they have done in the past year and what they are currently working on. That meeting will be held Thursday, October 24th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Christ the Good Shepherd Church (St. Helen Site). I would like to invite you to attend so you can learn about the work this organization does and see if you would want to join in helping do that work. Currently, there are five task forces: Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, Educational Justice, Criminal Justice and Health Justice. Please save the date and plan to join us. You’ll be glad you did.
Peace,
Fr. Ron
