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INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP STRONG PRESENCE AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
This past November the National Council of the Churches of Christ USA (NCCCUSA) hosted their annual General Assembly in St. Louis. Orvin Kimbrough, IP Executive Director, delivered the Opening Remarks and Welcome, affirming the Councils efforts to promote ecumenical and interfaith work nationally and internationally. Kimbrough urged the audience of several hundred religious leaders to continue encouraging their constituents to embrace the true message of peace inherent in our faiths.
During the closing Banquet & Celebration IP received a Peacemaker Award for our efforts to promote community building, understanding and peace amongst diverse religious groups in the St. Louis region. The award was presented by Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. President of the NCCCUSA and Mr. Victor Hus, Senior Advisor to the Church World Service.
Since 2001 this award is given annually to organizations and individuals in honor of NCCCUSA's Decade to Overcome Violence. IP received this award along with several other local organizations and individuals including Faith Beyond Walls. Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez, Program Manager for Service Learning and Events received the award on behalf of IP.On October 28 Interfaith Partnership presented "A Forum on the Role of Religion in Politics" at Eden Seminary's Luhr Library. Panelists representing five different faith groups shared their perspective of the role of politics in their faith tradition to an audience of over 110 people. This was not a political debate, instead each panelist shared many thoughts such as: why it was important that people from their faith tradition should exercise their right to vote and how their faith guides them in their voting.
The evening was Moderated by Rabbi Janine Schloss.
Panelists included:
- The Most Rev. Raymond Burke (Catholic Christian)
- The Rev.Dr. Michael Kinnamon (Protestant Christian)
- Dr. Waheed Rana (Muslim)
- Rabbi Mark Shook (Jewish)
- A. J. Burkhardt (Bahá'í).
"An Interfaith Conversation on Public Education" took place on November 8 as part of the National Council of Churches General Assembly in St. Louis. Gathered together were educators, parents, community leaders and members of various faith communities to share how faith communities can be supportive of public education. Senator William "Lacy" Clay, Jr was the Keynote Speaker, followed by panelists who shared stories of successful collaboration within their communities, from tutoring to collecting school supplies.
Panelists included:
- Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services for Rockwood School District;
- Joan Smith, Reading Specialist at Blevins Elementary School;
- Mike Fulton, Assistant Superintendent for Planning and Assessment of the Pattonville School District;
- Donette Green, Executive Director for Special Services, Pattonville School District, and
- Dr. Howard Bowens, Volunteer Community Consultant for College Hill 2000, a College Hill community-based community improvement group.
The evening was sponsored by Interfaith Partnership, Cooperating School Districts, Missouri National Education Association and the National Council of Churches of Christ Committee on Public Education and Literacy.IP LAUNCHES 2005 INTERFAITH EDUCATIONAL SERIES
January through April 2005, Interfaith Partnership will collaborate with the Center for Adult Jewish Education (CAJE) to organize educational classes that foster understanding of various world religions. These courses will be offered on Thursday evenings. In January the educational sessions will focus on the Movements in Judaism. The classes from February through April will focus on one religion per class. Speakers from the following religions will be asked to speak about the tenets, sacred texts, ritual and forms of worship for their faith; Christianity (Catholic and Protestant), Bahá'í, Muslim, Hinduism, Buddhism. There will also be a time for participants to dialogue with speakers. For more information contact Beth Damsgaard- Rodriguez at (314) 531-4787.
Many Faces of Faith
Have you ever wondered what the differences are between certain religious groups or pondered why there are often various distinctions or groups within each religious group? For example, what does it mean to be part of Islam’s Nation of Islam, and what are the differences between reform, conservative or orthodox Judaism? These are among the questions that will be addressed as the Interfaith Partnership offers the "Many Faces of Faith Series". Each forum will include a panel discussion and dialogue between faith leaders sharing various perspectives of the same faith. Those attending will have an opportunity to interact with panelists. More details forthcoming.
Tentative Topics:
Many Faces of African -American Thoughts in Faith
Many Faces of Islam
Many Faces of Judaism
Many Faces of Eastern Religions
Many Faces of Christianity
REV. DR. WARREN CREWS RETIRES FROM IP BOARD
Rev. Dr. Warren Crews to retire from Interfaith Partnership (IP) Board. After more than 14 years of service to IP Dr. Crews will retire from the IP Board this December. Dr. Ghazala Hayat of the Islamic Foundation of St. Louis will succeed him as President of IP. Dr. Crews recently stated that, "Interfaith Partnership is headed in the right direction, and now is the time to step down and make way for new people." Along with Dr. Crews, several other longtime Board members will cycle off the Board (more details forthcoming). Dr. Crews has agreed to serve on the Faith Beyond Walls (FBW) Board and looks forward to assisting FBW and IP in realizing their vision of an interfaith center.2005 INTERFAITH MUSIC EVENT COMING IN MARCH
Hold the date:
March 13th at 3:00 p.m.
14th Annual Interfaith Music EventTemple Israel
#1 Rabbi Alvan D. Rubin Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63141More details forthcoming!
Abraham's Children (AC) News
Interfaith Partnership has been awarded two grants, one from the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFFH) to support health advocacy through our public issues committee, and the other from the Incarnate Word Foundation to support general health programming of Abraham's Children. These funds will assist in our efforts to more efficiently and effectively mobilize the faith community around health care issues and advocacy. Thank you to all the active Abraham's Children congregations, dedicated health advocates, and concerned PIC members for all you do! We also sincerely thank the MFFH and Incarnate Word Foundation for their support.
AC Upcoming Events
The next health advocates meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 15, at 12:30pm at the Interfaith Partnership office. RSVP to Kassandra Alcaraz at 314-531-4787.Healthy Mind-Body-Spirit (HMBS) News
Nearly fifty people attended "An Evening of Song and Sharing" on Friday, October 29, at Friendly Temple MBC. The program consisted of personal testimonials from individuals affected by mental illness and inspirational music from the Friendly Temple choir. Afterwards attendees enjoyed refreshments and had the opportunity to speak directly with mental health and social service professionals. Thanks to all of the courageous people who willingly shared their stories of faith for this unique event.On Saturday, October 30, Lane Tabernacle CME Church hosted a "Spirituality and Health" seminar. The event featured sessions on Stress Management, Death and Dying, Care for the Caregiver, and Missionaries and Health. The event drew dozens of attendees interested in a holistic approach to health and wellness. Thanks to all who participated in making this event a success.
A "Cancer Prevention Day for the Community" was held at Friendly Temple MBC on Saturday, November 6. Twenty-three women received mammograms, and 20 men were screened for prostate cancer. The event also provided free colon risk assessments, oral cancer screenings, blood pressure checks, massage therapy, healthy cooking demonstration and taste testing, and an array of health information.
HMBS Upcoming Events
Sunday, December 5 - Ask the Doctor Day at Friendly Temple MBC (5508 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112) - 1:30pm to 2:45pm
- Ask the questions you always wanted to ask.
- Learn how to better manage your health.
- Obtain useful health tips from physicians and other health professionals.
- Refreshments will be provided.
- Contact Kassandra Alcaraz at 314-531-4787 for more information.
Tuesday, December 14 - HMBS Clergy Forum at the Salad Bowl (3949 Lindell, St. Louis, MO 63108) - 11:30am to 1:30pm
- Hear a one-year progress report on the HMBS project.
- Learn how to connect your congregation to resources to support your health initiatives. Find out how your congregation can be selected to participate in Healthy Mind-Body-Spirit.
- RSVP required. Contact Kassandra Alcaraz at 314-531-4787 for more information.
KIMBROUGH CONCLUDES 2004 "I DARE YOU TOUR"
In 2004, Executive Director Orvin Kimbrough spoke with more than 60, congregations, organizations, and groups about the important issues before our region and the role that people of faith must play to ease suffering, foster learning, and promote acceptance. Each message was customized to meet the needs of the group yet laced with "his dare" challenging people to get more involved in strengthening faith, sharing faith and serving community. Kimbrough vows to continue advancing the mission and vision of IP and FBW in 2005 by encouraging people of faith to "Get in Where You Fit in". If your congregation, or group would like to extend a 2005 speaking invitation please contact Irene Randall at (314) 531-4787.If you are not on the mailing list sign up and receive a copy of this year's poem, "I Dare You" written by Orvin Kimbrough.
Celebrating 20 Years of Strengthening Faith, Sharing Faith, and Serving Faithfully