The Commission on Religion and Race of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church is hosting “Journey to the Light,” a conference focusing on racial issues, both past and present, Thursday in Laurel.
The conference will begin at 11 a.m. at Laurel’s First United Methodist Church. The presenters will include Mayor Melvin Mack, Charles Pickering, Lula Cooley, Carolyn Stancill, Gus Deloach, Maycie Gore, Ricky Cole, W.O. “Chet” Dillard, Rusty Daniels, Cecelia Arnold and Cheryl Jordan.
Journey to the Light began two years ago and is held in various places in Mississippi, and citizens participate in open dialog concerning race issues.
“What we are trying to do with these journeys toward the light is to hear the stories of those who played such important roles during that era,” said Martha Morrison, commission on religion and race chairperson. “This is the 40th year of the major civil right struggles in Mississippi.”
Morrison said members of the commission hope people will better understand the past and learn lessons from the past to better the future.
“We have been to varying parts of the state, and we plan to continue this,” Morrison said. “Some in this younger generation do not know the stories, and some in the middle generation may have ignored the stories as it was happening, so it’s important for us to have heard the stories of the past in order to know what we need to do in the future.”
Journey to the Light
Where: Laurel’s First United Methodist Church
When: Thursday
Event is open to the public
Schedule of events
11 a.m. - greeting, opening devotional and Journey session one
12:45 p.m. - lunch
1:30 p.m. - Journey session two
2:30 p.m. - closing moments
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