Dec 28 Press Conference at State House Announcing Governor’s Proclamation

For Immediate Release: December 15, 2023

Interfaith Partners Dec 28 Press Conference at S.C. State House to Announce Governor’s Proclamation

COLUMBIA—South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has issued a proclamation declaring January 2024 to be S.C. Interfaith Harmony Month. A press conference to read the proclamation, share a calendar of statewide events in January, and to take questions from the media will be held on Thursday, December 28, at 11:00 AM in the rotunda lobby of the S.C. State House.

S.C. Interfaith Harmony Month began in 2013 as a project of Interfaith Partners of South Carolina (IPSC) to offer a highly-diverse series of programs and religious services which enable visitors to learn about the many religions practiced in South Carolina. Events range from regular congregation, mosque, temple and synagogue services welcoming guests, to open house tours of historic church buildings, celebration of the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., labyrinth walk, new moon outdoor ritual, lectio divina, anniversary celebration of the founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), panel discussions and information programs. This year a special virtual event will feature a panel with the current minister of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston in dialogue with the rabbi of Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, both sites of tragic mass shootings in recent years (Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 PM). A full calendar of events is given below, or may be viewed at www.interfaithpartnersofsc.org.

Interfaith Partners of South Carolina brings together people of diverse religious, spiritual, and secular paths throughout our state to cultivate relationships of friendship, respect, and trust among people of diverse religious and secular paths, building a more harmonious community. Since 2011 Interfaith Partners of South Carolina has held out a model of compassionate collaboration among people who differ in beliefs but embrace each other as fellow humans. IPSC is a registered 501c3 nonprofit, and all-volunteer. Our board includes, in addition to at-large members of any faith, permanent seats for representatives of these faiths: Baha’i’, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, New Thought, Pagan, Sikh, and Unitarian Universalist.

IPSC does not engage in partisan or political activities but encourages our members to learn the skills of active listening and how to engage in meaningful dialogue. At IPSC events the only rule is that we welcome all, respect each other’s beliefs and do not promote our own as a preferred alternative. In a time when public conversations are increasingly shrill, often hateful, even threatening, IPSC is working towards a safer, more harmonious community for all South Carolinians. Other IPSC services include:

• Speakers and panelists – Upon request, we will do our best to provide knowledgeable individuals for programs.
• Emergency hotline – For any individual, congregation or faith group experiencing harassment, vandalism or violence: 1-888-849-1513 or email us at ipsc@interfaithpartnersofsc.org.
• Referrals – Referrals to a wide range of religious groups, or to individuals who may provide comment on a news or feature story.

All events are free and open to the public. Contact pio@interfaithpartnersofsc.org or 1-888-849-1513 with any questions.