Faith community leaders and decision-makers were invited to listen, learn, and discuss the redevelopment potential of their properties. Faith communities with excess land, underutilized structures, or declining income will have the opportunity to imagine new possibilities while continuing to serve their members.

Presentations

• Montgomery Planning Department (00:06:54 – 00:19:54)
• Arlington House Corporation & Habitat for Humanity
  (00:22:33 – 00:33:54)
• Bozzuto (00:34:16 – 00:45:00)
• MainStreet Partners (00:45:13 – 00:57:20)
• Neighborhood Development Company (00:57:33 – 01:06:45)

Q&A

– 01:08:45 – 01:20:40

Faith community leaders and decision-makers are invited to listen, learn, and discuss the redevelopment potential of their properties. Faith communities with excess land, underutilized structures, or declining income will have the opportunity to imagine new possibilities while continuing to serve their members.

Guest speaker:

Robert A. Kronenberg, Deputy Director, Montgomery County Planning Department

Get an overview of the county’s planning process, the status of the Thrive Montgomery 2050 master plan, and the importance of community involvement in the process.

Forum panel participants:

• Arlington Housing Corporation (AHC) / Habitat for Humanity
• Bozzuto Development Company
• Main Street Partners
• Neighborhood Development Company

Stretch your imagination as you listen to experienced developers explore ideas for faith-based properties, including affordable or senior housing units, and mixed-use development.

Register here to receive the link for this free online forum

Watch the Town Hall

Engage with leadership from the county public school system and faith communities in a conversation on the status of virtual only learning in MCPS.

SPEAKERS

Rev. Kasey Kaseman

Superintendent Jack Smith

Mr. Everett Davis (MCPS Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement)

Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky

Dr. Richa Agarwala

and more

All faith traditions attest to justice and equality for everyone in our human family.  Yet worship services are often segregated and faith leaders struggle with how to create a more inclusive and equitable Montgomery County.  
On Thursday, August 13, 4-5:30 pm, four faith leaders defined the meaning of racial equity and describe how their faith communities are dealing with systemic racism and working with others toward achieving racial equity.

View the recording here
Password: d0xMZNA= 

Opening Remarks Transcripts

Click here to read the Faith Community Advisory Council’s Statement on Racism and find resources to combat racism.

We have added Census 2020 & COVID-19 to the menu bar above that will lead you to resources.

Children of the Dream was the theme for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Tribute at the Music Center at Strathmore. Invocations were offered by Yuraj Singh, Aviva Bechky and Ricardine Gray representing the Sikh, Jewish and Christian faiths. The County Executive, all Councilmembers, Chair of the MCPS Board, and Rep. Jamie Raskin addressed the assembly. Wisdom Alexander Martin and his son, Wisdom, served as emcees.

Inspiring entertainment was provided by the Strathmore Childfen’s Chorus, Dem’ Raider Boys, Ronnie Diamond Hoard, Story Tapestries, Akhmedova Ballet, Kelvin Dukes and the Dre3am Choir. Special credit is due the Commemorative Committee headed by Julian Norment, Martin Rookard and James Stowe.

It was an awesome celebration of Dr. King whose continuing legacy was evident in over 5,000 volunteers working in five community service sites throughout the day.

Click here to view more photos

Dear Faithful Friends,

I’m truly grateful for the increasing companionship of people embracing everyone as a member of our human family and working together in ways that offer hope laced with thanks-giving.

• I’m thinking of those leading and attending interfaith thanksgiving services throughout Montgomery County, and those volunteering to serve as many as 1,000 meals in a day to our hungry neighbors,
• I’m thinking of those rallying in support of our Muslim friends observing Eid Al-Fitr, and the College Board honoring that by offering an alternative day for testing, and MCPS being closed. 
• I’m thinking of those working on climate solutions, and those participating in “Candid Conversations on Race”, for facing their racism and achieving greater equity in Montgomery County.
• I’m thinking of those introducing refugee families to our Thanksgiving holiday, and those on call for responding to acts of hate and violence, as well as all forms of emergencies. 

The list could go on and on thanks to increasing numbers of people reaching out beyond their comfort zones, crossing lines of differences, and discovering kindred spirits.  I am grateful for every one of you, and for your contribution to Montgomery County’s enhanced sense of community, security and resilience.

My greatest sense of gratitude, however, lies with the Holy One who goes by many names, and yet is beyond them all.  The One in whom we live, and move, and have our being.   The One who loves us unconditionally, has created us with a divine spark and called us to love one another as we love ourselves.

I encourage each of us to take some time during this Thanksgiving Season to be silent, to connect with the source of all life and love, and be grateful for the difference it makes in keeping us whole.  Facing the confusion, conflict and corruption of our time by ourselves can leave us fearful, numb and helpless.  Grounded in divine love, our hearts can be open to the needs and aspirations of our world. 

I give thanks for the company of all whose hearts are open, and whose faith in action offers hope and good reason for being thankful.

Gratefully,

Kasey

The 2019 Montgomery County Unity Walk on the Highway to Heaven celebrated the richness of our divine diversity and demonstrated the value of collaboration among government, nonprofits and faith communities.

The Resource Fair featured benefits offered by 20 organizations. The Opening Ceremony included an instrumental Call to Prayer by 5 faith traditions, remarks by
County Executive, Marc Elrich, and County Council VP, Sidney Katz; and Sara Curtin, of the Strathmore for the Arts Bloom program, inspired everyone to feel as one community through singing together.

Touring Houses of Worship, with Ride On bus service, included the Chinmaya Mission and a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for their Meditation Path, Beth Chai and Am Kolel hosting people in their Sukkah, Peoples Community Baptist Church featuring Gospel Singing, Muslim Community Center featuring their mosque and Health Clinic, First Alliance Church featuring their community services and multinational congregation, Cambodian Buddhist Temple illustrating the life of Buddha, and Transfiguration Episcopal Church demonstrating their multicultural community and mission.

On Monday, October 28, 2019 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Silver Spring Civic Building learn how our racialized society affects all people. Multiple book groups and a film discussion group, located throughout the county, based on books chosen to raise awareness of racism and white privilege meeting 4-5 times in the Fall & Winter. Participants MUST purchase their own copy of the book they select.

Register Here

Flyer: Candid Conversations on Race