Interfaith Week 2015

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2015 EVENT

For the second year in a row, the City of St. Petersburg will officially recognize Interfaith Week — a chance to see how the rest of your community practices religion and spirituality in a casual, open, educational setting.

During Interfaith Week, individuals and families are encouraged to visit the many churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, meditation centers and spiritual communities in St. Petersburg to gain a better understanding of the people, values, beliefs, practices and cultures that make up our dynamic and beautiful city.

This year, the event will run from September 13-20 and include free panel and roundtable discussions at various campuses and venues including such topics as: the future of religion, racial equality, dialogue and listening, spiritual growth and faith development, meditation and yoga practice, community service and more.

This year’s Interfaith Week will include:

• Panel discussions, workshops, film screenings, music, food and more!
• An official Interfaith Week proclamation by St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman.
• Keynote presentations from Ruth Broyde Sharone (Co-Chair, Southern California Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions) and Cynthia Lukas (Heaven on Earth Creations).
• Musical performances by Rev. Dr. Lori Cardona and Rev. Dr. Grace Telesco (Sacred Journey Interfaith Seminary).
• Screenings of the acclaimed independent films Why God and Allah Need to Talk and Globalized Soul.
• “America, Religion and Citizenship” — a panel discussion and luncheon hosted by Eckerd College featuring Rev. Libby Shannon, Rev. Russell Meyer, Dr. Frank Tedesco, Imam Abdul Q. Aziz, Sepideh Eskandari and moderated by Rev. Doug McMahon and Imam Abdul Karim Ali.
• “Racial Unity and Equality” — a panel discussion at the Baha’i Center with Bishop Preston Leonard, Dr. Kerry McCord, Martha Williams and more, moderated by Lauren Haddad Friedman (USF).
• “Meditation, Tea and Dharma” — a workshop with Rev. Shinkyo Will Warner (Buddhist) at Leafy Greens Cafe featuring silent and chanting meditation, followed by tea service and a discussion on the Lotus Sutra.
• “Soul Fire” — a yoga and meditation workshop with Katherine Taylor Robinson and Sarah Trinler.
• Open houses and involvement from various faith communities including those of the Baha’i, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Christian Science, Episcopal, Interspiritual, Jewish, Muslim, Taoist, Unitarian Universalist, Unity and more.

St. Pete Interfaith Week continues to promote a message of conversation, compassion, peace and pluralism and holds our city up as an example of a community based on mutual respect, cooperation and collaboration.

2015 SPONSORS

     

     

INTERFAITH WEEK CALENDAR

All official Interfaith Week events are free of charge and open to the public.

Thursday, September 10

FEATURED EVENT:
Official Interfaith Week Proclamation: 3-5 p.m.
St Petersburg City Hall
175 5th St N, St Petersburg, FL 33701

Sunday, September 13

Bahá’í Center of St. Petersburg (Bahá’í)
676 2nd Avenue S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Devotions and discussion: 10:30 a.m.

First Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science/Christian)
6333 First Street North East, St. Petersburg, FL 33703
Service: 10:30 a.m.

First Unity at Unity Campus (New Thought/Christian)
460 46th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33703
Service(s): 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Shambhala St. Pete (Buddhist)
1045 9th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Sunday Community Practice: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. – Extended sitting and walking meditation, meditation instruction at 11 a.m., followed by soup and salad in the Community Room.

Saint Augustine Episcopal (Christian)
2920 26th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 (adjacent to Boyd Hill Nature Center)
Service: 9 a.m. – A Spirit-filled multi-cultural Liturgical Christian worship service with jazz musicians, followed by a full breakfast and roundtable conversations.

Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace (Catholic)
515 Fourth St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Regular Mass: 8 and 11 a.m.

St. Petersburg Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
130 19th Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Adult Discussion Group: 9:30 a.m.; Meeting for Worship: 10:30 a.m, First Day School for Children: 10:40 a.m. Traditional silent Quaker worship.

Temple Beth-El (Jewish)
400 Pasadena Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33707
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service: 7:30 p.m.

Trinity UCC Campus (Christian)
1150 49th Street N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Lao Ministry of St. Petersburg: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Laotian)
Anointed Word Fellowship: 10-11:30 a.m.
Trinity United Church of Christ (Contemporary): 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Iglesia Pentecostal Cielos Abiertos: 1:30-4:30 p.m. (Spanish)

Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Pete (Unitarian/Universalist)
719 Arlington Ave. N., St. Pete, FL 33701
Discussion Group: 9:30 a.m.
Service: 10:30 a.m., “The Interfaith Way: The Modern Path of Spiritual Growth and Faith Development”

Monday, September 14

FEATURED EVENT:
Meditation, Tea and Dharma (Workshop) with Rev. Shinkyo Will Warner (Buddhist)
Leafy Greens Cafe; 1626 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
A 20-30 minute meditation using the structure of Shodaigyo (silent and chanting meditation), followed by tea service and a group discussion about the Lotus Sutra. 7-8 p.m.

Temple Beth-El (Jewish)
Rosh Hashanah Morning Service: 10 a.m.

Tuesday, September 15

Bahá’í Center of St. Petersburg (Bahá’í)
Spiritual Conversations: 7:30 p.m. (Bahá’í concepts like Divine unity, progressive revelation, history of the Faith, equality and more.)

St. Pete Life Improvement Center (Scientology)
336 1st Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33701
Open house and tour, featuring the video “What is Scientology?” including a filmed interview with L.Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. 2-4 p.m. (followed by Q&A and refreshments).

Temple Beth-El (Jewish)
Rosh Hashanah Second Morning Service: 10 a.m.

Wednesday, September 16

FEATURED EVENT:
“America, Religion and Citizenship” (Panel Discussion and Luncheon) with Rev. Libby Shannon, Rev. Russell Meyer, Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, Dr. Frank Tedesco, Imam Abdul Q. Aziz, Sepideh Eskandari. Moderated by Rev. Doug McMahon and Imam Abdul Karim Ali.
What does it mean to be a good citizen in a religiously diverse city? And how might religion play a part in our future?
Eckerd College; President’s Dining Room; 4200 54th Ave S, St Petersburg, FL 33711
Noon-2 p.m.; limited seating; REGISTER HERE.

“Faith Lessons from the World’s Truth and Wisdom Traditions” (Discussion) with Rev. Jack Donovan
Texts: Unitarians and Universalists in America (John Buehrens); Anthology of World Scriptures (R.E. Van Voorst); The Meaning of Human Existence (E.O. Wilson). Limited capacity; RSVP by calling (727) 898-7294 or (352) 327-6166.
Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg; 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

First Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science/Christian)
Testimony Service: Noon and 7:30 p.m.

First Unity at Unity Campus (New Thought/Christian)
Meditation and Healing Service: 6-7 p.m.
Led by John DeRugeris, a certified Medical Qigong practitioner, Reiki Master, and yoga & meditation instructor.

Trinity UCC Campus (Christian)
Kids Art Nite: 6-8 p.m.
Resident artist, Morgan Wright, offers art classes to community children each Wednesday. A fun and supervised event for all!

Thursday, September 17

FEATURED EVENT:
“Racial Unity and Equality” (Panel Discussion) with Bishop Preston Leonard, Dr. Kerry McCord, Martha Williams, more TBD. Moderated by Lauren Haddad Friedman (USF).
Baha’i Center; 7-8:30 p.m.
Various interfaith leaders will discuss one of the most challenging issues facing America – racial equality – and the various religious teachings about unity through diversity.

Shambhala St. Pete (Buddhist)
Interfaith Recovery Night with Eric Rainbeau: 6-8 p.m. – How do we bridge the two separate paths of Recovery and Buddhism? The spiritual principles of Twelve Step programs transcend any one religion or belief structure. The Shambhala teachings help us to understand our own basic goodness, so that we can face the world free from addiction and negative habits. Anonymous and confidential.

Friday, September 18

FEATURED EVENT:
Soul Fire: Yoga and Meditation (Workshop) with Katherine Taylor Robinson and Sarah Trinler
Inner State Yoga; 780 4th Ave S, St Petersburg, FL 33701
Detox, release, align and thrive! Tap into your inner Truth and Wisdom with chakra toning, breathing exercises, mudras, mantras, visualization, meditation and yoga. 6-8 p.m.

Temple Beth-El (Jewish)
Shabbat Shuvah & Tashlich Service on the Beach: 6:30 p.m.
Elva Rouse Park on North Shore Dr between 10th and 13th Ave NE. – Parking and restrooms available, 5:30 picnic in the park before services.

Saturday, September 19

FEATURED EVENT:
Globalized Soul (Film screening)
plus discussion with producer Cynthia Lukas
Interfaith Kirtan with Rev. Dr. Lori Cardona and Rev. Dr. Grace Telesco (Sacred Journey Interfaith Seminary)
Unity Campus, 5-8 p.m.

Integral Church (Interfaith/Interspiritual)
“Beyond the Page” Book Club: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Discussion: The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety by Alan Watts
Community Cafe, 2444 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, Florida 33712

Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace (Catholic)
Vigil Mass: 4 p.m.

Taoist Tai Chi Society / Fung Loy Kok Institute for Taoism (Taoist/Buddhist/Confucian)
1811 Dr MLK Jr St N. St Petersburg, FL 33704.
Taoist chanting every Saturday morning: 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Temple Beth-El (Jewish)
Shabbat Morning Service: 10 a.m.

“New Beginnings Community Worship” (Christian/Recovery)
Sponsored by First Presbyterian Church
Beacon House, 2151 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
Service: 5:30 p.m. A light meal is served after worship.

Sunday, September 20

FEATURED EVENT:
Why God and Allah Need to Talk (Film Screening)
plus keynote presentation with Ruth Broyde Sharone
Interfaith Week Closing Ceremony with Ruth Broyde Sharone, Joran Oppelt, Jan Magray, Vandana Dillon and more
Unity Campus
3:30-5:30 p.m.

Bahá’í Center of St. Petersburg (Bahá’í)
Devotions and discussion: 10:30 a.m.

First Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science/Christian)
Service: 10:30 a.m.

First Unity at Unity Campus (New Thought/Christian)
Service(s): 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Integral Church (Interfaith/Interspiritual)
Crisp Park, 37th Ave. NE. and Poplar St. NE., St. Petersburg, Florida 33704
Outdoor, interfaith service: 10 a.m.
Featuring music by Rev. Dr. Lori Cardona and Rev. Dr. Grace Telesco and meditation by Vandana Dillon
RSVP on Facebook

Shambhala St. Pete (Buddhist)
Sunday Community Practice: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sadhana (Advanced) Practice: 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Saint Augustine Episcopal (Christian)
Service: 9 a.m. – A Spirit-filled multi-cultural Liturgical Christian worship service with jazz musicians, followed by a full breakfast and roundtable conversations.

Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace (Catholic)
Regular Mass: 8 and 11 a.m.

St. Petersburg Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
130 19th Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Adult Discussion Group: 9:30 a.m.; Meeting for Worship: 10:30 a.m, First Day School for Children: 10:40 a.m. Traditional silent Quaker worship.

Trinity UCC Campus (Christian)
Lao Ministry of St. Petersburg: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Laotian)
Anointed Word Fellowship: 10-11:30 a.m.
Trinity United Church of Christ (Contemporary): 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Iglesia Pentecostal Cielos Abiertos: 1-4 p.m. (Spanish)

Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Pete (Unitarian/Universalist)
Discussion Group: 10 a.m.
Service: 10:30 a.m.

More events are being added, please check back again soon.

SUBMIT A PANEL, WORKSHOP OR PERFORMANCE

Submissions have closed. If you have any questions, or if you (or your community) are interested in being involved with Interfaith Week, please contact us.

TOOLS AND RESOURCES

2015 Interfaith Calendar: Diversity Awareness Project

Common Knowledge Podcast: Interfaith Youth Core

The Four “S’s” of Interfaith:
1. Sup together
2. Serve together
3. Study together
4. Seek together