The church is at the center of many communities: It is a center for socialization and fellowship, a meeting place, and a safe harbor. As evidenced by the recent Charleston victims vigil at Bloomington's Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church and local churches that have made a special effort to welcome LGBT individuals, it can provide a connecting point for social reform and unity. Religious perceptions also can reinforce biases, prejudices, and even policies against other cultures, faiths, and lifestyle communities.
Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal's new Faith and Outreach Committee is designed to work with the Twin Cities faith-based community toward the goals and spirit of Not In Our Town while allowing an opportunity for all faiths to come together to share with one another while respecting the ideas of "a safe and inclusion community."
"We believe that by standing up against racism, discrimination, and bullying we establish a community standard that we should treat everyone with respect," Chairperson Willie Holton Halbert maintains. "We understand that we are all one nation with liberty and justice for all. These ideas have been shared since Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal started with our first Rally Against Racism July 13, 1996."
The committee tentatively will meet within the next two weeks. If you are interested in serving on or working with the committee, contact Halbert at dime54@aol.com.