Programming

In addition to the programs described here, a number of other programs are under consideration.

·         “Fast With Us So Others May Eat” – Held during Ramadan (mid-July/mid-August), this event invited non-Muslims to join Muslim neighbors in fasting and supporting hunger programs in Winston-Salem.  Muslims invited their neighbors to participate in iftars (the meal ending the daily fast), both in their homes and at the mosques.  A few non-Muslims fasted for the full month.  More than 1,000 pounds of nonperishable foods and over $1,000 was raised to support programs of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina.  Articles about “Fast With Us So Others May Eat” were published in the Winston-Salem Journal, the Winston-Salem Chronicle and the Huffington Post.

·         “Interfaith Contemplatives” – Several individuals who follow a variety of meditative and contemplative practices will gather Sept. 18 to explore coming together to pursue meditation as part of an interfaith small group.

·         Interfaith Storytelling Festival – This event is free to the public and will be held 4-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.  The focus is on the importance of story in our faith journeys.  Storytellers leading sessions include Renee Andrews, who has appeared at the National Black Theatre Festival; Judy Willis, whose work has been broadcast by NPR; Hanadi Rashad, a teacher at the Annoor Islamic Center; Rabbi Mark Strauss-Cohn of Temple Emanuel; Imam Khalid Griggs of the Community Mosque; John (the Baptist) Ashburn of Knollwood Baptist Church; and Ed Kilbourne, a singer/folk theologian who has made more than 8,000 solo appearances over the last 40 years.  A meal is to be provided by members of several faith traditions (donations accepted).

·        “Interfaith Appreciation: Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism” -- On the first three Tuesday nights in February (5, 12, 19), Dr. Michelle Voss Roberts of the Wake Forest Divinity School will deliver lectures at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem.  The one-hour lectures begin at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a 30-minute discussion/question period.  The event is open to the public at no charge.

·         “An Introduction to Buddhist Meditation” – Dr. Peter Lichstein, who was born Jewish, baptized Episcopalian and practices Buddhism, will describe Buddhist meditation and lead attendees in meditation exercises.  No date has been set.

·         “A Hindu-Christian Encounter” – After returning from India early next year, Dr. Michelle Voss Roberts’ class at the Wake Forest School of Divinity will offer a program including presentations on 1) the history of Indian Christianity, 2) positive interactions between Christianity and Indian-Hindu culture and 3) cultural challenges faced by the Indian church.

Interfaith Winston-Salem is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

IT/Web-Based Learning

·         Interfaith Winston-Salem is making growing use of the Internet through its website (www.if-ws.org), Facebook at twitter. 

·         The website includes synopses of two books (“Acts of Faith” by Eboo Patel and “12 Steps to a Compassionate Life” by Karen Armstrong) plus reprints of “Wisdom, Bliss and Common Sense” written by Darshani (Shirley) Deane.

Legal/Financial

·         In August, Interfaith Winston-Salem received certification as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

·         With assistance in November from Nan Griswold, former executive director of the Second Harvest Food Bank, Interfaith Winston-Salem will develop a fundraising plan for 2013.