West Michigan Interfaith Council
Launched in September 2014, the West Michigan Interfaith Council is a vibrant initiative of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute and its partners - including congregations, non-profits, universities, secular organizations, and individuals. Now in it's 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!
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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.
Next Luncheon Date: January 23, 2020
The Interfaith Council Luncheon takes place on the 4th Thursday* of the month from 11:30 am-1:30 pm at the Dominican Center at Marywood (2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids, MI 49503).
If you are interested in attending the next luncheon, either as an individual or organizational participant, we'd be thrilled for you to join us!
Membership is not required to attend. There is no cost, but a $10 donation is appreciated to offset the cost of lunch.
*There may be some exceptions due to religious holidays.
Membership in the Interfaith Council
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 (organizations and congregations) make an annual contribution of $200 as an investment in our collective work. These funds go to offset the cost of our monthly luncheons and help supplement the initiatives and projects of the Interfaith Council.
Become A Member Today!
To become a partner in this vital work as an institutional member (organization or congregation), click HERE to sign up!
Checks can be made out to "Kaufman Interfaith Institute at GVSU" with "Interfaith Council" in the memo line.
Mail to:
Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences
301 Michigan St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Share Your Event
If your congregation or organization is hosting an event that you would like us to share, please use this form to let us know!
2019 West Michigan Interfaith Council Members
Congregational Members
- All Souls Community Church
- Baha'i Community of Grand Rapids
- Cathedral of Saint Andrew / Diocese of Grand Rapids
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Dominican Sisters - Grand Rapids
- Grand Rapids Friends Meeting
- Islamic Mosque & Religious Institute (Masjid At-Tawheed)
- St. Mark's Episcopal Church
- Temple Emanuel
- Trinity Lutheran Church
- Trinity United Methodist Church
- Westminster Presbyterian Church
Organizational Members
- Campus Interfaith Resources
- Center for Inquiry Michigan
- Emmanuel Hospice
- Faith Hospice
- Interfaith Dialogue Association
- Kaufman Interfaith Institute
- Making Choices Michigan
- Mercy Health St Mary's
- Micah Center