2015 proclaimed as the Year of Interfaith Service

A unique partnership led by Grand Valley State University’s Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute will work with various community organizations, student groups and congregations to promote a year-long initiative of interfaith service.

During a September 11 luncheon, Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, along with members of participating organizations, proclaimed 2015 as the Year of Interfaith Service at the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids.

The goal of the initiative is to reach beyond discussion and education of religious customs and serve alongside those from various traditions to promote the common good.

“While our diverse religious and non-religious identities hold many qualities that make us unique, we also all value community service and helping others,” said Katie Gordon, Kaufman Interfaith Institute program manager. “We want 2015 to show that religion can be used as a force for good in our communities and hopefully around the world.”

During the 2015 Year of Interfaith Service, various congregations around West Michigan will participate in community service activities, including interfaith builds with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at homeless shelters in the Grand Rapids Heartside district, donation drives for Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, park maintenance and cleanup with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and much more.

The 2015 Year of Interfaith Service is an extension of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute’s 2012 Year of Interfaith Understanding, which saw a year of more than 300 events take place, all with the central aim of exploring commonalities and differences in the religions of the world.

For more information about how to get involved with the 2015 Year of Interfaith Service, email [email protected].