In wake of fires, faith leaders look to rebuild with equity

As images from the cataclysmic firestorms engulfing Los Angeles County emerged, one word came up consistently in the captions: apocalyptic.

The devastating effects of unusually wet winters followed by record-dry foliage and the incendiary whip of Santa Ana winds created the conditions for what Sammy Roth, the Los Angeles Times’ climate columnist, called “apocalyptic infernos.”

But for faith and justice leaders in LA, the fires were apocalyptic in another way. 

“In addition to the houses, lives, and histories lost, this was a reckoning,” said theology professor and interfaith leader Najeeba Syeed, who splits her time between LA and Minnesota and was in LA as the fires erupted.

That reckoning, Syeed told Sojourners, has presented both invitation and challenge to local leaders who are looking to not only meet immediate needs, but build a more just and equitable future for the City of Angels from the ashes.

The Southern California wildfires have burned down hundreds of homes and dozens of places of worship, displaced one hundred thousand people, contaminated air and water, and left lingering policy questions in their wake.

Since they began in early January, some fires have been contained while others continue burning. Local faith and justice leaders remain busy helping their neighbors and congregations who have lost homes or been displaced.

Rev. Zachary Hoover, executive director of LA Voice, a multiracial, multi-faith community organization partnering with congregations across the metro area, said they are listening to those impacted and looking for ways to meet needs both physical and spiritual.

“As we have always done in times of crisis, spiritual communities and community organizations are pouring abundance into LA County,” Hoover said.

Do New DEI Laws Pose a Threat to Interfaith Programs on U.S. Campuses?

Around this time of year, Matt Hartley would be preparing for the University of North Florida’s (UNF) annual “Find Your Folks” fair.   

Matt Hartley. Courtesy Photo.

Held on the university’s Jacksonville campus during the first week of the fall semester, the event helps students find organizations that align with their religious — or non-religious — convictions.  

As Director of UNF’s Interfaith Center, Hartley said, “it’s a way to welcome hundreds of new students to campus, tell them about our great interfaith work and invite them to get involved.”   

But this year, “Find Your Folks” is probably not happening.   

“We don’t know if our Center is going to exist,” Hartley said, “so we can’t plan like we normally do.”   

The question around whether UNF’s Interfaith Center will still be around comes as a result of SB266, a state law in Florida that prevents colleges and universities from spending state or federal money to promote, support or maintain programs or activities that “advocate for” diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).   

As Deseret News’ Kelsey Dallas reported in March, although the law’s intention primarily focuses on what Governor Ron DeSantis frequently calls “woke” racial ideology, the law will impact centers like UNF’s. It also portends potentially wider ramifications for interfaith efforts on college campuses across the U.S.