January dinner series asks 'who matters to God?'

“Who Matters to God? Race, Privilege and the Bible,” sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual Life and involving students from D.E.E.P and the InterVarsity Justice Team, begins Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 5:30 p.m. in the McBride Gathering Space of the Numen Lumen Pavilion.

A team of students have organized the series, including Shelby Lewis, Shannon Brits, Kendall Kynoch and Faith James. Organizers also are working with members of D.E.E.P. – Arielle Watkins and Chelsea Saunders – from the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education. 

The events are free for members of the campus community. Pizza and salad will be served.

January 5
5:30 p.m.
“#BlackLivesMatter or #AllLivesMatter: What’s the Difference?”
Professor Toddie Peters from the Department of Religious Studies and Tiya Bolton from InterVarsity

January 12
5:30 p.m.
“Privilege and the Gospel: Why is it Important for Christians to Talk About Privilege?”
Rev. Joel Harter from the Truitt Center and D.E.E.P. students

January 13
5:30 p.m.
“Being Christian at Elon: D.E.E.P. Series on Privilege”
An event that explores religious privilege with dinner and student-facilitated conversation

January 19
5:30 p.m.
“What Does MLK Say to Us Today? / Letter From A Birmingham Jail”
Jamie Butler from the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education, and Rabbi Meir Goldstein from the Truitt Center

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“Who Matters to God?” is in addition to the Truitt Center’s annual Winterfaith Lunch Series every Wednesday during Winter Term in the Community Life Center at Elon Community Church.

Those lunches run from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Each focuses on a different faith with one or two community members sharing their beliefs. The focus this year is on Buddhism, Friends (Quaker) and Sikh faith traditions. 

The lunches are free for students and $7 for everyone else. All are welcome.