CHARLIE RUSSELL’S PHOTOGRAPHS IN EAST ART GALLERY
Sunday, February 5 | North Indy - Available for the entire month of February
Charlie Russell returns to Indianapolis from his current home in VA to bring us his “Social Justice Observations at Home and Abroad.” Meet Charlie at the reception and hear about the taking of these powerful photos.
‘SPEAKING OUT IN PICTURES AND WORDS”
Sunday, February 5 from 11AM-noon | North Indy - N103/104 & Zoom | Register
Charlie Russell will talk about how he uses his photography and writing to speak out about his experience as a Black man. Both his photos and blog reflect who he is now and how he got here. See his Social Justice photography exhibit in St. Luke’s East Gallery for the month of February and read his blog.
FAIR HOUSING EXHIBIT
Month of February, North Indy - East End of Gathering Area | fhcci.org/exhibit.
The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI), in partnership with St. Luke’s in Indianapolis, is hosting Unwelcomed: A Fair Housing History of Sales & Lending Discrimination, an interactive exhibit. The exhibit will educate participants on the systemic barriers that have impacted today’s neighborhoods through redlining, racial covenants, steering, neighborhood intimidation, and other forms of housing discrimination. Modern-day forms of housing discrimination in sales and lending will also be highlighted. The exhibit is funded through support by First Merchants Bank.
HOUSING SYMPOSIUM: EXPLORING ISSUES OF EQUITY AND STABILITY
Wednesday, February 8, 6-8PM | North Indy Campus - Sanctuary
Have you heard that Indiana has one of the highest eviction rates in the country*?
Did you know that 1 in 14 renters in Marion County and Indianapolis had an eviction filing between March 2020 and April 2022*?
Do you wonder how this has happened and what we can do about it? Do you also wonder why fair housing issues are also racial justice issues?
The Housing Symposium kicks off our observance of Black History Month by addressing these questions and more. Against the physical backdrop of the exhibit entitled "Unwelcomed: A Fair Housing History of Sales & Lending Discrimination," expert local speakers from the Fair Housing Center, Family Promise, and Fairbanks School of Public Health will address the state of housing in Indianapolis and its impact on the overall health of our community. We will bring together people who share a commitment to protect and further the rights of those facing housing instability in our community. And we will share ideas on how to affect change on a local level. You will not only learn more about this crisis, you will also walk away with actionable steps to become part of the solution. Among other things, this includes a fundraising project designed to support a family from homelessness to housing stability through a one-year relationship with Family Promise. Please register here.
*statistics reported by WFI and the Eviction Research Network
WE. THE CULTURE: WORKS BY THE EIGHTEEN ART COLLECTIVE TOUR – Feb 11
Saturday, February 11 from 11AM-noon | Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Rd
The Black artists in this exhibit painted the “Black Lives Matter” mural on Indiana Avenue in 2020. Artists Israel Solomon and Kenneth Hordge will be our guides for this tour sponsored by St. Luke’s Racial Justice Ministry. Please meet inside the front doors of the museum. Museum membership or entry fee is needed. The exhibit is available until Sept 24, 2023. Register at stlukesumc.com/antiracist.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR 2022 GUN HOMICIDE VICTIMS
Wednesday, February 15 from 7-8PM | North Indy - Sanctuary
Gun homicide victims are more than just numbers. They are individuals with families & friends who are grieving. Join the Force for Good team to honor their lives and pray for their survivors. Expect music, scripture, prayers, and a video tribute to those who died.
BLACK AUTHORS’ CLUB DISCUSSES THE YELLOW HOUSE
Tuesday, February 21 from 7-8PM
One of the best ways to grow in understanding of Black culture is to read quality works written by major Black authors. The February book is the National Book Award winner for memoir, The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom. It is a moving chronicle of one family's life in New Orleans covering a span of more than fifty years. Register here.
FREEDOM SCHOOL VOLUNTEER CALL-OUT MEETINGS
February 26 at 12:15PM or March 1 at 6:30PM | Indy North - N101/102
Statistics show a strong correlation between low literacy, school dropout, and incarceration rates, and Freedom Schools around the country are tackling literacy in vulnerable populations in order to reduce this risk factor. This program directly supports St. Luke's commitment to becoming a justice-seeking, anti-racist church.
We are already making plans for our second summer of Freedom School, especially targeting our own Washington Township elementary students. 2023 dates are June 20 - July 21. We have big plans to make this summer EVEN MORE impactful than last summer, and we need your help.
Attend one of our call-out meetings to learn about important changes to this summer's program, and find the best fit for your gifts and interests (this is also a great opportunity for financial supporters to learn more about our plans). We need classroom support, volunteer coordinator team members, kitchen staff, and afternoon activity hosts and support. These may sound similar to roles we had last year, but they are definitely UPDATED AND IMPROVED for 2023! Register here.