On Sunday, March 23rd, the RCC was proud to host a Community Forum alongside the Rutherford Pride Alliance with the goal of providing a place for our neighbors to hear from local thought leaders and engage with one another in timely discussion of today’s most pressing issues. 

With a nearly-packed sanctuary space, the forum began with an introduction by Kat Ruhno-McCallum, co-chair of the Rutherford Pride Alliance and the forum’s co-facilitator. Attorney Jarron Schaeffer provided a brief overview of important legal rights as well as his own assessment of the current political climate. Kirsten Brynes, a local therapist, shared a number of helpful coping mechanisms alongside a talk on the importance of preserving mental wellness in stressful times. Our very own Pastor Annie Allen lent the audience her expertise on community building and organizing in the face of societal distress. 

A highlight of the forum was the testimony given by Pastor Mark Suriano of Park Ridge Congregational Church on the threats of violence his church recently received. Pastor Suriano made it clear that Park Ridge Congregational would not be intimidated into silence by hate speech, and he expressed profound gratitude for the public support his congregation has garnered in the face of bigotry.

The forum came to a close with an address from David Grassetti, Rutherford Pride Alliance co-chair. We want to offer a special thanks to all of our neighbors who came to this powerful event to offer their perspectives and engage in positive problem-solving. We also want to thank our knowledgeable guest speakers for guiding the day’s discussions with their many years of experience in their respective fields. 

The RCC plans on hosting another community forum in the near future, so stay tuned!