ACLC, Faith Leaders Pray for Racial Unity in Detroit
Contributed by Rev. David Kasbow, Pastor of the Metro Detroit Family Church
On Tuesday, October 18, clergy from a dozen denominations and faiths met on the steps of a Detroit courthouse to pray, cite scripture, and reflect on the racial tension in communities around the country. At noon, pastors and preachers began finding their way to the front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, a government building in the heart of the city. The assembly was organized as a partnership between the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) and the Metropolitan Christian Council of Detroit (MCC).
On stage, with the municipal center in front and a series of skyscrapers behind him, Rev. David Kasbow, the Michigan Director of ACLC, stated, “We are gathered here at the seat of political power in Detroit so that it may also, for this hour, become the seat of spiritual power. In 2008 when America elected its first black president we were hopeful—but it appears we have much work that still needs to be done in terms of racial unity.”
Clergy members read scripture which testified to the value of racial harmony. Rev. Frank Julian of Allen Park Christian Assembly remarked that over the years, his congregation has become a mixture of black, white and Hispanic believers. “I would have it no other way,” he declared. Aziz Alizadeh, a follower of the Baha’i Faith, read a prayer for America. Then Rev. Priscilla Tucker, Executive Director of the MCC, led the group in singing “This Little Light of Mine,” a song with deep roots in the African American spiritual tradition.
The program then concluded with the song, “Let there be Peace on Earth.” The day’s event may be seen as one small step toward achieving that vision.
Stay tuned to learn more about what communities around the country are doing to realize this worthy goal and share your own stories at familyfed.org/share-a-story.