Feb. 18, 2025

They are Catholic, Protestant, Muslim. They know the disparate paths their own faith congregations have taken on the path to the present. Yet they seem to agree that they have much in common, and a shared calling. And when pressed on whether they can become more united in serving the larger community, they seem to agree that they would work together more only by talking to each other more.

For a Forum focused primarily on education, politics and the health of the African-American community in Charlotte, today’s presentation was an unusual exploration of the personal: what draws African-Americans to small congregations; what distinguishes these faith groups from the much larger ones that cast larger shadows in Charlotte; how do these groups guide their congregants through today’s culture wars. All appear to struggle reaching young people.

Participants included Catholics Toni Tupponce and Sam Cooper; Episcopalian Lisa Givens Pugh; Muslim Ronald Shaheed; Presbyterian Ed Newberry and Lutheran Donald Anthony.