Rossford UMC's Lenten study series this year will examine how we can engage in gracious conversations and have gracious attitudes and understandings involving various racial groups and issues in America.

 Dr. Roberrt Ball will begin the series Feb. 25 with an introduction to "Circles of Grace Conversation, and the following four weeks will feature, in order, discussions of "Islam and Terrorism," "Racism and Prejudice," "The Hispanic Experience in America," and "The Black Experience in America." Dr. Amjad Hussein will lead the discussion on terrorism March 4, Rev. Lawrence Keeler the discussion on prejudice March 11, Veralucia (Lucy) Mendoza the segment on Hispanics on March 18, and Rev. Larry Whatley the discussion on black experience on March 25.

 Each class will begin at 7 p.m. in the parlor and will run 60 to 90 minutes. Should the class size become too large or if conflicts develop, the class location could change. Participants will be able to share in a dessert and drinks at the beginning of each class.

 

 

 Dr. Amjad Hussein

  Dr. Hussain was born on in Peshawar City, Pakistan, the son of Agha Sayed Gulbadshah, a civil servant in provincial government. He will share his story of being Muslim in North America. He graduated with distinction from Khyber Medical College Peshawar in 1962 and currently holds the title of Emeritus Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Toledo College of Medicine. He is past President of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA), Toledo Surgical Society and the Academy of Medicine of Toledo. Currently, he serves on the Governing Board of WGTE Public Broadcasting in Northwest Ohio and on the Board of Trustees of The University of Toledo. All are invited and welcome to attend this presentation and discussion on Islam and Terrorism.

 

  Rev. Lawrence Keeler

 

 Rev. Keeler is a retired United Methodist minister who worked 25 years as a reporter and editor in Indiana and Ohio. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Bowling Green State University and a Masters of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He retired in 1995 from his position as assistant managing editor at The Blade to become a full-time minister in Toledo. In that capacity he has served churches throughout Toledo and in Elliston, OH. For several years he taught reporting and news writing at the University of Toledo, and he has served on the boards of Mountain Mentors, a Toledo-area organization that works with at-risk and delinquent teens, and Toledo Area Ministries, an ecumenical body that develops and administers a wide range of programming, including feeding, housing, clothing, and education programs for the disadvantaged. 

 

 Veralucia Mendoza

 

 Ms. Mendoza was born in Peru and currently resides in Toledo. She will share her story about what it is like  to be a Hispanic immigrant to the United States.  Lucy was born to Hector Mendoza, Pastor and Chemical Engineer, and Antonieta Mendoza, Pastor and Primary school teacher. When Lucy was 8, she and her parents immigrated to the U.S. during an economic downfall in Peru. This experienced helped shape the way Lucy perceived and experienced the world. At 14, she was accepted to the University of Toledo through Early College High School where she was able to focus her efforts into activism and volunteering. She now works in the finance industry while pursuing a Certificate in Financial Management at Cornell University. A member of University UMC, she has remained involved in community organizing projects. 

 

  Rev. Larry Whatley

 

 Rev. Whatley has worked for all of the television network affiliates in Toledo over the past 25 years as well as for a number of radio stations. He has accumulated years of experience as a reporter and anchor, weather forecaster, program producer and host, and as a veteran community affairs representative. He most recently completed 14 years of service at the CBS affiliate, WTOL Channel 11, as a weather forecaster and anchor for the station’s daily traffic reports on its number one rated morning show. Born and raised in Fremont, Larry graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in speech and broadcasting. In addition to his career in broadcasting, he has taught news writing and production at BGSU as well as teaching in the Toledo Public School System. His hard work and high visibility throughout Northwest Ohio as established him as a well-known figure and outstanding community servant. He has received a number of prestigious awards for his accomplishments, including the Northwest Ohio Black Media Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Rev. Whatley has served as pastor of Tur,ning Point United Methodist Church in Bowling Green for the past 10 years. He has also served as associate pastor for 14 years at other churches in Fremont and Toledo. This past January his church had a surprise 10th-year anniversary celebration for him. His career as broadcaster and pastor came together several years ago when for the first time on Toledo Television he married a couple live during a special broadcast on Channel 11’s “Fantasy Wedding.” He is also the co-founder of Northwest Ohio’s only Christian Television station, WLMB Channel 40, which went on the air in 1998. He is married to his wife Doris and resides in Toledo. They have two children, Larisha and Wade and three grandchildren, Jaleah, Jonah and Noah.

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