The Whiteside Forum will host the Reverend Violet Johnicker for our season finale, at 2:00pm on Sunday April 28 in the Community Room of the Odell Public Library speaking on "Unity Beyond Labels: Building a Respected, Strong Community Together." Rev. Johnicker is the senior pastor at Brooke Road United Methodist Church in Rockford, IL, and the Executive Director at Rockford Urban Ministries.

Violet holds a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary and a Master of Public Policy degree from Adler University with a Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management. She has been involved with faith-based policy advocacy and social justice work ever since her undergraduate internship at the General Board of Church and Society, the United Methodist agency devoted to working for policies that live our faith, seek justice, and pursue peace. Violet joined the staff of Rockford Urban Ministries in July 2021 and is proud to be part of the community’s interfaith work to build love for neighbor into our public policies.

The Odell Public Library is located at 307 S. Madison St., Morrison, IL and the presentation begins at 2:00pm, and is open to everyone free of charge. All are welcome and your questions about political polarization, faith, and social justice and Pastor Violet's work are encouraged.

For more information about the Whiteside Forum, this event, or to suggest topics or speakers for future events, please contact Marc Adami by email marcadami53@gmail.com, or text 815-718-5347, or visit Whiteside Forum on Facebook.

The Whiteside Forum, established in 1985, is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit community group which sponsors presentations and discussions of issues of importance and interest to the public. Issues chosen for conferences have an international dimension as well as local interest and importance. The organization is supported entirely by individual, special and business contributions and all events are free and open to the public.