Church Forum: Repowering LIPA

This Sunday, October 7 at 9:15 a.m., Jonathan Grindell will address the Adult Forum at the Garden City Community Church. Jonathan Grindell is the Repowering Campaign organizer of Long Island Progressive Coalition, a grassroots community-based organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development, revitalizing local communities, enhancing human dignity, creating effective democracy, and achieving economic & social justice. He was born in the Five Towns and spent his high school years in Long Beach. He became inspired by social justice struggles during his time as an undergrad student at Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a BA in Telecommunications. His inherent feminism eventually led him to embrace animal liberation.

While at Penn State, Jonathan was also a part of The Village. The Village formed after the school administration was not actively confronting racial death threats aimed at students of color. As a result, he was involved in the occupation of the student union building for a 9-day period that led to more diversity programs being offered by the university.

Jonathan joined the Peace Corps to promote Sustainable Development in Nicaragua. Following his service, he was accepted into Arizona State University's Global Technology & Development graduate program where he earned his MS in Science & Technology. His master's thesis examined the notion of global community and how technology enables community members to organize without borders. His case study was the animal rights movement.

Currently, Jonathan volunteers with Long Island Food Not Bombs. He helps pick-up and distribute food to the hungry each Sunday in Hempstead.

The Community is invited to attend the forum in the church parlor. Garden City Community Church is part of the United Church of Christ. Worship Services are on Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., with church school for children and crib room for infants and toddlers at the later service. Garden City Community Church is located at Stewart Avenue and Whitehall Blvd. For more information call 746-1700 or visit our web site at www.gardencitycommunitychurch.org.