2014 Interfaith Harmony Events

The public is warmly invited to each of these events held during South Carolina Interfaith Harmony Month (January) and through World Interfaith Harmony Week in February.    download print flyer

Tuesday, December 17
Governor Nikki Haley proclaims January 2014 is “South Carolina Interfaith Harmony Month.”

Thursday, January 2 – Buddhist
7:00 p.m.
“What the Buddha Taught and Why It Matters Today,” by Ven. Thubten Chonyi, an ordained Buddhist nun.
South Carolina Dharma Group, held at Seibels House, 1601 Richland St., Columbia, SC 29201. For more info: scdharma@gmail.com.

Thursday, January 9
 6:30 p.m. Snacks and socializing, Women of Many Faiths of Columbia
7:00 p.m. Brief Introduction to WOMF followed by facilitated sharing on “Showing Compassion to Others”
Baha’i Center, 2020 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201. For more info: 803-798-7116.

Sunday, January 12 – Christian-Methodist
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Pan-Methodist Campaign for Children in Poverty, Bishop Jack Meadors (ret.)
Shandon United Methodist Church, SUMC–Player Hall, 3407 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205.  For more info: 803-256-8383.

Sunday, January 12 – Christian-Methodist
9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Dialogue on compassion with the Dawsey Sunday School class and worship in the main sanctuary,
Fellowship and refreshments
Washington Street United Methodist Church
1401 Washington St, Columbia, SC 29201. For more info: 803-254-8405.

Wednesday, January 15 – Buddhist
7:00 p.m.
Introduction to Nichiren Buddhism
SC SGI-USA Buddhist Community Center, 228 O’Neil Ct., Columbia, SC 29223. For more info: 803-419-4551.

Saturday, January 18 – Baha’i
Baha’i Faith event TBA
For more info: 571-606-3068.

Sunday, January 19 – Sikh
11:00 a.m
Observance and Prayers
2:00 p.m. Vegetarian lunch
Sikh Religious Society of SC, 11419 Broad River Road, Chapin, SC 29036. For more info: 917-415-0464.

Thursday, January 23
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
“Women in Religion” Open forum with presentations from different faiths.
Hindu Temple of Greater Charleston, 1740 Jervey Ave, Charleston, SC 29407. For more info: 843-875-9753 or Shroff_Shaila@hotmail.com

Tuesday, January 28 – Jewish
6:00 p.m.
Three Rabbi Panel – “Keeping the Faith: How to address the growing trend of young Jews disassociating from our traditions, synagogues, and chuppahs.
Rabbi Jonathan Case, Rabbi Hesh Epstein, Rabbi Daniel Sherman, at USC Capstone, Carolina Room 17th Floor, light refreshments. Sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Jewish Studies Program, Hillel at USC, and the Young Adult Division of the Columbia Jewish Federation.

Saturday, February 1 – Pagan
6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Lights of Nut ceremony
Osireion (email holli@sc.rr.com for reservation, directions to a home location, and more info.

Sunday, February 2 – Unitarian Universalist
11:00 a.m. -12:00 noon
Water communion* as part of Sunday morning service (Eatin’ Meetin’ covered dish lunch to follow)
Clayton Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, 334 Clayton Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church Road, Newberry, SC 29108. For more info: (803) 345-0637.
*The Water Communion, also sometimes called Water Ceremony, was first used at a Unitarian Universalist (UU) worship service in the 1980s. Many UU congregations now hold a Water Communion once a year, often at the beginning of the new church year (September).  Members bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to them. During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special to them. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. It is often then blessed by the congregation, and sometimes is later boiled and used as the congregation’s “holy water” in child dedication ceremonies and similar events.

**  RESCHEDULED DATE TBA Sunday, February 2 – Hindu
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Introduction to Hindu Worship, (including vegetarian dinner)
Hindu Temple & Cultural Center, 5704 Kiawah Road, Columbia, SC 29212. For more info: (803) 781-9054.

Wednesday, February 5 – Buddhist
7:00 p.m.  (rescheduled from January 29 because of weather)
Introduction to Nichiren Buddhism
SC SGI-USA Buddhist Community Center, 228 O’Neil Ct., Columbia, SC 29223. For more info: 803-419-4551.

Friday, February 7
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Dances of Universal Peace
Inspired by various spiritual traditions, these dances help us awaken our awareness of the divine in others and in ourselves. After the dance, we socialize over refreshments.
2701 Heyward Street (Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia), Columbia SC 29205. For more info: (803) 743-0731.

Thursday, February 13 – Jewish
7:00 p.m.
“My Memories Made Me Jewish” – the USC 2014 Solomon Tenenbaum Lecture, Earnest F. Hollingsworth Library on USC-Columbia Campus.  Free and open to the public.

Sunday, February 23 – Jewish
3:00 p.m.
“The Return of the Violin” showing by Columbia Jewish Film Festival. Includes live performance and discussion.  USC School of Music, 2nd Floor, 813 Assembly Street.

Sunday, February 23 – Mormon
 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
” Mormonology 101″ program and concert, followed by open discussion
Columbia Stake Center of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4440 Jackson Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29209 (next to former Kmart). For more info: deborahhrobinson@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, February 26 – Muslim
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Introduction to Understanding Islam And Muslims
Presentation, open discussion and socialization with light food.
Masjid As-Salaam, 5119 Monticello Road, Columbia, S.C. 29203. For more info: 803-252-9477.

Sunday, March 9 – Christian-Lutheran
6:00 p.m.
Ebenezer Lutheran Church will host Interfaith Partners of South Carolina for Holden Evening Prayer in the Parish Life Center (corner of Sumter and Calhoun) in downtown Columbia. Holden Evening Prayer was composed by prolific Christian composer, Marty Haugen, while he was on sabbatical in Holden Village, a year-round Lutheran retreat center in Washington state. The service retains the ancient liturgy of vespers while using inclusive language. Ebenezer uses this liturgy on different evenings throughout the year. A prelude of “evening music” by interfaith participants will precede worship.span style=”font-size: small;”