First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest Opens Discussion on Race and Reconciliation

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Jan. 14, 2015 - PRLog -- In light of the recent events in Ferguson, Mo., New York City and Paris, and knowing that we can’t help but react from our own perspective—our color, social position, political viewpoint and more—how do we respond?

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest hopes that through open and honest discussion, we can explore this question and the call to reconciliation so that we may work on peacemaking in our communities. Every Sunday through Feb. 2, First Pres will focus its sermons on the ministry of reconciliation to offer an opportunity to think together about the relevance of faith for contemporary questions about race, global conflict and our relationships with the stranger, our neighbors and families.

This Sunday, Jan. 18, the sermon will look at race and reconciliation and on Jan. 25 the sermon will focus on contemporary challenges of diversity and difference. Couched between these two Sundays is a special presentation with internationally-renowned speaker Daniel White Hodge, Ph.D., director of the Center for Youth Ministry Studies at North Park University in Chicago.

On Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m., Dr. Hodge will lead a talk that places particular emphasis on the interaction of race and racialization, and how these shape the hopes, realities and possibilities for youth and churches engaging in racial reconciliation and youth advocacy.

First Pres invites the public and the media to listen, learn and join the conversation. Sunday sermons and the special talk with Dr. Hodge all will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 700 N Sheridan Road in Lake Forest. To reserve a seat for the Jan. 22 speaker presentation, please email Jennifer Aycock at jaycock@firstchurchlf.org. For all other questions, contact Jorina Fontelera at (847) 234-6250 or jfontelera@firstchurchlf.org.

About First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest

Our mission at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest is to send inspired and well-equipped followers of Jesus into the world, loving and serving God in their daily lives.We invite you to join us in these resilient Christian practices: worship, learn, connect, serve and invite. Find out more about our worship services, study groups, mission outreach and fellowship opportunities by visiting our website atwww.firstchurchlf.org or calling us at (847) 234-6250.