Welcome to the fifth issue of In the Spirit, a monthly newsletter created to share news of the Charleston Interreligious Council (CIC) and other interfaith events held in metro Charleston, SC.
It was a busy month for the Charleston Interreligious Council as it prepared for Interfaith Harmony Month:January 2020! The CIC hosted two major events on December 30: A morning
Proclamation at City Council Chambersand an evening Kick off event,
A Gathering of Faiths in Charleston. Both events were a great success and brought awareness to the importance of spreading respect, sensitivity, tolerance and understanding among all people. The proclamation was read by children from 12 different religious traditions. Click
herefor pictures from this monumental event.
Please see all events held during
Interfaith Harmony Month here. All events are free and open to the public.
Food and Faith IV
January 27, 2020 at 6:30pm
The Charleston Interreligious Council is hosting its fourth annual Food and Faith program on Monday, January 27 at 6:30pm.
Join community members for a conversation about cultural and religious similarities and divergences between Jews and Muslims regarding female leadership in the medical profession.
The program begins with dialogue between Dr. Reshma Khan, a member of the Central Mosque of Charleston, and Dr. Arlene Shawinsky Rosenthal, a member of Dor Tikvah, a modern Orthodox congregation. It will be moderated by Mary Ellen Giess, senior director of the Interfaith Youth Core.
Following the moderated discussions, attendees will form breakout groups and discuss issues including comparing Jewish and Muslim prayers, rituals, scriptures and concepts of charity, as well as participant-sourced topics. Discussions will coincide with a sampling of traditional Jewish (Kosher) foods and Halal dishes from the Muslim world.
Click
here for a flyer and
here for more information.
Admission is free and all are welcome!
CIC hosts event honoring diverse religious backgrounds
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — There was a history lesson on Monday in Charleston’s faith-based communities. People gathered that night to celebrate religion in the Holy City as the next decade arrives.
The Charleston Interreligious Council (CIC) hosted a “Gathering of Faiths” at Seacoast Church in West Ashley to bring people together under one roof. Organizers said it’s a historical evening in the Holy City.“
We live in a society where our neighbors come from different places and different backgrounds and have a different understanding of the world,” said President of CIC Dena Moses.Moses said over twenty religious groups were invited to attend and honor Interfaith Harmony Month. For the first time, Mayor Tecklenburg proclaimed January Interfaith Harmony Month in Charleston. People attending said this event was all about bringing people together.“
A lot of people have been asking about Judaism and what it is, and asking about the recent violence that’s been happening. And I explained the fact that were all in this room and learning about these faith traditions means that we're leaving with a sense of community,” said Robin Shuler.
For some, it’s important that people are embracing religions that are unknown to them.“Charleston is a place and space where we have people moving here daily from different religious traditions as well, and I think we need to be a community of understanding and love,” said Moses.
Cornbread and okra soup was prepared by Gullah chef Charlotte Jenkins and people attending were able to try some for free, while stopping by various booths around the church. The event was free and open to the public.
Peace among religions is a precondition for world peace.--- Swami Agnivesh
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The Charleston Interreligious Council (formerly the Christian Jewish Council of Greater Charleston) is an organization that seeks to build bridges of understanding to promote sensitivity, tolerance, respect, and fellowship among religious groups.