Friday, November 6, 2009

Living Waters for Dry Times - Interfaith Event

An important interfaith event will take place in Stamford this Sunday from 2-5 at the First United Methodist Church, 42 Cross Road, in Stamford.

It is entitled: "LIVING WATER FOR DRY TIMES; Faith Communities Meeting the Needs of Stamford."

Religious communities from all over Stamford will come together to be inspired by one of America’s greatest preachers, and address how they might work together to meet the increased needs of this city during hard times. LIVING WATER FOR DRY TIMES is the brainchild of the Rev. Doug McArthur, senior pastor the First United Methodist Church, and is sponsored by the InterFaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. James Forbes, Senior Pastor Emeritus of Riverside Church in New York City, and founder of the Healing of the Nations Foundation.

Participants will gather to hear Rev. Forbes speak, and then break into sessions dealing with health, education, housing and employment. The design team has invited Stamford experts in each of these fields to serve on panels and help guide the discussion toward practical actions that faith communities can help undertake. Participants will choose one break-out session to attend, and will be invited to be part of “solution roundtables” after hearing from the panelists.

The Housing panel will include Congressman Jim Himes (4th CD), Joan Carty (Housing Development Fund) and Ross Burkhardt (New Neighborhoods). The Employment panel comprises Kip Bergstrom (Urban Development League), Jack Condlin (Stamford Chamber of Commerce) and Tom Failla (Norwalk Community College). Education will be addressed by Eileen Swerdlick (Stamford Public Schools, ret), Michael Duggan (Domus) and Peggy Sarkela (Reach Prep), and Mary Judge.

Rregister online at http://livingwaterforstamford.eventbrite.com/

The planning team includes: Rabbi Joshua Hammerman; the Revs. Kate Heichler, Tommie Jackson, Cari Jackson, Mark Lingle, Doug McArthur, Juan Paniagua, Leroy Parker and Mary Thies; Michael Hyman (Domus); Deborah Katz (Stamford Public Health); Phil McKain (CTE); and Eileen Swerdlick (Stamford Public Schools, retired).

Regrettably, a funeral will now prevent me from attending this important event - it is my deep hope that the Jewish community will be well-represented. And also join me at our monthly "Learning and Latte" interfaith discussion at Borders, this coming Tuesday at 7:30 PM.

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