| Events & News | |
After much planning and preparation the first annual Month of Remembrance is underway. On Sunday, August 15, the IP dialogue groups all came together with Board, Cabinet and staff for an Interfaith Picnic at Des Peres Park Pavilion.
Highlights included a ceremony highlighting the various symbols that bread carries in different faith traditions. Participants shared the bread that they brought with each other. Also, the first annual ICAN! (Interfaith Communities and Neighborhoods Food Drive was kicked-off by Lenora Young, Donations Manager of the St. Louis Area Food Bank. See details below about how you can participate in the Food Drive and join us for the remaining events.
DONATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR ICAN! (Interfaith Communities and Neighborhoods) FOOD DRIVE
Now through Sunday, September 5 you can drop off your canned goods at the locations listed below. Proceeds from the Food Drive benefit the St. Louis Area Food Bank. The St. Louis Area Foodbank is a non-profit food distribution center for organizations that feed hungry people in 14 counties in eastern Missouri and 12 counties in southwestern Illinois. Contact Leslie Garvin at (314) 531-4787 or e-mail with any questions.
Locations:
Bahá'í Information Center
30 W. Lockwood Ave.
Webster Groves, MO 63119
(314) 963-1415Central Reform Congregation
5020 Waterman Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 361-3919
Drop-off hours between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Immanuel United Church of Chirst
221 Church Street
Ferguson, MO 63135
(314) 521-7324
Drop-off hours between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Islamic Community Center
4666 Lansdowne Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63116
(314) 352-2700Missouri Zen Center
220 Spring Ave.
Webster Groves, MO 63119
(314) 961-6138
Drop-off hours 24 hours (barrel on enclosed front porch)INTERFAITH PANELISTS DISCUSS "The State of Interfaith Relations Since 9-11"
5:30 p.m. - Supper
6:00 p.m. - Panel
7:00 p.m. - Service
The Ethical Society
9001 Clayton Rd.
Clayton, MO 63117 (three blocks west of the Galleria)The evening begins with a shared soup supper followed by a panel composed of interfaith leaders from the St. Louis region responding to the question, "What is the State of Interfaith Relations Since 9-11?" The third annual IP Remembrance Service, involving prayers of peace, song and dance, will immediately follow. Contact Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez at (314) 531-4787 or e-mail.
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS NEEDED FOR SERVICE AND DIALOGUE
Saturday, September 11
Interfaith Youth Community Service Day
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Shift #1
12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. Shift #2
St. Louis Area Foodbank Repackaging Center
1451 Page Industrial Court
St. Louis, MO 63132
We invite local interfaith youth to join us for a service project to package the food collected during the interfaith food drive in preparation for distribution to local families in need. Volunteers will work in two shifts. This project is for youth ages 12-18. When you call to register please indicate your preferred shift. Contact Leslie Garvin at (314) 531-4787 or e-mail to register.
Tuesday, September 14
YADA, YADA, YADA (Young Adult Dialogue Action) Gathering
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Commonspace
615 N. Grand Blvd. (1 block north of the Fox Theater)We invite young adults (18-35) to join us for an evening of interfaith dialogue and reflection. Free beverages (non-alcoholic) and food! Contact Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez for more info at (314) 531-4787 or e-mail.
UPCOMING ANNUAL DINNER SPEAKER DISCUSSES "A FAITHFUL RESPONSE TO PREJUDICE"
The 2004 Annual Dinner features special guest speaker, Bishop Thomas Hoyt, Jr., President of the National Council of Churches who will discuss "A Faithful Response to Prejudice." Call (314) 531-4787 today to register to attend. You won't want to miss this powerful event!
Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Time: Registration - 6:00 p.m. , Dinner - 6:45 p.m.
Place: Airport Marriott HotelNo Reservations accepted after October 1, 2004
We offer three choices of entrees:1) Combo Dinner: Marinated Chicken Breast & Seared Golden Tilapia, twice baked potato, asparagus
2) Vegetarian: Vegetable WellingtonAbove served with salad, rolls and chocolate layered mousse cake.
3) Simon Kohn Glatt Kosher meal for those adhering to Jewish Kashrut
We are currently seeking 2004 Program Sponsors. Sponsorship Levels are listed below. Please contact the IP office for more information.
$2,000 + President's List 8 tickets $1,000-1,999 Sustainer 6 tickets $500-999 Benefactor 4 tickets $250-499 Supporter 2 tickets $100-249 Sponsor 1 ticket 
IP is pleased to introduce Kassandra Alcaraz as the new Program Manager for Health Initiatives. The former Abraham's Children Project Director, Jennifer Strayhorn, left the organization in July to pursue other opportunities. Alcaraz, whose background is in public health, has worked with the organization for several months. She represents IP and Faith Beyond Walls on several key commuknity health coalitions, including the Mayor's Task Force on Lead Poisoning Prevention, the St. Louis Regional Health Commission's Health Literacy Taks Force and the American Heart Association's Minority Council.
Interfaith Partnership and Faith Beyond Walls Help Children Take "Wise Steps"
On Saturday, August 14, three faith-based day cares in North St. Louis ( Mt. Beulah Christian Academy , New Northside Child Development Cen
ter and Greater St. Mark Child Development Center) partnered with the Interfaith Partnership and Faith Beyond Walls to host the Wise Steps Back-to-School Fun Fair to heighten awareness of health issues such as infant mortality, juvenile diabetes and childhood lead poisoning. Nearly 250 people attended the event, which was held at New Northside.
Activities included giveaways of free school supplies to school-aged children and free health and safety supplies to younger children, free health screenings, clowns, carnival games and prizes, face painting, fire truck tour, child ID kits and nutritious snacks. Thanks to Nurses for Newborns, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Bell & Associates for donating supplies for families. Special thanks to Alpha Phi Alpha for also providing volunteers at the event. This project was funded by the Interfaith Health Program of Emory University and the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis.
In April we announced the first round winners of the Young Adult Dialogue Action (YADA) Comission mini-grants. These grants were possible through funding from the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis. Projects ranged from beautifying the grounds of local faith-based institutions and area parks to supporting a neighborhood summer camp. Below are highlights from the Public Arts Project sponsored by the Saint Louis University Office of Student Life. This interfaith mural was painted by eighth graders enrolled in a world religions course this summer. This project involves appreciation of religious diversity, synthesis of faith, community, creativity and academics and beautification of the community.
YADA is an initiative launched by the Interfaith Partnership and Faith Beyond Walls to create a young adult community that is open and accepting of all faiths through dialogue, education, social and service activities. To become involved, please contact Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez at (314) 531-4787 or e-mail.
IP ENCOURAGES THE FAITH COMMUNITY TO "GET OUT THE VOTE 2004!"
As we all know, a crucial election is only months away. At stake are vital political, economic and moral issues of concern to all Americans. Therefore Interfaith Partnership is urging all congregations to raise awareness to their congregants about the upcoming November elections. There are several ways you can engage individuals:
- Address the importance of informed participation in civic responsibilities and voting on the basis of religious values in your sermons and congregational bulletins. Also direct individuals to a relevant website: www.faithfuldemocracy.org (an organizing tool to increase the number of people with a commitment to responsible civic participation that is grounded in their religious values).
- Inform individuals how to register to vote (October 6 deadline) and/or vote absentee (October 27, 5:00 pm deadline). Hold a voter registration drive, if at all possible. Call the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners at 615-1800 for details and/or go to their website for voting deadlines and procedures: http://www.stlouisco.com/scripts/elections/index.cfm.
- Offer transportation to the polls on Election Day for those who are in need.
Your goal would be 100% registration of qualified voters in your congregation and 100% voting on Election Day. Remember, as a 501C3 organization, your congregational "Get Out the Vote" activities must be carried on in a non-partisan manner.
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS SEEKS INTERFAITH PARTICIPATION FOR THE "CHRISTMAS CRECHE EXHIBIT"
As far back as the 12th century, families have welcomed their friends and neighbors to their homes to sing songs of praise, share their beloved créches , and wonder at the great event they portray. Throughout the country there are major Créche festivals but this will be the first such event in St. Louis. To learn more about the 2004 St. Louis Community Créches & Carols Exhibit visit the Créches & Carols website. Opportunities for participation include sharing your musical talent, volunteering your time and attending the exhibit. Contact Dana King, Director of Public Affairs for the St. Louis Missouri Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at (636) 273-4346.
Celebrating 20 Years of Strengthening Faith, Sharing Faith, and Serving Faithfully