BELOIT — JOB (Justice Overcoming Borders), an affiliate of WISDOM, has invited Rev. Joseph Ellwanger to speak to religious leaders of all faith traditions Thursday, Dec. 18, for a 12 noon luncheon meeting at Wesley Christian Methodist Episcopal Church at 1760 Shore Dr. in Beloit.
Reverend Ellwanger was honored by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s (BCRI) board of directors at the BCRI’s 16th anniversary dinner, November 14, with the prestigious Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award. BCRI’s board of directors selected Reverend Ellwanger as its honoree because of his outstanding legacy as a civil rights advocate.
Reverend Ellwanger, a retired pastor, was one of the few white Southern ministers who supported the Civil Rights Movement. He helped plan the Birmingham demonstrations in 1963. He was president of the Birmingham Council on Human Relations, which provided behind-the-scenes support for civil rights work.
Religious leaders should RSVP to Rev. Kurt Handrich at 608-312-1087 if attending the luncheon.