On Feb. 11-12, the Church of the Brethren’s Intercultural Ministries staff Gimbiya Kettering will lead events at Bethany Theological Seminary on the theme “Ministry in Two Americas.” The campus of Bethany Seminary is located in Richmond, Ind.
A quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., has inspired the theme for the events: “There are literally two Americas…. [One] America is overflowing with the milk of prosperity and the honey of opportunity. But tragically and unfortunately, there is another America…. In this America people are poor by the millions. They find themselves perishing on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.”
Kettering will lead a Peace Forum on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 11:30 a.m.-1:20 p.m. “From the Occupy Movement to #Black Lives Matter to the DREAM Act, the ‘other’ America seems to be in the news a lot lately,” said an announcement. “Whether you are inspired by these protests or frightened by the riots, as Christian leaders we have a calling and commandments that give us insight into how to respond to these issues today.”
On Thursday, Feb. 11, from 4:30-6 p.m., Kettering will give a presentation titled “The Gospel According to ‘The Hunger Games.’” Questions guiding this presentation include: Why did this story hit a nerve for youth? What is it saying about violence and social justice? What do our youth “know” about real oppression? This session is for those interested in how “The Hunger Games” which is both a popular movie series and a popular series of novels for young adults, can be used in a youth ministry setting.
A series of interactive conversations will be led by Kettering on Friday, Feb. 12, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on the theme “And What Does the Lord Require of You?” These times for in-depth, interactive conversation will address social justice, intercultural ministries, and seeking diversity for our congregations. The schedule is as follows:
— 8-8:45 a.m. Social Justice Bible Study (BYOV: Bring Your Own Verse)
— 9-10:30 a.m. White Privilege…for the Not-So-Privileged White Person
— 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Mission Starts Here: Preparing to Minister in America
— 12:30-1 p.m. What Next?
Find out more about the Intercultural Ministries of the Church of the Brethren and download a flier for the events at Bethany Seminary at www.brethren.org/intercultural .