Finding hope in a difficult world
As usual, our monthly update comes to you with lots of good news in a world where good news is hard to come by. Society is shifting as we speak; the legal rulings of this week will have far reaching consequences that will require people of faith to innovate in ways we perhaps have not done before. I wrote about the overturn of Roe vs. Wade this week here.
Andre G. Brown, actor, filmmaker and Invested Faith Fellow
The good news is that my work with Invested Faith leaves me filled with hope whenever I encounter someone who has taken the task of healing the world seriously and practically. You can read about the work of all our fellows here, but this month I’d love to invite you into a conversation I had with one of our Fellows, Andre Brown, who is producing a documentary film about being gay in the Black church.
I was taken with his idea because I know that telling others our stories—vulnerable though it makes us—always allows us to move toward each other instead of away. June is Pride month, so this is a special opportunity to highlight Andre’s work.
The other news you’ll read here is sent to give you hope: hope that there are people in the world who believe their faith calls them to do the work of healing all around them. I celebrate those people and I invite you to join me in getting behind their efforts. Little efforts in a big, broken world can make a lasting difference, and I feel so grateful to be part of the work of our Fellows. Who knows which one(s) of them will change the world?
P.S. If you would like to support the work of our Fellows like Andre and the others you will read about below, you can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Invested Faith Talks with Andre Brown
Listen in as Invested Faith Founder Dr. Amy Butler talks with actor and filmmaker Andre G. Brown about his new project, A Soul Cleansing Documentary. In this full-length documentary, Brown interviews LGBTQ folk who have navigated the intersection of faith, sex, and sexuality after finding themselves on the margins of church.
Meet our New Fellows
This month we announced our fourth class of Invested Faith Fellows. You'll be hearing more about them in the coming weeks.
Eugene Kim
Burlington, Massachusetts
New Wine Collective
Rev. Eugene Kim is the founder and director of New Wine Collective, a non-profit organization with a mission to help heal the world by making spiritual community accessible to all. New Wine is creating an innovative online tool that helps facilitate face-to-face spiritual conversations and community.
Naz Georgas
New York, New York
Cordoba House Sunday School
Naz Ahmed Georgas pioneered the establishment of the Cordoba House Sunday School, a weekend education program in NYC. The program was launched to meet the needs of growing American Muslim families seeking a Sunday school education that is both authentically Islamic and relevant to contemporary American life.
Heather McDuffee and Pryncess Favors
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Creations@the Edge
Heather McDuffee and Pryncess Favors are co-owners of Creations @ The Edge, a makers boutique that features handmade products by women. Creations @ The Edge is helping women close the wage gap and gain greater purpose and financial freedom.
Biff Chaplow
Denver, Colorado
EEqual
Biff Chaplow is a parent, artist, and activist for economic justice. They currently serve as the Executive Director for EEqual, a youth-led nonprofit working to ensure homeless youth have equal access to higher education. EEqual believes housing is a human right, education is a human right, and intergenerational leadership is key to addressing these issues.
A Thank you from Invested Faith Fellow Alysia Harris and Meeting House Revival
Invested Faith Fellow Alysia Nicole Harris, Ph.D. is a Pushcart-nominated performance poet whose work is at the intersection of church and community building. The mission of the Meeting House Revival is to preserve Black history by restoring historical Black churches.
Her first project, the East Side Chapel Revival Project in Corsicana, Texas, will restore and revive a historically significant Black church built in 1905 and create space for local artists to offer their work. Alysia recently sent us this note:
Thank you so much. This investment will help us pay the preservation architects to do the historic structures report and preservation assessment, another crucial step in rehabilitating this historic building for community use.
Join the Invested Faith Community
Spread the word! In July, we will be focused on building our social media network. Help us build our audience by using your social media presence and word of mouth to tell others about this important work. Join us on Facebook, LInkedIn and Twitter and share our posts with your friends.
Help us tell the Invested Faith story. If your church or organization would like to learn more about Invested Faith, please let us know. We'll be happy to help.
Introduce us! Maybe you know someone who fits our criteria for an Invested Faith Fellow: rooted in faith, working for justice and addressing systemic problems in their community while building a sustainable financial model? At Invested Faith, we don't do typical grant applications. Read more about our criteria and how to apply here.
Match a grant. If your organization would like to partner with us to support an Invested Faith Fellow and build the work of Invested Faith, please reach out. We would love to talk!
Give a generous donation to continue to build the work of Invested Faith: Create a legacy and send your witness forward in perpetuity. Give a tax-deductible gift to Invested Faith here.
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