An innovative news reporting and educational curriculum designed to:

SHARE innovations, insights and untold stories of faith leaders serving on the frontlines of civic conflict,
EDUCATE faith leaders with insights and skills from the frontlines of conflict and division, to deepen awareness and better prepare for future crises, and
BUILD lifelong support for faith leaders to better respond and heal while working on the frontlines.

We live in a precarious global moment

Our world is strained, our communities marked by crises, severe political polarization, racial injustice and war. Religious leaders serve at the center of their communities as sources of wisdom, healing, and stability. Their insights are valuable and need to be shared.

(Photo Credit: “Aid from the Padre” by Héctor Rondón. Photograph of priest Luis Manuel Padilla providing comfort to a wounded Venezuelan soldier amid the El Porteñazo uprising. This photograph won the 1963 Pulitzer Prize for Photography and 1962 World Press Photo of the Year.

This photo is in the Public Domain.)

Ukrainian refugee crisis in Poland

Polish faith leaders (Christian, Jewish, Muslim) are overwhelmed by complex problems as their communities seek to support the influx of over 12.7 million Ukrainian refugees…

Troubles to Come

Many faith leaders (mostly Christian) in Scotland, N. Ireland, Ireland, and northern England sense “Troubles to Come,”

A Polarized United States

U.S. faith leaders (across faith traditions) seek to manage community crises related to racial injustice and severe political polarization…

Insights for a Better World

Later stages of FL²will include curation of insights which contribute to spiritual care, multifaith, and peacebuilding scholarship.

INNOVATIONS AND INSIGHTS FROM FAITH LEADERS SERVING ON THE FRONT LINES OF CIVIC CONFLICT

Classroom Assets and Scholarly Insights

The FL²educational curricula will address the need for well-produced video content and accompanying guides which uplift practical insights from faith leaders on the frontlines of conflict for the professional training of religious leaders.

Curated Media
Short clips from the media pieces which highlight insights
Reflections
Expert-generated written reflections to accompany each short outtake
Step-by-step guides
For educators to use in their classes on the streaming platform
Convenings
Expert partners seeding impact within the religious studies and theological education spaces

“I have long enjoyed the thoughtful, expert ways in which Dr. Katie Givens Kime convenes and prepares religious leaders, and the FL² project is a smart, needed contribution in our fraught moment in history. In addition to the news documentary in Poland, bringing together the best innovations (and mistakes) that faith leaders are making on the frontlines of war, racial injustice, and political polarities will be a huge help — for educators, for faith leaders, and for the people they serve.”

Dr. Catherine Meeks / Exec. Director of the Absalom Center for Racial Healing of the Episcopal Church, and 2022 recipient of The President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award and Presidential Volunteer Service Award medal.

“Contemporary faith leaders can no longer expect to mobilize people to respond to critical issues in our communities, nations and the world from pulpits and sanctuaries. The potential for this FL²project not only addresses critical human needs, but also has the potential to help faith groups redefine their role in the communities where they serve, a path towards relevance and sustainability.”

Rev. Dr. Trace Haythorn / CEO of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, the largest international training accreditation body for chaplains and spiritual care professionals.

“Religious leaders are first responders, supporters, and caregivers in the communities in which they serve. Dr. Katie Kime recognizes the intersection of graduate theological education and the Church in supporting these leaders as they face and manage crises in their communities. I value her unique perspective and collaborative nature which when combined with her proven record in bringing fully funded programs like the FL² project into the field will continue to benefit North American seminaries.”

Ms. Amy L. Kardash, President / In Trust Center for Theological Schools and In Trust Magazine with an audience of 8,000 key decision makers at seminaries, divinity schools, and theological colleges in the United States and Canada..

“In the current global context of economic, climate, and military struggle, no community is far from crisis. The FL² project has the potential to significantly enhance the skillsets of clergy engaged on frontlines, and critically, to do so in cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary ways. Having known Dr. Kime for 20+ years, I have no doubt that she and her colleagues will unearth insights and produce outcomes that will advance our field and engender healing.”

Rev. Dr. Mark Davidson / Royal Naval Chaplain to the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, U.K

“During the production phase, educators will develop an online course about the documentary for distribution to college professors in the United States through ReligionAndPublicLife.org. In addition, the film and courses will be the basis of a global theological education program designed to address the fact that faith leaders are often grossly underprepared for work on the frontlines of crisis. Overall, the film and course will cultivate the public’s literacy about religion and demonstrate that faith can be a powerful force in developing human resilience.”

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Walker / Managing Director, The Foundation for Religious Literacy and Founder, ReligionAndPublicLife.org

“This is a smart model designed by a smart team with the skills, capacity, and experience to get it done. We need stories that offer hope by amplifying creative and effective interventions in the face of daunting challenges. FL² extends the value of their work by using the films they produce as a kind of visual case study to anchor an educational curriculum for emerging leaders. This is much needed work addressing key issues at the intersection of religious diversity and civic life.”

Dr. Jennifer Peace / Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University

Poland’s leading independent news channel, TVN24, has agreed to film the first frontline set of stories in 2023.

TVN24’s Black on White program (much like U.S. 60 Minutes) will broadcast to 2.7 million viewers.
Come back to learn when the U.S. version will be available!