Welcome to the fourth 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.
December 2019 : Issue 4
Upcoming Events
December 22, 4-6pm
Chanukah in the Square 2019 at Marion Square. Visit
here for more information.
December 22, 5-8pm
A Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols at St. Stephens Episcopal Church/
The Mayor of the City of Charleston will be proclaiming January
Interfaith Harmony Month for the City of Charleston on December 30, 2019, at
City of Charleston Council Chamber, 80 Broad Street. Please join us as we launch Interfaith Harmony in Charleston with a festive representation of Charleston faith traditions. Children from 12 different faiths will be reading the proclamation and music will be offered by
Heather Rice, Charleston jazz artist and songwriter.
Interfaith events for the month of January will be announced. This will be a meaningful way to cap off 2019 and begin 2020, in harmony, and for all the tri-county region to witness that harmony. We hope you can attend. More information can be found
here.
If you would like to host an Interfaith Harmony Month event, please email us at
info@CICouncil.org.
All events are free and open to the public. Please see more information on our website here and a copy of the flyer here.
A Gathering of Faiths in Charleston
December 30, 2019 at 6:30pm
The Charleston Interreligious Council is kicking off Interfaith Harmony Month with A Gathering of Faiths in Charleston, highlighting the deep history of faith in Charleston. The gathering will begin with an exhibit of 20 different faith traditions offering information about their history in Charleston. Participants will enjoy a light meal prepared by Gullah Geechee Chef Charlotte Jenkins while exploring the exhibit.
A historical lecture on religious history in Charleston will be offered by Damon Fordham, historian at the Citadel. During this lecture, participants will learn about great importance of the hope felt by enslaved people on December 31, 1862 as they kept "Watch Night" for the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. The evening will end with a Watch Night Service led by Reverend Kylon Middleton and Mt. Zion AME Church.
This event is held in partnership with the Charleston 350: A Celebration of Charleston's 350th Anniversary.
Click
here for a flyer and
here for more information.
All are welcome and the event is free to the public. Please join us!
Over 100 participants enjoyed the 2019 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
The Charleston Interreligious Council held its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at the Unitarian Church of Charleston on November 26. It was an awe-inspiring gathering, where representatives from the Episcopal, Unitarian, Jewish, AME, Muslim, non-denominational and Hindu communities participated through readings and prayers. Reverend David Messner offered the Homily encouraging efforts towards inclusion and harmony. The music was exceptional- A choir representing various faith traditions sang beautifully, and Peter O'Mally of the Charleston School of the Arts Symphony Youth Orchestra played the Cello. Participants donated over $1000.00 to the Lowcountry Food Bank!
Please join us next year! It will be held the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, More pictures can be found
here.
More news and events from the community
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Breaks Ground for New Hellenic Center
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church held a ground breaking ceremony for its activities and cultural center on Sunday, December 8. The location of Charleston's Greek Festival will begin building immediately, hoping to create a space for culture and activity for the community.
Ken Fox and Dena Moses enjoying time with Fr. Ari Damaskos of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. The CIC is grateful to Fr. Ari and Holy Trinity for its support.
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.