The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.After a decade away, I recently had the opportunity to return home, to the city of my birth andthe place where the foundation of my faith was formed.I have been through a lot since I lived in Chicago. The city has been through a lot since I left. Inever left my faith, but I see it differently now. The communities of faith across this city'sneighborhoods never left, but I look at them differently now.Many of the cornerstones of my life were molded in faith communities: Longtime friendships,important mentors, inspirations for my career, training as my first employer, training for myunderstanding of race and class in this city.Having moved in and around communities of faith for over three decades, I am neither objectivein my observations nor oblivious in my opinions about them. This book was written both tochallenge the misperceptions about these spaces and to celebrate the humanity of the peoplewho gather in them.Join me as I consider questions of life, spirituality, and beliefs about God during my year-longjourney visiting 35 faith communities in Chicago.
