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.
The Charleston Interreligious Council is proud to announce its newest initiative:
The CIC Youth Core. The CIC Youth Core will host various events throughout the year, offering the opportunity for youth of different faiths to get to know one another.
The first such event will be held on February 22 in partnership with Habitat for Humanity's Faith Build. Youth (ages 12-18) from the Christian (Episcopal), Hindu and New Thought (Unity) traditions will work together to help build a home for a family in need. The CIC is delighted to partner with Charleston Habitat for Humanity fo this gathering of youth. Charleston Habitat builds more than homes. Through the power of homeownership, they change lives. They believe that every hand can make a difference and Faith Build presents an opportunity for diverse communities to come together to build a home with a local family through prayer, volunteerism and financial support. It is their firm belief that every faith can be put into action, that together we have an opportunity to build not just a home, but unity. We can think of no better reason to gather a group of young people from diverse traditions.
See more information about the CIC Youth Core Faith Build
here.
Food and Faith IV
Members of the Charleston community joined people of various faith traditions for a conversation about faith and female leadership in the medical profession at the CIC's fourth annual Food and Faith program on Monday, January 27.
Dr. Reshma Khan, a member of the Central Mosque of Charleston, and founder of the Charleston based Shifa Clinic, and Dr. Arlene Shawinsky Rosenthal, member of Jewish synagogue Dor Tikvah and local pediatrician and spoke honestly and openly about their faith and their professions.
The two doctors answered questions about the importance of their faith in their work and caring for people of all faiths. In speaking about the most recent violence against synagogues and Jewish people, Dr. Shawinsky Rosenthal talked about the need to "adjust to the new norm of police cars outside the synagogue during worship services" and the great need to "continue trying to educating people that Jews and Muslims are firstly people like everyone else, and not be shy about their faith." She treats everyone the same in her profession, irregardless of their faith and she hopes that everyone would do the same in their encounters with others.
Dr, Khan, in responding to the question about how her faith tradition had a role in her calling to be a doctor, said that although she did not initially connect her calling to her faith, she now sees that her vocation "is more linked with my faith than anything else. It is a way to please God and to serve him. What better way to serve him than to serve the creation?"
Mary Ellen Giess, senior director of the Interfaith Youth Core moderated the event.
Following the moderated discussion, attendees formed breakout groups and discussed issues including prayer, rituals, scriptures and concepts of charity, women in leadership, etc. Attendees also enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the Jewish and Muslim communities of Charleston.
On Saturday, March 14, 2020 the Shifa Clinic is hosting its 9th Annual Fundraising Banquet. Please join us in supporting this very important community offering.
The Shifa Clinic has been helping families and individuals in need that have been neglected and overlooked. The Charleston community has families who are going hungry everyday, elderly without health insurance who need Medication to survive, and women who are being thrown out of their homes with no support. These are our neighbors that are in need of your help and we must stand united to be able to do so.
For more information and to register for the event, please click
here.
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.