Launched in September 2014, the West Michigan Interfaith Council is a vibrant initiative of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute and its partners - including congregations, nonprofits, universities, secular organizations, and individuals. Now in its fifth year, convened with the resources and expertise of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, the West Michigan Interfaith Council provides a healthy space for relationships to grow, explores issues that affect our community, and develops interfaith efforts and service opportunities to make West Michigan safe, healthy, and welcoming to all!

What Are We About?

We strive to cultivate broad community engagement through deep dialogue, long-term partnerships, shared service experiences, and bridge-building between diverse traditions in West Michigan. Holding the belief that religion can be a tool for peace, the goal is to inspire cooperation and meaningful action between various religious and non-religious communities. We aim to empower our community to not only serve our neighbors, but to get to know one another in authentic relationships that will lead to understanding, cooperation, and a greater impact on our community’s most pressing issues. 

The Interfaith Council affords its institutional members (organizations and congregations) the opportunity to connect with neighbors of diverse spiritual, secular, and religious traditions; to develop relationships of mutual support and solidarity; and to focus our collective time and energy towards issues that we believe are important to address as the interfaith community of West Michigan.

Representatives

To ensure a sustained partnership, we ask that each of our institutional members (organizations and congregations) designate a primary contact person and commit to sending at least one representative to each meeting of the Interfaith Council.

Annual Contribution

Additionally, we ask that each of our institutional members makes an annual contribution of $200 for organizations and congregations, or $50 for individuals, as an investment in our collective work. These funds help supplement the initiatives and projects of the Interfaith Council.  

Congregational Members

• Baha'i Faith
• Cathedral of Saint Andrew / Diocese of Grand Rapids
• Grand Rapids Friends Meeting
• Plymouth United Church of Christ
• Reformed Church of America
• St. Mark's Episcopal Church
• Trinity United Methodist Church
• Westminster Presbyterian Church

Organizational Members

• Access of West Michigan
• Faith Hospice
• Kaufman Interfaith Institute

Individual Members

• Carol Robinson