Our 2020 Theme -
Diverse Faiths: One Community
What's Coming Next -
For March 2020 we will be having a book study. "Why Did Jesus, Moses, The Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road” by Brian McLaren. See book write up below.
There will be three locations for the book study for March: 1. Wednesday Afternoons March 4, 11, 18, 25 - Forbes Insurance 9805 Foley Drive Belleville, IL 62223, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. 2. Thursday Evenings March 5, 12, 19, 26 - Cross Street Community of Christ Church 350 Tamarack Ln, Shiloh, IL 62269 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Rev. Lana Gilbert is the contact person and she can be reached at 618-660-7937; . 3. This venue will be post-poned as the Bahai' group and moderator are in the midst of holy day celebrations. They will reschedule their portion to a later date. Wednesday Afternoons - Edwardsville Library 112 S Kansas St, Edwardsville, Illinois 62025: 4th and 11th from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. and the 18th and 25th from 2 - 3 p.m. Roger is the contact person and he can be reached at 618-406-5320; please RSVP. -------------------------------------------------------------- ***PLEASE RSVP to: Rev. Lana Gilbert 618-660-7937 or on our Facebook Event Page: @MetroEastInterfaithPartnership 
From Amazon.com: When four religious leaders walk across the road, it's not the beginning of a joke. It's the start of one of the most important conversations in today's world.
Can you be a committed Christian without having to condemn or convert people of other faiths? Is it possible to affirm other religious traditions without watering down your own? In his most important book yet, widely acclaimed author and speaker Brian McLaren proposes a new faith alternative, one built on "benevolence and solidarity rather than rivalry and hostility." This way of being Christian is strong but doesn't strong-arm anyone, going beyond mere tolerance to vigorous hospitality toward, interest in, and collaboration with the other. Blending history, narrative, and brilliant insight, McLaren shows readers step-by-step how to reclaim this strong-benevolent faith, challenging us to stop creating barriers in the name of God and learn how affirming other religions can strengthen our commitment to our own. And in doing so, he invites Christians to become more Christ-like than ever before. Here is link to an article from NPR: https://www.npr.org/books/titles/160555460/why-did-jesus-moses-the-buddha-and-mohammed-cross-the-road-christian-identity-in Here is our 2020 Calendar: CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
*March – Book Study *April 2 - St. Jacob's Parish - Lent Service - Troy – Interfaith panel and hosted event in the evening; Dinner 6-6:45 and presentation to follow until 8 p.m. – Speaker and question presentation *April – 22 - Interfaith Partnership of St. Louis - Women’s Conference – hosted at a Mosque this year per Lana and a luncheon *May – open for now *June 19 – St. Clair County Building and Courthouse guided tour with Judges Heinz Rudolf and John O'Gara and a panel discussion on the intersection of religion in the local court system. *July – Go to Church with a Friend – Members are encouraged to go to different churches/faith traditions and report back (A Facebook post on MEIP is sufficient). It is preferred to have photos to post to the Facebook page with comments. *August – A Taste of Faith – event – at Father Carroll’s 401 Rev. Joseph Brown Boulevard, ESTL, IL – August 23rd Sunday Evening 3 – 5 p.m. *August – Festival of Nations – Interfaith of St. Louis Tent – Forest Park *Oct – 12th – Monday – Religious Freedom – Peacemaking Conference; 10 – 1 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints *Oct - Book Study *Oct – Fuller Center – Celebration of World Faiths (tentative) 2020 *Nov – Hindu Temple Tour; *Nov – Interfaith Partnership of St. Louis - Thanksgiving Activity *Dec – Open – no designated activity |
---------------------------------------------------------------
Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis EventsCalendar of Events in St. Louis area
For a calendar of religious holidays from many faith traditions, visit the Washington University calendar here. 
We are planning a November 2020 Bus Tour of the Hindu Temple in St. Louis. Stay tuned for more information. We will post updates as to the new date as soon as we get a new date worked out. Tentative Date: Nov. TBD 2020? - Hindu Temple Bus Tour - we will be sponsoring a Bus Tour of the Hindu Temple in St. Louis 725 Weidman Road, Ballwin, MO, United States. We will meet at the Cross Street Community of Christ Church at 1:00 p.m. We plan on attending a presentation by the Temple and then a tour of the premises will be conducted. We will be requesting $10 for each participant to help cover transportation costs. We expect to be back between 5-5:30 p.m. Please dress modestly out of respect for the location; shoes will be requested to be removed at the temple. A free will offering is welcome at the temple location. Please RSVP on our Facebook page or to Lana Gilbert at 618-660-7937. We must have your $10 per participant in advance to reserve the transportation; mailing address to follow. Author - Brian McLaren
Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is an Auburn Senior Fellow, a contributor to We Stand With Love, and a leader in the Convergence Network, through which he is developing an innovative training/mentoring program for pastors and church planters.
Hi, Friends - When I was a boy, I dreamed of growing up to be an "arthur" (I hadn't mastered spelling yet). I never dreamed I'd be writing books about spirituality, theology, ethics, and global crises. Instead, I wanted to write comic books. When I realized that my ability to draw had stopped developing at about age 6, I gave up on being an "arthur." Years later, I became a college English teacher, then a pastor (for 24 years), and during that time, somewhat unexpectedly, I started writing books. Now in my 60's, I write, travel, speak, and help people get equipped and organized to make a positive difference in our world. I hope you'll find in my books solutions to problems you experience, inspiration for challenges you face, and motivation to grow as an agent of needed change in our world. I was born in New York, lived in Illinois, but spent most of my growing-up and child-raising years outside of Washington, DC, in Maryland. I'm married to Grace and we have four wonderful adult kids and five absolutely amazing grandkids (don't get me started). We've lived in SW Florida since 2009, where I enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits, including birding, volunteering as a sea turtle monitor, and fly fishing from a kayak for tarpon. You can learn more about me and my work at my website and blog - www.brianmclaren.net. You'll also find links to my domains on Facebook, Twitter, etc. |
