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FIRST ANNUAL MONTH OF REMEMBRANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Interfaith Partnership collaborated with Faith Beyond Walls to launch the first annual Month of Remembrance between August 15 and September 14. Month of Remembrance included a series of opportunities for service, dialogue and reflection in memory of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. See highlights below and mark your calendars for Month of Remembrance 2005.
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
ICAN! (Interfaith Communities and Neighborhoods Food Drive)
From August 15 through September 5 we hosted the first annual ICAN! Food Drive to benefit the St. Louis Area Food Bank. Thanks to these local interfaith sites for serving as hosts: Bahá'í Information Center, Central Reform Congregation, Immanuel United Church of Christ, Islamic Community Center and the Missouri Zen Center.
Extra special thanks to all the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints congregations that donated food including Florissant, Frontenac, Lindell, Pagedale, Carondelet, Webster Groves, Fenton, Oakville, Arnold, Hillsboro, Crystal City, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood and Chesterfield.
INTERFAITH PANEL AND REMEMBRANCE GATHERING
On September 9, IP hosted a 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?" Thanks to the Rev. Dr. David Greenhaw for moderating and to our panelists Sr. Carla Mae Streeter (Christian), Imam Mu
hamed Hasic (Muslim), Rabbi Mark Fasman (Jewish) and Catherine Nofles (Bahá'í).
The third annual IP Remembrance Gathering followed involving prayers of peace, song and dance.Thanks to the Christian, Bahá'í, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu representatives who participated including the Rev. Dr. Warren Crews, Dr. Waheed Rana, Batya Abramson-Goldstein, Jewish, Woei Singhan, Ravali Gummi & Anupriya Dixit, Jeannette Thompson and Voices of St. Alphonsus Rock gospel choir (under the direction of Danny Dumaine).
ANNUAL DINNER EXPERIENCES LARGEST TURN-OUT EVER!
Nearly 350 interfaith individuals came out to the 13th Annual Interfaith Partnership Dinner to enjoy tasty food, interfaith dialogue and to hear a speech by Bishop Thomas Hoyt, President of the National Council of Churches. Hoyt's topic "A Faithful Response to Prejudice: Transformed Nonconformists" included a call to the interfaith community to make a greater commitment to serving the poor. Thanks to the Dinner Planning Committee and all our dinner sponsors (listed below). Special thanks to Hakeem Abdur Rashid, Rev. Dr. Warren Crews, Rev. Dr. Martin Rafanan, Michele and Joel Van Hoose and Rabbi Janine Schloss for participating on the program.
President's List ($2,000+)
St. Luke's Hospital
Sustainer's List ($1,000-$1,999)
The Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke,
Archbishop of St. Louis
The Danforth Foundation
Deaconess Foundation
Larry W. Neeb
Joan and Robert O'Brien
Sisters of Mercy Health SystemBenefactor's List ($500-$999)
Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS)
Aquinas Institute of Theology
Baha'i Community of Greater St. Louis Area
Behavioral Health Response
BJC Healthcare
Christfriends In Community, Edwardsville, Illinois
Commerce Bank
Eden Theological Seminar
Incarnate Word Foundation
Islamic Community Center
Helen and I. E. Millstone
Howard and Elna Nelson
R. T. Thomas and Company
SSM Health Care
Webster Groves Christian Church
The Rev. Dr. Barbara and Mike WillockSupporter ($250-$499)
Rhea Arculeer
In memory of the Arculeer's:
Tom and Shirley, John and Evelyn
Terry BloombergSupporter ($250-$499) continued
Congregation Temple Israel
The Reverend Dr. Warren and Mary Jane Crews
Department of Human Services - City of St. Louis
Drs. Ghazala and Sultan Hayat
Jewish Community Relations Council
Orvin and Latriece Kimbrough
John and Mary Padgett
Mark R. Roock
St. Louis 2004
St. Louis University Hospital
Rabbi Janine Schloss and Keith Hamburg
Third Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Paul A. G. Stewart, Sr., Presiding Prelate
Youth In NeedSponsor ($100-$249)
Anti-Defamation League, Missouri / Southern Illinois Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
O'Ray Graber
Habitat for Humanity
Jerri and Bill Livingston
The Reverend Roy C. Moore
Anne G. Murphy
R. Irene and Ron Randall
Nancy and Bob Remmert
Renni Shuter
Dorothy Sulkowski
Dr. and Mrs. Matthew Thomas
IP HOSTS UPCOMING DIALOGUES ON THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN POLITICS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION
A Forum on the Role of Religion in Politics
Thursday, October 28, 2004
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Eden Seminary's Luhr Library
475 E. Lockwood, St. Louis, MO 63119
Panelist from five different faith groups will share their faith's perspective including Archbishop Raymond Burke, Reverend Dr. Michael Kinnemon, Dr. Waheed Rana, Rabbi Mark Shook and Ms. A.J. Burkhardt. Rabbi Janine Schloss will serve as Moderator. For more information or register for this event, call Interfaith Partnership (314) 531-4787 or e-mail. Click here for a flyer about this event.
An Interfaith Conversation on Public Education
Monday, November 8, 2004
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sheraton City Center
400 S. 14th St., St. Louis, MO 63103Keynote Speaker Congressman Chaka Fattah. Local Panelist to share working models of partnerships between public education and faith communities.
Co-Sponsored by The Committee on Public Education and Literacy for The National Council of Churches of Christ and Interfaith Partnership. For more information or to register for either event call Interfaith Partnership at (314) 531-4787
or e-mail.
Get Involved with Abraham's Children
For many years IP has been working to address the health concerns of congregations and communities throughout the St. Louis region. With affordable health care becoming increasingly out of reach for many Missourians, IP continues its mission to ensure that all of God's children have access to high quality health information and services. Heeding this call with support from our Cabinet of faith leaders, IP is currently recruiting more congregations to address these critical health issues through the Abraham's Children program.
The general goals of AC are to increase access to health care, improve support networks for the underserved and decrease health disparities in the St. Louis region. AC provides congregations with specialized training and support in establishing and maintaining comprehensive health and wellness ministries. Participants meet monthly as a group to share information, support one another in addressing community health concerns, and develop collaborative projects. Our long-term objective is to mobilize hundreds of congregations around the issue of health care to leverage resources - both financial and human. Join us in our effort to strengthen ties between faith groups as we work together for healthy families and communities. Contact Kassandra Alcaraz at (314) 531-4787 for more information or to get involved.
Healthy Mind-Body-Spirit
Interfaith Partnership is pleased to welcome Lane Tabernacle CME as the newest congregation to participate the Healthy Mind-Body-Spirit (HMBS) project. Lane has been actively involved in health advocacy through Abraham's Children for several years and wanted to do more to address the health care needs of the congregation and community. The HMBS project was officially launched at Lane on Sunday, September 26 with a "Spiritual Beginnings" reception.
On Saturday, October 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Lane will host an informational health awareness seminar that includes topics such as Identifying and Managing Stress, How to Care for the Care-Giver/Death and Dying Situations and Faith and Spirituality. The seminar will take place at the Isom Community Center @ Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church, 910 North Newstead Avenue (between Delmar & Page). Click here for a detailed flyer about the event.
In the coming months, IP will work closely with our major health care partners to assist Lane's health ministry in reaching its goals. For more information about HMBS project contact Kassandra Alcaraz at the IP office.
Flu Education Available to SeniorsInterfaith Partnership is working with MissouriPRO to educate seniors about the flu. In October and November, Community Health Educators (CHE's) will be available to provide FREE workshops in the following St. Louis zip codes: 6 3033, 63104, 63106, 63107, 63108, 63112, 63113, 63115, 63120, 63121, 63130, 63133, 63136, and 63147.
CHE's will provide presentations about the flu to small groups (10-15 people at a time) within the targeted zip codes. The goal is to change negative attitudes about receiving influenza immunizations within the St. Louis community. CHE's can provide education in churches/congregations, senior centers, barber/beauty shops or other locations to spread the word about the symptoms and dangers of the flu and the importance of getting a flu shot.
Contact Kassandra Alcaraz the IP office for more information or to schedule a presentation for your group.
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