Our every other week check-in meeting is open to anyone interested in supporting compassionate community response to our most vulnerable neighbors. Meetings are held online every other Thursday from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Email LeDayne Polaski for Zoom access code. In addition, if you would like to receive notification when these minutes are posted, please email LeDayne and ask to be added to the Thursday meetings email list.
Want to learn more about we do on our calls? Watch this short video clip!
Click HERE to Access Zoom Recording:
In this Issue:
Opening Reflection
Muhammad’s Prayer of Light:
O God, give me light in my heart.
And light in my tongue.
And light in my hearing.
And light in my sight.
And light in my feeling.
And light in all body.
And light before me.
And light behind me.
Give me, I pray, Light on my right hand.
And light on my left hand.
And light above me.
And light beneath me.
O God, increase light within me.
And give me light.
And illuminate me.
1. MeckMIN Updates
CHARLOTTE IDEAS FESTIVAL PANEL ON INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IN CIVIC LIFE
April 3 from 7:30-8:45 pm at Bechtler Museum of Art.
Register in advance.
LAC RESOURCE FAIR FOR NEW ARRIVALS
Saturday, April 15 all day
Diego Torres | integration@mylac.org | 704-941-2544
Immigrant Integration Specialist | Latin American Coalition
We’re teaming up with the Latin American Coalition for another resource fair. This is during the CMS Spring Break so we particularly need volunteers who will still be in town. We have volunteer opportunities to help set up on April 14 and and several available shifts throughout the day on April 15. Sign up HERE
Latin American Coalition is hosting a Resource Fair on April 15th from 10:00 to 3:00pm, for families who have recently arrived in the Charlotte area. They are looking for 62 volunteers to help with setting up, take down and various tasks. Some of those tasks include, registration, manning booths, food and clothes distribution, guiding people around the building, crafts with children and more.
English and Spanish speaking volunteers are welcome.
Volunteers can sign up for one or more shifts from the following times. Contact Diego if you need to adjust the time of your availability:
· 1st shift Set up 9:00 to 10:00
· 2nd Shift on April 15th 10:00 to 1:00
· 3rd Shift on April 15th 1:00 to 3:00
· Take Down on April 15th 3:00 to 4:00
For any additional questions, contact Diego Torres at integration@mylac.org
TEACHERS OF WORLD RELIGIONS GATHERING
Thursday, April 27, 4 to 6 PM | Johnson C. Smith University
If you teach World Religions or a related subject at any level, you're invited to join this gathering. Our goals are simply to get to know one another and to share helpful resources.
Sign up HERE
2023 COMMUNITY LEADER AWARDS BREAKFAST
May 2, 2023 | 7:30 - 9 AM | Covenant Presbyterian Church
This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and your paid ticket supports our work all year to develop understanding, compassionate relationships between people of all faiths, relationships which make possible a robust, coordinated, and effective response to the needs of our community. That said, your attendance means more to us than your gift, and we do understand that many of us are struggling with our finances so we offer tickets on a sliding scale. We hope you'll buy a ticket today and plan to join us. Individual tickets are available here.
We also invite you to join us as an event sponsor. By joining us as a sponsor, you as an individual, congregation, business, or fellow nonprofit can be recognized for supporting our work to foster interfaith cooperation, promote racial and ethnic understanding and address social needs in Mecklenburg County.
Perhaps you are able to step in as the Presenting Sponsor for $5,000 or as one of the two Awards Sponsors for $3,000. Giving at this level will be a HUGE boost to our work and will allow you the opportunity to speak at the event.
We're also seeking Sustaining Sponsors, Table Sponsors, and Half Table Sponsors.
For a full list of sponsorship levels and benefits, click HERE
Whatever sponsorship level makes sense for you, you'll be making possible a robust network of interconnected people and communities supporting one another and serving our neighbors together.
Our awardees this year are:
The Sydnor Thompson, Jr. Community Leader award goes to REV. GLENCIE RHEDRICK. The award goes to a local leader or organization that exemplifies leadership and collaboration across differences in the community, fosters interfaith understanding to promote racial and ethnic understanding, and addresses social needs in the community. Reverend Rhedrick, an ordained Baptist minister, currently serves as an associate minister at First Baptist Church-West, where she leads the Bereavement Ministry and facilitates an engaging weekly adult Bible study class. Reverend Rhedrick is a theoactivist womanist, addressing the issues of unjust experiences and biases which intentionally impact women and the communities of African ascent.
A local and national community activist and organizer, Rev. Rhedrick is the former president of Mecklenburg Ministries (now known as MeckMIN). She is also an active member of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team. Currently, she holds the following positions: Vice President for Mayfield Memorial CDC, Chair of the Social Justice Auxiliary for the United Missionary Baptist Association, Co-Chair for Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice; Vice President and Social Justice Chair for The Charlotte Minister’s Conference, Member of the Board of Directors for the National Jobs for All Coalition, Co-Chair for the John Lewis Voter Motorcade Caravan in Georgia and North Carolina for the Transformative Justice Coalition, Board Member and Secretary for The Reimagining America Project, Chair for Community Outreach Programs for Queen City Ivy & Pearls Foundation, Trainer and Hub Organizer for Arm in Arm, Vice President and Board Member of UMBA Bright Stars, Chair of Connection and Social Justice for Rho Psi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Chaplain for Queen City Ivy & Pearls Foundation of Rho Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and a Board of Director member for The Red Letter Christians.
Rhedrick continues to answer the questions of how we take care of the community. As she works tirelessly to end involuntary homelessness and low wealth which often contributes to the ills that create the conditions we experience.
The Bridge Builder award goes to BECKY SCHISLER. This award recognizes someone who directly promotes one-on-one relationships and bridge building across differences through their actions and daily life.
Becky Schisler is being honored as the 2023 Bridge Builder for her work as the founder and Executive Director of The Coalition for Cultural Compassion (The CCC), a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to driving change within Charlotte communities. Driven by the belief that compassion must involve action, Becky and The CCC board of directors and program volunteers work daily to carry out their mission which aims to bring diverse groups together through educational and social events to promote empathy and dismantle harmful stereotypes as well as to combat systems of oppression through the redistribution of resources and by promoting awareness and understanding of systemically-rooted inequities.
Since 2018, the organization has grown to include a Multicultural Series for Kids, a Book Club featuring authors of color, Small-group Discussion Meet-ups, an annual Black Santa event, and the ever-growing Compassion Closet program that provides clothing and other essential items to anyone in need within the Charlotte region.
Becky is committed to continued learning and self-improvement so she may lead this organization mindfully, centering the voices and needs of marginalized community
members.
FOOD DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF OUR HUNGRY NEIGHBORS
We don’t usually have a food drive in connection with our Awards Breakfast, but the current need in our community is dire and so we’re partnering with Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays and asking you to consider bringing non-perishable foods with you to donate at the event.
Last year, Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays provided groceries to over 106,000 neighbors in Mecklenburg Co., a 38% increase. Half were children and seniors.
On the heels that 2022 explosion in food insecurity, January and February 2023 saw their highest totals in their 48 year history. And now they are bracing for an even greater rise in need. As of March 1, families and individuals who are recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) saw a decrease of at least $95 a month. We know that these cuts, coming in the midst of already-unprecedented need, are creating a crisis that will demand the generous support of our entire community.
As you come to enjoy a delicious breakfast in good company, please consider bringing some of these most-needed items: Priority Needs.
We also encourage you to host your own food drive: Food Drive Registration Form.
Together, we can keep food on our neighbor's tables.
MeckMIN SERVICE PROJECT AT HOSPITALITY HOUSE May 6
OPERATION SANDWICH YOUTH EVENT - May 7
The MeckMIN Youth committee is hosting an Operation Sandwich service project for middle and high school youth May 7.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR OPEN TABLES - June 15
Next MeckMIN Open Tables will be June 15. These dinner dialogue events are open to all adults interested in having respectful conversations across differences.
OPEN HOUSE IFTAR April 8
Qaiser Toqeer, MD MPH | qaiser1025@gmail.com | 336-776-7679
Attending Neurology Physician
Join us as we break away fast together, learn about Ramadan and bring a friend along for an open house Iftar on Saturday, April 8. This is an effort being put on by the American Islamic Outreach Foundation and will be hosted at Muslim Education Center (MEC), 4301 Shamrock Dr. Charlotte, NC 28215.
Register HERE
Feel free to share this invitation with friends and family. We want to invite as many members of the greater Charlotte community as possible.
April 15
Erkam Adiguzel | erkamadiguzel@gmail.com
The Turkish Divan Center invites all to celebrate Ramadan on Saturday, April 15 at at Caldwell Presbyterian Church
LOOKING FOR A VOLUNTEER TO UPDATE HOUSING LIST
We need a volunteer to update the list of housing organizations listed in our website. This is a remote opportunity that would involve reaching out to each organization listed to make sure that the information we have is correct. If you are interested, contact LeDayne.
2. Non-Profit Updates
CHARLOTTE CENTER FOR MINDFULNESS NEEDS A NEW HOME
Lindsay Bridges, MD | lbridges@ccmindful.org | www.ccmindful.org
2 upcoming courses: Intro to Mindfulness and Mindfulness-Based Habit Change, both starting next week. Info and sign up on the website.
Our on-going Community Drop In groups, Tues evenings 7:15 PM and Wed mornings 9:30AM
Our need for a new space by mid June. Open room preferably with windows 1100sq ft +
FBI HATE CRIMES
Stacie Ward | skward@fbi.gov
-The #’s are UP but that may be because more people are reporting
-If you’re ever not sure about reporting – please report
-Community Engagement Meeting April 20 – opportunity for folks to connect and learn about what’s going on
If you or any other member would like to have the FBI speak to a broader group at their respective places of worship, I ask that I serve as the POC and they reach out to me directly. I’ll coordinate all presentations with SAC DeWitt and FBI personnel.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERFAITH BUILD STARTS April 22
Crista Ray | Cray@habitatcltregion.org | 980.859.5573
Partnerships and Faith Relations Senior Specialist
Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region | http://www.habitatcltregion.org
Habitat Charlotte Region is getting ready to kick off its’ 2nd Annual Building on Faith Interfaith House. This home will be built in Habitat Charlotte Region’s 39 home community, Meadows at Plato Price. Named for the Plato Price school, the Meadows at Plato Price will sit in a historically significant area of west Charlotte. Plato Price School closed in the 1960s when desegregation took hold, and the land lay vacant until the City of Charlotte donated it to Habitat in 2018. This home will be built with interfaith volunteers and after construction is complete a family will purchase the home with a right-sized mortgage to fit their budget.
The home was generously sponsored by a family from one of our Faith partners and construction kicks off this weekend. We still have volunteer spots available in April, May, and June and would love to engage with this community to fill all of those slots. Our hope is to have members of different faith communities represented each day. Habitat provides all of the necessary training, supervision, tools, and safety equipment. Our construction teams are equipped to engage all skills levels so we’d love to have you out whether you have volunteered with us in the past or not.
To find the schedule of available volunteer shifts visit:
1. Visit the group search page: https://habitatcltvolunteers.force.com/apex/VolunteerGroupSearch
2. Search group number: 7331
3. Select: Interfaith Volunteer Team
4. Search for shifts; simply press ‘search’ button (no need to enter dates or location)*
5. Check desired shift(s) and click select
6. Log in to an existing account or create a new one
After completing the registration, the shift and details will appear on the volunteer’s account. An automated confirmation email with full shift details will be sent to each registrant. A reminder email will also be sent.
If you have any questions about registering please reach out to Crista Ray at Cray@habitatcltregion.org
-Slots available for April, May, and June
-Habitat provides all supplies, safety equipment & is open for any level of skill volunteers
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESOURCES & NEEDS
Chelsea Helton | Chelsea.Helton@charlottenc.gov
Emergency Management Planner
Elaney Katsafanas | elaney.katsafanas@charlottenc.gov
Emergency Management Planner
500 Dalton Avenue Charlotte, North Carolina 28206
Our on call number is monitored 24/7 and the number is 704-336-2412.
Coordinate multi agencies & efforts so we can all work together
We are here to support the community
If you have a need please reach out
Task Force coordinating groups working with people newly arrived from Southern Mexican border – reach out to Chelsea if you want to join the Task Force
DEPRESSION OUT OF THE DARKNESS & INTO THE LIGHT – Matthews UMC
Monica Aquilera | monica28270@gmail.com
Hope For Hearts & Minds Ministry at Matthews UMC
-Free lunch & presentation by Dr. Hale on May 7
NON-PROFIT RESOURCES AT THE LIBRARY
Christina Dooley, MLIS | cdooley@cmlibrary.org
Librarian, Nonprofit Team Lead | Charlotte Mecklenburg Library | University City Regional
Support the NON-PROFIT community
Provide access & training on non-profit subscription databases (these are very expensive for an individual nonprofit to subscribe to)
Help NP grants writing
Upcoming Program: Sept 23 – In partnership with the Foundation For The Carolinas – Trust Based Philanthropy
ONE SPIRIT INTERFAITH SEMINARY SEEKS DIRECTOR
Rev. Mimi Sherman | mimi.sherman@gmx.com | 704-252-3551
One Spirit Interfaith/Inter-Spiritual Seminary | www.breathe-mindfulness.com
One Spirit is interviewing candidates for the position of Director of the Interfaith Seminary Program. Applications are open until 9 a.m. April 3rd.
-The Seminary Program is a Rigorous, transformational experience,
-The seminary is a global organization, with a diverse student body, various backgrounds.
One Spirit in New York City website link which contains complete information regarding the entire organization
If there are questions I cannot answer I encourage people to contact the CEO of One Spirit. Her name is Ilene Sameth and this is her email address: ilene@1spirit.org
I can’t say enough about the quality of education offered by One Spirit. The organization is a leader in the interfaith/inter-spiritual space.
OTHERS ON THE CALL (as time allows)
PROM CLOTHES DRIVE AT NORTHWEST SCHOOL OF ARTS
Either donate or shop
RSS NEEDS YOUR EGG CARTONS
Each week, RSS distributes 180 dozen eggs in partnership with our friends at Society of St. Andrew through our Park & Pick Market program.
We ask that program participants bring back their cartons as often as possible but each carton only lasts a few returns before they start to fall apart.
Is your group interested in running a collection for egg cartons? Our stock is running very low and we are in need of as many as we can get in the next few weeks. Please contact Food & Community Info Coordinator Jonathan Lee jonathanlee@refugeesupportservices.org to schedule a time for drop off to our center.
Or if it is more convenient, feel free to drop cartons off at the MeckMIN office located at Park Road Baptist Church, 3900 Park Road. We'll have an outdoor container available April 1-16.
MEDASSIST IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS THIS SATURDAY
Andria Tindall | atindall@medassist.org
MedAssist is looking for volunteers this Saturday, two-hour shifts, 9-11am and 11 am-1pm. Trying to open store again on Monday. Please email Andria Tindall at atindall@medassist.org
Sign up to volunteer HERE
3. General Information
WELCOME HOUSE EVENT
The CBFNC Hospitality and Housing Summit Saturday, April 29th at Trinity BC Raleigh is the first time we’re asking the churches across North Carolina to come together since establishing the Welcome House Community Network in 2020. There are 50 churches doing housing programs at this time and many others seeking to get started in the near future.
PARTICIPATE IN A STUDY ABOUT HOUSING IN NC RE-ENTERING IN CORPORATE LANDLORD HOUSING
Participants will receive a $45 e-gift card to Amazon in appreciation of their time.
How have you experienced renting from your current landlord?
What improvements do you wish could be made?
What are your goals for owning a home and what barriers have you faced? Part of Action NC's mission is to push for policies that extend protections for renters. Action NC has partnered with UNC Charlotte to learn more about the challenges tenants living in corporate landlord housing may experience.
Researchers from UNC Charlotte’s Department of Geography and Earth Sciences are conducting a 60-minute interview about your experiences renting in corporate landlord housing. This research is completely voluntary and anonymous.
We would like to gather your stories detailing your experiences living in corporate landlord housing, focusing on what led you to live in your community and the challenges you may have or have not faced in renting where you currently rent.
This information will be used to inform future housing policy in Charlotte with a focus on how those policies can better serve residents living in corporate landlord housing. Participants will receive a $45 e-gift card to Amazon in appreciation of their time.
We plan to develop a report of our findings and invite you to a presentation. Dinner provided. Register here in advance May 2023.
If you would be interested in participating in an interview, please contact the research team by email at mzuniga@uncc.edu | jessica@actionnc.org
980.339.9139
Considering renters that rent from the following corporate landlords: Progress Residential, Tricon Residential, American Homes 4 Rent, firstkey, Invitation homes, MAA, Greystar, My Community Homes, Amherst Residential, Front Yard Residential, AALTO INVEST UK, RS Rental, YAMASA, Homes Partners of America, Starwood Property Trust, Sylvan Road Capital, Brookfield Asset Management, Hudson Capital Properties, New Residential Investment, SFR3 Fund, Sparrow, etc.
THE STRING TIME DUO AT WEDGEWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
Wedgewood is so excited to announce that we are hosting a concert by internationally acclaimed musicians of The String Time Duo (Marina Alexandra and Angela Reed) on Saturday, April 29th at 7:00 in the Enclave. Tickets for the event are regularly priced at $30. Tickets will be sold until we sell out. Purchase tickets HERE
This is a presale and no tickets will be sold at the door. Seating is first come, first serve basis. A part of the proceeds will go to help the Ukraine. Don't miss this great opportunity to hear these outstanding international musicians at Wedgewood! The concert is titled "Musical Voyage" and will present music by composers from Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and North America. String Time Duo was formed in 2021, by award-winning musicians Angelina Reed (domra) and Marina Alexandra (guitar). Playing a variety of world and classical music, the duo is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
JOB OPPORTUNITY AT CALDWELL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
25-hr/week, hourly Facility/Property Manager
Caldwell is looking for a 25-hr/week, hourly Facility/Property Manager - a blend of MOSTLY managing our service vendors and picking up a mop or moving some chairs when needed. Mostly it's managing and working with the Business Manager for proper billing, etc. Works alongside our part-time Event Coordinator who shares our Hope Hall with the city.
Please consider whether you know of someone that might suit. It's the first time we have broken this job out as stand alone so we are not definitive at this point but we think this is mostly a weekday role. This role is for the buildings the church uses vs the one we will share to create permanent supportive housing. Experience is a big plus but maturity, professionalism and reliability are the main things.
See job description HERE
Interviewing after Easter.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STRATEGIC PLAN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS
DANGEROUS DIALOGUES SERIES: THE UNJUSTICE OF THE UNHOUSED
Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation for March Dangerous Dialogue Register now for the fourth conversation in the Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation’s Dangerous Dialogue virtual series, “The Injustice of the Unhoused”. As we look at the current crisis of the unhoused in Charlotte, North Carolina, what is the responsibility of the communities of faith to provide relief? How do we help to alleviate the suffering of so many who have been thrust out on the streets? Are we primarily beholden to the codes of the city or to the call of Christ as we seek to meet immediate pressing needs? What happens when these mandates are at odds? Please join us for a conversation with three local leaders, “When Christ and Code Collide: Roadblocks to Housing the Unhoused”. Help us to discern together, where we as the people of God need to be, and what we need to do to ensure that we are faithful to God’s command to “bring the homeless poor into your house” (Is 58:7).
Register HERE
PRAYER FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS
Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations, that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other. If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things. And the servants of God, Most Gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say, “PEACE.” (Based on the Qur'an 49:13, 8:61)
Next meeting – TWO weeks from today – Thursday, April 13th at 11 AM