| For more than two months Muslim, Jewish and Christian teens from metro Detroit came together to discuss their lives, fears, and the possibility of peace between their communities. Results of those powerful conversations were more than a new play … “The Children of Abraham Project” was a ray of hope. This fictional retelling, inspired by the story of Abraham and his two sons Isaac and Ishmael, provided a framework for exploring the bonds that bring our communities together and the conflicts which keep them apart. From the unique viewpoint of young people, new light was shed on these centuries-old issues of prejudice and hate. |
| The Children of Abraham will provide a 40-minute video followed by a 45-minute discussion exploring the split between the Christian, Judaic, and Islamic faiths. The presentation will focus on how children are taught to reject the teachings of other faiths and the conflicts that occur as a result. The Children of Abraham's powerful and often emotional message will challenge participants to consider how religious beliefs play a role in their own lives and their perception of the world. |
Reuniting the Children of Abraham |
Taking the Leap of Faith: Raising Your Children Prejudice Free |
| Our world today has shrunk to the size of a neighborhood. In this new world, the old tribal attitudes of Racial, Ethnicity, Religion, Class and other Assumptions of Superiority have shown themselves as the Sources of Conflict which bedevil our world today. Our children will adapt to this new world with or without our help. To have a better world, what can we do to raise them without the embedded prejudices and fears of past times? What can we expect from them as they take their place in this new world, with its new, larger family? These issues will be explored in this workshop. |
| Born in 1947, in Nashville, Tennessee, John’s parents, like many African Americans of their time, moved to Detroit to have greater opportunity than in the segregated south. He spent every summer, from the age of 5 to 17 in that segregated south, and knew 1st hand, what that meant. Mr. Suggs earned a B.A., History, Eastern Michigan University & M.B.A., Business |
| WORKSHOP FOR AGES 10 + |
| Many Workshops Have A Limited Number of Participants. Register Now To Reserve Your Seat! |
Finding Our Roots in Ancient Iraqi Art |
| Mesopotamia, what the Greeks called the land between the two great rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, ancient Iraq, has been called the cradle of Western civilization: why is that? This 90-minute PowerPoint slide discussion session invites participants to begin to examine and analyze the significance of remains of the literary and visual culture of ancient Mesopotamia from beginnings in the delta circa 5500 BCE. Cunieform tabets with powerful tales of a diety's resurrection, alabaster votive offerings in the form of persons with their hands folded in prayer--or, for instance, graphic records of the king's bloody destruction of human and animal foe alike all records of beliefs, values, rituals, and political forms of life remarkably like our own. How might we trace our cultural forms back to those of the people who inhabited ancient Iraq? And what responsibility do we have to safeguard the cultural treasures of Iraq while we occupy its territory? We consider a different view of U.S. involvement in Iraq. |
| Leslie Cavell teaches art history and visual culture at Michigan State University. She has presented research on medieval religious imagery in poster sessions at College Art Association and the Society of Biblical Literature conferences and in the 2006 SOURCE article "Restoring the Integrity of Macon's Last Judgment Portal. |
| Management, Central Michigan University. He is a Co-Founder of “Common Threads”, Community Development Workshops & President of the United Ministries for Higher Education, Oakland University, a multi-faith organization dedicated to meeting students’ spiritual needs while fostering mutual understanding & respect for the religious diversity. |
Patchworks of Peace - Building Community Through Quilting |
This workshops goal is to create a quilt that reflects this year's theme of "One
World One Family." Each participant will get a piece of light canvas onto which
they will have the freedom to paint and decorate in the way that they feel best
represents this years theme, the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and its
importance to them as an individual. The pieces will be left to dry and Ms. Orozco
will later sew the pieces together into a quilt that will become a wall display for the
next years celebration for all to see! This workshop is open to anyone and
everyone.
World One Family." Each participant will get a piece of light canvas onto which
they will have the freedom to paint and decorate in the way that they feel best
represents this years theme, the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and its
importance to them as an individual. The pieces will be left to dry and Ms. Orozco
will later sew the pieces together into a quilt that will become a wall display for the
next years celebration for all to see! This workshop is open to anyone and
everyone.
| Patricia Orozco-Cubbon was born and raised in Southwest Detroit. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting from Wayne State University. Some (17) years ago she settled in Milford Village with her then (3) young children, William, Caitlin, and Joseph. Patty maintains a diverse and colorful resume from her days in Detroit where she worked with many non-profits to bridge her multi-cultural community together through the arts, directing youth programs, and working with the Detroit Council for the Arts. As a single parent she strives to remain involved when possible or when called upon in the Milford Community. She considers herself an Activist/Artist. |
| WORKSHOP FOR ALL AGES |
Kate Runyon is the director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues
Program of the American Friends Service Committee (Quaker) for Michigan. Kate serves
as a trustee for Triangle Foundation and is on the board of directors for the Michigan
Coalition for Human Rights. Kate served in the Peace Corps in West Africa and is
committed to sharing with others ways to be global citizens. She has been active in
prejudice reduction, intercultural communication, interfaith and social justice work for
over 15 years as an artist, consultant, teacher, facilitator, and director of LGBT
programs working with people of faith. Kate was raised in the Huron Valley in Milford, MI
and after many adventures living in Germany and Africa, she now lives with her partner
of 6 years in Ann Arbor.
Program of the American Friends Service Committee (Quaker) for Michigan. Kate serves
as a trustee for Triangle Foundation and is on the board of directors for the Michigan
Coalition for Human Rights. Kate served in the Peace Corps in West Africa and is
committed to sharing with others ways to be global citizens. She has been active in
prejudice reduction, intercultural communication, interfaith and social justice work for
over 15 years as an artist, consultant, teacher, facilitator, and director of LGBT
programs working with people of faith. Kate was raised in the Huron Valley in Milford, MI
and after many adventures living in Germany and Africa, she now lives with her partner
of 6 years in Ann Arbor.
| This workshop will be an introduction of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. We will explore a wide range of issues connected with sexual orientation minorities and people who bend the gender norms. From bullying in schools to visitation rights for loved ones in hospitals, we will examine the connections between laws and life and how oppression, fear and hate can be transformed into equality, respect and support for one another as human beings. If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning person you are welcome to come, if you are already an ally to LGBT people and would like to learn more skills about being an ally or have an opportunity to ask questions in a respectful manner you are welcome to come. Our learning journey in this session will be interactive, honest, respectful and safe for all who are present. |
* Limited space is available,
pre-registration
encouraged to reserve a
seat. This is a session for
people who identify as part
of this community or as an
ally. All others encouraged
to participate in other
workshop offerings.
pre-registration
encouraged to reserve a
seat. This is a session for
people who identify as part
of this community or as an
ally. All others encouraged
to participate in other
workshop offerings.
| A Safe Space For LGBTQ Peoples & Allies - Discussing Issues Around Gender Norms & Sexual Orientation |
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| Dr. King was opposed to American involvement in the Vietnam War. This workshop will briefly touch the subject of American Exceptionalism, meaning the attitude that American culture & life is superior to other cultures’ life, which displays itself as this attitude that can oppose others. |
Dawud Walid, is the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations-Michigan. Dawud is an educator, community activist & decorated
veteran who has been active in the Detroit Metropolitan area for years. He has
lectured across the country & has had numerous articles on Islam & Interfaith
dialogue published. He also served in the United States Military for four years
receiving two Navy & Marine Corp Achievement Medals for his work under the
Administrative Officer & the Command Judge Advocate of his unit.
Relations-Michigan. Dawud is an educator, community activist & decorated
veteran who has been active in the Detroit Metropolitan area for years. He has
lectured across the country & has had numerous articles on Islam & Interfaith
dialogue published. He also served in the United States Military for four years
receiving two Navy & Marine Corp Achievement Medals for his work under the
Administrative Officer & the Command Judge Advocate of his unit.
Restorative Justice - Healing The Harm |
| American Exceptionalism |
Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about including
everyone into a world community based on
understanding. The process of achieving this
community was as important as the goal itself.
Restorative Justice provides a system for peaceful
reintegration of people who might be discarded by
society based on one bad decision. Following King’
s desire to unite us all in community, Restorative
Justice teams us together to heal the harm that
separates us. We will discuss the benefits of
Restorative Justice over current justice system;
how to run a group & role-play an actual
conference.
everyone into a world community based on
understanding. The process of achieving this
community was as important as the goal itself.
Restorative Justice provides a system for peaceful
reintegration of people who might be discarded by
society based on one bad decision. Following King’
s desire to unite us all in community, Restorative
Justice teams us together to heal the harm that
separates us. We will discuss the benefits of
Restorative Justice over current justice system;
how to run a group & role-play an actual
conference.
Beth Klerekoper is a
trained mediator with
bachelor degrees from
the University of
Michigan & Michigan
State as well as a
masters. She is a
teacher in the South
Lyon Schools.
trained mediator with
bachelor degrees from
the University of
Michigan & Michigan
State as well as a
masters. She is a
teacher in the South
Lyon Schools.
All workshops will begin promptly at 2:00 PM. *Please register for only workshop. Workshops will conclude at 3:00 PM. All workshops are limited to approximately 30 participants except: Children of Abraham which will be offered in the Little Theater which can accommodate 250 people & Drummunity in the Old Gym which is open to all-ages & can accommodate up to 500 participants. |
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Workshops