Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County

Book Study: “The Book of Joy” by the Dali Lama and Desmond Tutu
2021-05-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2021-05-26 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Detroit)
The Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County invites you to a three-week book discussion of The Book of Joy, co-authored by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dali Lama. These two men are among the most respected spiritual leaders of the 21st century. In an intimate discussion, they help us learn to experience sustainable joy even amidst pain and confusion.
In a series of three virtual evening discussions, we will consider concepts shared in their best selling book. It’s not necessary to have previously read the book before coming, but it will enrich your perspective.
This book discussion series will be led by Dwight L. Wilson, IRT Board Member and former Co-Director. We look forward to having you join us.
To join us, please register here. When you register, the Zoom information will be sent to your address. You can join us by video or by phone. The same Zoom link and phone numbers will be repeated for all three weeks.

Tea Time with IRT Director Renee Roederer
2021-08-10 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Detroit)
We invite you to join us for a virtual tea time on Tuesday, August 10 from 1:00-2:00pm. This will be a Q&A time with IRT Director Renee Roederer. We can learn about the upcoming IRT program year together, chat about current and local events, and you can ask her get-to-know-you questions. Feel free to bring coffee, tea, lemonade, snacks, or anything you’d like for this virtual, afternoon conversation.
We will meet over Zoom. You can register here to join us.

Day Forum: Holding Compassionate Space for Divisive Conversations
2021-08-17 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
In our IRT mission statement, we say, “The Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County is a spiritually based alliance of people from across the spectrum of faith who come together to address our commonalities and explore issues with the potential to be divisive.” How are we invited to hold space compassionately while discussing conversational or divisive topics? What best practices can guide us?
On the third Tuesday of each month, we hold our Day Forum. This is an invitation for community members to come together during the lunch hour for connection, friendship, and interfaith dialogue. In later months, we anticipate meeting in person, but for now, we will meet over Zoom.
You can register here to join us.

Parkluck: Southeast Area Park
2021-08-26 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | Southeast Area Park, 2901 E. Elsworth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Welcome to our Parkluck series! Over the next couple of months, we will have occasions to meet neighbors around shared tables at local parks as we share a vegetarian potluck meal. Please RSVP at the link below, and IRT Director Renee Roederer will get in touch with you to see what you would like to bring to share. We request that all food be vegetarian, and please label your ingredients in case there are allergies or religious dietary needs. We’ll eat in areas that have picnic tables, but if you would like to bring your own outdoor chairs, we invite that as well.
Please wear a mask if you are unvaccinated except while eating. Masks are not required for unvaccinated participants, though some may want to wear them if that makes the event more safe, accessible, or comfortable for them. Friends are welcome too!

Tea Time with Benjamin Hollenbach
2021-09-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Detroit)
We invite you to join us for a virtual tea time on Wednesday, September 15 from 1:00-2:00pm with anthropologist and Ph.D candidate Benjamin Hollenbach. We will learn about their research on LGBTQIA+ inclusion in mainline protestant congregations and also get to know Ben along with their thoughts, hobbies, and interests. Feel free to bring coffee, tea, lemonade, snacks, or anything you’d like for this virtual, afternoon conversation!
Benjamin T. Hollenbach (he/they) is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Michigan. Benjamin earned a B.A. in anthropology and classics at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Benjamin’s research focuses on religion, with a particular emphasis on contemporary Christianity in the United States and LGBTQ+ representation within Christian groups. By focusing on how people of faith determine which behaviors promote greater equity, Benjamin’s dissertation examines the ways in which progressive Christian congregations shape and influence queer politics in the United States. Conversely, Benjamin also examines the ways queer Christians actively construct queer religiosities, and shape the religious institutions to which they belong. In their spare time, Benjamin (or Ben) enjoys going to art museums and watching Joan Crawford movies.

IRT's Day Forum: Generational Faithfulness
2021-09-28 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
When you ponder the chain of generations before you and after you, what sorts of themes have shaped their spiritual lives and the ways they make meaning? How does your worldview differ from those who are younger than you? Or those who are older than you? Or those who exist in your own generational cohort? And what commonalities and distinctions can you find?
We will meet for an interspiritual discussion around these themes on Tuesday, September 28 from 11:45am-1:00pm.

Tea Time with Dwight L. Wilson and Sandra Xenakis
2021-10-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Detroit)
We invite you to join us for a virtual tea time on Tuesday, October 12 from 1:00-2:00pm with Dwight L. Wilson and Sandra Xenakis. Along with the whole People Addressing Racism community in Saline, they participated in writing a Position Paper on Reparations for Black Americans. What are some of the most significant convictions and actions shared within that position paper? Why is this a vital topic? What did it feel like to draft such a paper and to do it in a multi-racial, community setting? Feel free to bring coffee, tea, lemonade, snacks, or anything you’d like for this virtual, afternoon conversation!
Please register at the link below.

Climate Crisis: Global Multi-Religious Day of Action
2021-10-18 11:30 (America/Detroit) | Blake Transit Center, William Street and S. 4th Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
The Board of IRT invites you to participate in a multi-religious direct action event, initiated and organized by the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting. We are invited to gather together at 11:30am at the Blake Transit Center (William Street and S. 4th Avenue in Ann Arbor). Then we will walk over to Chase Bank to deliver letters to the CEO of JP Morgan Chase, asking him to lead Chase in divesting from fossil fuels and financing renewable energy businesses. This is part of an international witness by people of faith called together by Greenfaith Int’l to make visible the climate concerns of faith communities. If you cannot make it at 11:30am, you can also meet us at Chase Bank (125 S. Main St). We invite clergy to wear religious attire.

*IN PERSON!* Day Forum: A Celebration of Welcome
2021-10-19 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, United States
Please join us for our monthly Day Forum — this time, outside and in person! On Tuesday, October 19 from 11:45am-1:00pm, IRT will meet together for cakes and a variety of snacks in the outdoor pavilion and picnic area at Zion Lutheran Church (1501 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103). We will welcome the presence of one another and also invite new clergy and friends to Washtenaw County and to IRT. We ask that unvaccinated people wear masks, and vaccinated people are welcome to wear them too if that adds more access and welcome. We will not require them outside or while eating, but we will have space to spread apart.
The pavillion and picnic area are behind the church building. Please drive around to the back. Parking extends right to this area. If you have yard chairs you can bring, please do that. We also have some picnic tables available.
*If there’s a high chance of rain, we will reschedule.*
If you plan on attending, please RSVP with a reply to roederer@umich.edu.

An Interfaith Celebration of Thanks: Joyful Perseverance
2021-11-21 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Detroit)
Due to high COVID and flu numbers in Washtenaw County, we are pivoting our event to be on Zoom ONLY at 7pm.
Please register for the event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkcuiqqT8tE9bpueCjgQAhBugG3WNZItn2
For 27 years, the Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County has offered a Celebration of Thanks event as an ideal time for people of faith and conscience to come together and show appreciation for our blessings. This year, we will gather on Zoom to reflect upon the theme, “Joyful Perseverance.”
As a community of spiritually oriented people, we will give thanks with music, interfaith conversation, and spoken reflections. We will also encourage people to give to a collective offering: Half of the proceeds will support the Back Door Food Pantry, and the other half will support the mission of IRT.
Register here for the Zoom link.

The Commitment to Peacemaking: A January 6 Interview with Carson Smith
2022-01-06 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Detroit)
IRT invites you to a virtual interview with Carson Smith to discuss the spiritual practice and personal commitment to peacemaking. On January 6, we will reach the one year anniversary of the insurrection. We know that we live in a time of great division in our nation and around the world. How are we called to peacemaking — the deep work of upholding vulnerable people as we promote safety and collective flourishing?
Carson Smith grew up in Flushing, Michigan and is a graduate of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. During his college years, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor where he maintains many friendships. After commencement, he spent a year living in Colombia as part of the Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). During that time, he built relationships in a rural community, learned about land rights, and explored the history and present conditions around the Colombian Peace Accords. Then he spent an additional YAV year working at the Presbyterian Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Additionally, he has spent time in Palestine as an accompanier, learning about the conflicts in Israel and Palestine while accompanying children and adults as they walk to work, school, and community events.
Now Carson Smith is a law student at the University of Texas, and he is exploring how law can be a crucial component in peacemaking. We will hear how he is reflecting on questions of peacemaking through his studies. For the first hour of our time together, Renee Roederer will interview him, and in the following half hour, we will have a time of Q&A.
Please join us by registering at this link below:
Zoom Registration for Interview with Carson Smith

Day Forum: 2022's Most Pressing Needs
2022-01-18 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
What are the most pressing issues of the 21st century? In response to these needs, what values do you want to live? How do you plan to get involved in addressing these needs in 2022? We invite you to join IRT for our Day Forum where we will discuss these questions over the lunch hour. This conversation will be facilitated by Dwight L. Wilson, Board Chair for IRT.
Please join us by registering at this link below:
Zoom Registration for Day Forum: 2022’s Most Pressing Needs

Climate Justice: Building Congregational Coalitions
2022-02-10 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Detroit)
The Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County invites you to a community discussion about climate justice as we interview Peggy Daub and Richard Tucker. In preparation for the 2021 Glasgow Climate Change Conference, Peggy Daub, Richard Tucker, and additional community members of the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting organized an interfaith coalition this summer to march to Chase Bank, demanding that the institution divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy. How can we organize coalitions of congregations in this work? How do our spiritual traditions encourage us to protect the natural world and one another?
Please join us for this important conversation. To attend, you can register below:
Climate Justice: Building Congregational Coalitions

Day Forum: Considering the Place of Prayer in the Modern World
2022-02-15 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
The Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County invites you to an interspiritual dialogue about the place of prayer in the modern world. Together, during the lunch hour, we will explore vital questions together: What role does prayer play in your life, and what forms can it take? How do you practice prayer personally or communally? Does prayer impact our own relationship to the modern world, and if so, how?
We invite you to this meaningful conversation. If you’d like to join us, you can register at the link below:
Day Forum: Considering the Place of Prayer in the Modern World

Day Forum: Caring for Community Trauma
2022-03-15 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
The Interfaith Round Table invites you to an interspiritual dialogue concerning community care in times of collective trauma. We are entering our third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of this time, all lives have been disrupted and some have been unended. How do we care for grief and loss on a massive scale? And how do we provide trauma-informed care during this pandemic alongside experiences of racism, violence, climate crisis disasters, and more? During this time, we will explore such questions and consider the ways we’ve received care ourselves.
We invite you to this meaningful conversation. If you’d like to join us, you can register at the link below:
Day Forum: Caring for Community Trauma

Day Forum: From 'Place to Purpose' — Environmentalism and Climate Justice
2022-04-19 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
The Interfaith Round Table invites you to an interspiritual dialogue concerning environmentalism and climate justice. As we near the celebration of Earth Day, how do your spiritual traditions honor the concept of sacred place, and how does that impact your work toward climate care? Which places in our world or in your upbringing provide you with a larger sense of purpose, and how is that informing your work in caring for the earth?
We invite you to this meaningful conversation. If you’d like to join us, you can register at the link below:
Day Forum: From ‘Place to Purpose’ — Environmentalism and Climate Justice

Day Forum: Discussing Modern Psalms
2022-05-17 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
The Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County invites you to an interspiritual discussion of modern psalms with Dwight L. Wilson, Board Chair of IRT. Among his other writings, Dwight is the author of Modern Psalms in Search of Peace and Justice and Modern Psalms of Solace and Resistance. How can poetry and reflective writings bring us into closer relationship and alignment with the sacred?
We invite you to this meaningful conversation. If you’d like to join us, you can register at the link below:
Day Forum: Discussing Modern Psalms

Day Forum: Beloved, Sacred Texts — Sharing and Listening
2022-06-21 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
The Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County invites you to an interspiritual time of sharing over sacred texts. Each person is invited to bring a sacred text from their congregation, community, or personal life. We will share these with one another, listen, and build mutual appreciation. How might we learn from ancient wisdom and modern reflections? And how can we find distinctive themes and shared values?
We invite you to this meaningful conversation. If you’d like to join us, you can register at the link below:
Day Forum: Beloved, Sacred Texts — Sharing and Listening

Day Forum: Who Taught You that You Are Loved?
2022-07-19 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
The Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County invites you to an interspiritual discussion around this reflective question: “Who taught you that you are loved?” Which individuals and communities mirrored your worth and dignity to you? How did they convey that you were loveable, worth loving, and a person who is capable of expressing love? Together, during the lunch hour, we will share stories about these important sources of identity and care.
We invite you to this meaningful conversation. If you’d like to join us, you can register at the link below:
Day Forum: Who Taught You that You Are Loved?

Gun Violence in America
2022-08-07 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Detroit) | Online
What is the role of the faith communities in addressing gun violence? What factors have contributed to the rise in gun violence in the U.S. over the past years? What are faith communities and interfaith alliances doing, and what can be done to prevent gun violence? Join us for a Zoom conversation for this guided discussion.
Speakers
• Vicki Schroede: Lead Advisor – Gun Safety and Lead Organizer, Episcopalians for Social Justice. Interfaith Action of SW MI
• Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mahmudi Imam/Resident Scholar- Muslim Community of Ann Arbor –
• Pastor Melody Geddis McFadden- Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action
Read speakers bios and Register here: https://bit.ly/gun-violence-in-america

The Intersection of Justice and Faith: What do the diverse religions say about justice?
2022-08-21 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Detroit) | Online
Join us to explore the intersection of justice and faith in a few religions. How do we define “justice” in our faith, and “how will it determine our work to achieve it”?
Speakers
• Rabbi Dr. Maggid Chava Bahle<
• Rev. Keith Koebel
• Dr. Zahid H. Bukhari
Read speakers bios and Register here: https://bit.ly/justice-and-faith

International Day of Peace
2022-09-18 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
International Day of Peace: SEPTEMBER 18, 3:00- 4:30 pm EST (Zoom)
Guest Speaker: Peter Dougherty
Theme: Active, courageous nonviolence is the only way to end racism and build peace
Nonviolence is first of all the force within us that develops through hard work. It is an inner transformation from fear, trauma, and violence, to wholeness – loving relationships with all people and all things, that force is needed to build movements with strategies and tactics to confront and end racism
International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on September 21 and was established in 1981 by Resolution 36/37. The United Nations General Assembly declared this day “as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations’ peoples.” The theme for this year’s International Day of Peace is “End racism.Build peace”
Meet the Speaker: Peter Dougherty is a founder and a Core Member of Meta Peace Team (MPT). He is a Catholic priest of the diocese of Lansing, MI. Peter has been involved in full-time peacemaking for over 40 years. He co-founded many nonviolent action organizations for social change and has been arrested and jailed many times for nonviolent civil resistance actions, most often to end the madness of nuclear weapons and war. Since the founding of Meta Peace Team in 1993, He continues to be an MPT speaker, nonviolence trainer, and organizer of Domestic and International peace teams providing unarmed civilian protection/protective accompaniment. He has been on peace teams in Bosnia, Palestine (Gaza and the West Bank), Iraq, Croatia, Haiti, Chiapas México, and the U.S.
All are welcome to attend. Please register at the link below:
https://bit.ly/endracism-buildpeace

Day Forum: How to be an Ally?
2022-10-18 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | Zoom
The Interfaith Round Table invites you to a community discussion about how to be an Ally.
How can we advance a culture of inclusion for all? What do our faith traditions teach us about allyship? How can we be a better ally by devoting our time to lifting others?

Please bring a quote, or share a personal experience. We will share these, listen, and build mutual appreciation and allyship.
Join us for an open discussion. All are welcome to attend. Please register at the link below:

https://bit.ly/Be-Ally

Interwoven…Building Community Connection
2022-11-13 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Detroit) | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1385 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
Register at: https://bit.ly/IRT-celebration
Interfaith Round Table presents its “Annual Interfaith Fall Celebration.” This year’s theme, “Interwoven…Building Community Connection,” features inspiring speakers from various faith congregations, a community-building activity, and music.
Keynote speakers are Brent B. Ward, Maum Gloria Cox, and Humza Irfan. Asha Vadlamudi from the Baha’is of Ann Arbor will read the Baha’i unity prayer. Spiritual musical performances include Mary & the Huz Band and Kath Weider & the Spirit Singing Band.
Attendees are encouraged to bring some non-perishable items to donate to Food Gatherers.
Come and join the celebrations. Walk-ins are welcome.

The Story of Hope and Faith
2022-12-11 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Detroit)
Story of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) in Monotheistic Faiths
The Story of Hope and Faith
December 11 at 3-4:30 pm EST
Register here: https://bit.ly/faith-hope
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) is considered the father of monotheistic religions and usually a common ground” between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. But at the same time, it also narrates a different story in each faith tradition. What are the similarities and differences? What lessons can we learn, and how in today’s America, Prophet Abraham’s story gives us hope to build bridges and care for a shared humanity?
Join us for a panel and community discussion to explore the story of Abraham in monotheistic faith traditions and how we can learn to build bridges of friendship among each other.

Dr. King and the Legacy of Non-Violent Direct Action
2023-01-16 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Detroit)
Dr. King and the Legacy of Non-Violent Direct Action
January 16 at 7-8:30 pm EST
Register here: https://bit.ly/irt-mlk
Interfaith Round Table and First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor Present, “Dr. King and the Legacy of Non-Violent Direct Action.” Join us for a panel and community discussion on how we might draw on Dr. King’s legacy of non-violent action in service to social justice and building a Beloved Community.

World Interfaith Harmony Week Challenge!
2023-02-01 - 2023-02-07
The Interfaith Round Table is organizing its 1st Annual World Interfaith Harmony Week in observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week from February 1st to February 7th. A week-long educational social media (Facebook, Instagram) campaign aimed to spread awareness and a deeper understanding of diverse religious traditions. Each day the campaign will highlight one particular faith tradition. This campaign will provide a great opportunity to learn about various faith traditions, build meaningful relationships, and create social harmony and unity.
Interfaith Round Table invites community members to send their picture, or a short video clip about one of their faith traditions, or any stereotype. The photo will be posted on the IRT social media handles. Join us and be part of the movement!
For more about World Interfaith Harmony, Click Here.
Please email the photo/clip @ interfaithwashtenaw@gmail.com
Or DM IRT’s Facebook or Instagram

(2 flyers attached- I-WIHW Challenge II– WIHW)
SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday, May 21 @ 5:00-7:00 pm
Chinmaya Mission, 4760 Packard St. Ann Arbor

Day Forum
2023-03-21 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
The Interfaith Round Table invites you to its community conversation series, Day Forum. During the lunch hour, we will explore vital topics and questions together that are important to you! We invite you to this meaningful conversation. If you’d like to join us, you can register at the link below:
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlce2tpzIiHNcsuKZIzXi0gyf1Ec2KwnDi

April Day Forum
2023-04-18 11:45 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | 1900 Manchester Rd., Ann Arbor 48104, 1900 Manchester Rd., Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Topic: Courageous Conversations Facilitator: Rev. Diane Smith
The Interfaith Round Table invites you to its monthly Community Conversation series, “Day Forum.” During the lunch hour, we will explore turning difficult conversations about race and faith into productive engagement toward change. This session will be the first in a series of opportunities for “courageous conversations.” We invite you to this meaningful conversation.
Walk-ins Welcome Or Register: https://bit.ly/day-forum-conversation
