Invitation to 2024 Annual Meeting

Please join us for
Interfaith Partners of S.C.
2024 Annual Meeting & Reception
Sunday, November 17 at 3:00 PM

With special thanks to USC’s Interfaith A-Z student group for hosting us in the beautiful Capstone Campus Room 101, 898 Barnwell Street in Columbia

We are so pleased that Dr. Adrian Bird, our dear friend and former chair, will be with us and will present the keynote address. Scroll down to read more about Adrian.*

This is one of the most important gatherings of the year for IPSC: a reunion, a reception, inspiration, updates, and our annual business meeting at which we will receive and vote on the 2025 slate of officers and directors.

This year we are inviting you to bring a finger food or snack to share. IPSC will have drinks, napkins, etc. If you can bring something please let Libby know at eahendley@gmail.com to help with planning.

The Capstone Building is just across the street from where we met last year. Scroll down for directions.** Please plan to be there no later than 3:00 to hear Adrian speak!

*Adrian Bird, Ph.D., is university chaplain for Queens University in Charlotte, N.C.

Born and raised in England, Bird spent many years living and working in a variety of international and cross-cultural settings, including Zimbabwe, India, the United Kingdom and the United States, prior to completing his Ph.D. in global Christianity at the University of Edinburgh. He now calls Charlotte home and lives with his wife, Julie, a Presbyterian pastor, and their children, Nathan and Lydia.

“My life has been an incredible adventure, and I’ve been inspired by the stories and experiences of those I have had the privilege to encounter,” said Bird. “That adventure now continues at Queens, as I journey alongside students, faculty, and staff to shape a community that thrives and fosters a sense of belonging.”

Within the realm of spiritual life at Queens, Bird appreciates the value of drawing from the spiritual wells of one’s tradition, while learning from, engaging with, and building community alongside those who draw from different spiritual and cultural wells.

A passionate activist and advocate within the interfaith movement, Bird served for many years as the chair of interfaith partners of South Carolina, and currently serves as the secretary of MeckMIN. He taught for 10 years at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, teaching courses in Christian history and interreligious encounters.

This year, Bird has been teaching in the philosophy and religion department at Queens, leading courses in Biblical studies and global religions. His pedagogy centers on empowering students to be creatively engaged while building interfaith bridges to make positive impacts within the community.

Bird uses his prior interfaith experience to work closely with student groups to help coordinate and celebrate diverse cultural and religious events on campus and beyond. Over the past few months, Belk Chapel hosted various events including a celebration of Diwali and the Moravian Love Feast. During Presbyterian and Pluralist week, Belk Chapel collaborated with a host of partners to create an array of programs and events, including a Rangoli art project, “Soul Food Shabbat,” “Interfaith Invisibility in Higher Education,” “Buddhist Meditation,” “A Muslim-Christian Dialogue on Mary of Nazareth,” and “Countering Islamophobia.”

“We have incredible and remarkably gifted students at Queens, yet the multi-faceted pressures they face are tangibly real over the rhythms of the academic year,” said Bird. “I want students to know that Belk Chapel is a safe and brave space where students can come to regain balance between their mind, body, and spirit – a place where they can always find spiritual nourishment.” (courtesy Queens University)

** Directions to Capstone Building (parking on street)

From downtown Columbia, take Assembly Street south from Elmwood, turn left onto Pendleton Street, turn right on Barnwell Street, and Capstone will be almost immediate on your left.