Luncheon honoring MLK Looks to Strengthen Community Relationships

Rev. Johnson explains "we want to see how we can work with our city officials to come up with solutions as well as create opportunities to better our city."

The diversity clergy luncheon honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his goal to bring people from different faiths and ethnic backgrounds together. Church leaders want to work on connecting neighborhoods, so residents are no longer strangers.

Rev. Johnson says "building upon doctor kings values, his principals as well as his ideologies." Reverends urged for a master list of services each church offers made available to local government. Clergies plan to host "meet your police officer day" where district commanders speak with those they serve.

Rockford 7^th Ward Alderman Ann Thompson-Kelly says "the decisions that we make every Monday night affects their congregation, affects members of this community that are members of their organizations, so it's only fitting that we have the clergy at the table to discuss very difficult decisions that we need to be making." She wants to see congregation leaders voice their opinions.

Alderman Thompson-Kelly says "I would like to see more clergy involved in our boards, on our boards, commissioners on a lot of entities that we have to make decisions on."

Today's luncheon stressed developing relationships. Elected officials and church leaders hope to meet again throughout 2013.