On Saturday, November 21st, United Power for Action and Justice (a broad-based organization of 225 religious congregations, unions and non-profits) and the Industrial Areas Foundation will sponsor a Public Life Forum on "Religion, Democracy and Organizing" at Concordia University in River Forest, just west of Chicago. The featured speakers include Francis Cardinal George of the Chicago Archdiocese, Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain of the University of Chicago (and Co-chair of the Council on Civil Society) and Rev. Johnny Ray Youngblood of St. Paul Community Baptist Church and East Brooklyn Congregations.

The Forum will explore both the challenges and opportunities of connecting religion and democracy through organizing. In particular, we wish to consider the ways different religious traditions embrace or stand apart from politics. In addition to the keynote speakers, United Power leaders from religious congregations, unions and community development groups will offer their perspectives. The event includes small group discussions over lunch.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program concludes by 2:00 p.m. There is a $10 charge for lunch and the Forum papers. To register, contact Tom Lenz at 312-996-7963 or tomlenz@uic.edu.