Office of Interfaith Relations continues monthly Facebook Live broadcasts on May 18

‘Labor and Religion — Building Durable Coalitions for Worker Justice’ is fourth in series of multifaith conversations

by Emily Enders Odom | Presbyterian News Service

Rick Ufford-Chase (Photo by April J. Leese)

LOUISVILE – On Thursday, May 18, at 11 a.m. EDT, Ruling Elder Rick Ufford-Chase, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s associate for Interfaith Formation, will host “Labor and Religion — Building Durable Coalitions for Worker Justice” on the PC(USA)’s Facebook page.

The May 18 conversation will be the fourth live broadcast in the interfaith office’s new, monthly series, “Third Thursdays — Multifaith Conversations on Concerns of Our Time.” The format is interactive, with brief presentations by the speakers, time for them to engage one another with questions, and the opportunity for participants to post questions of their own.

Rabbi Michael Feinberg (in yellow shirt) at a rally in New York City. (Photo provided)

Ufford-Chase, who also serves as co-director, together with his wife Kitty, of the PC(USA)-related Stony Point Center (SPC), will be joined on the popular social media platform on May 18 by Rabbi Michael Feinberg, executive director of the Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition, for a conversation about the work of building interfaith coalitions to support workers. The work of interfaith relations — especially building and fostering relationships with people of other religious traditions — is an integral part of the work of the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Theology and Worship.

“Michael has been a presence in every significant struggle for social and worker justice in New York City over the last two decades — Black Lives Matter, the fight for a $15 minimum wage, support for undocumented workers, confronting Islamophobia,” Ufford-Chase said. “He embodies what I have heard Rev. Jim Wallis describe as the spiritual discipline of ‘proximity.’ He intentionally locates himself where people most need the support of the religious community.”

Questions that Ufford-Chase will ask Feinberg on May 18 include: “What are the challenges involved in building bridges between labor organizations and religious communities?” “What advice do you have for communities of faith that want to be good allies to workers in their communities? How should they reach out? What are the sensitivities they need to bring to work of building these relationships?”

“We invite you to join us on ‘Third Thursdays’ if you are interested in hearing the point of view of both Presbyterians who take the gospel seriously and those of other traditions who seek Christian partners who will stand with them in difficult times,” Ufford-Chase said. “Come to learn — expect to be challenged.”

For those unable to join the broadcast live, a video playback will be available after the broadcast on the PC(USA)’s Facebook page and on Vimeo.

Note to regular viewers of “Third Thursdays — Multifaith Conversations on Concerns of Our Time”: The May 18 Facebook Live event is scheduled one hour earlier than the previous broadcasts and will be held at 11 a.m. EDT.