Newsletter November 2024

Thankful Giving Campaign
In October the Riverside Interfaith Council opened its “Thankful Giving” campaign.  This year, we are proud to partner with Family Promise of Riverside, an organization dedicated to helping families overcome homelessness by offering shelter, meals, and life-changing support services. Family Promise empowers parents and children to rebuild their lives and find a path to lasting independence.
How You Can Make an Impact
Your generosity will directly support Family Promise's programs, which provide:
• Safe shelter for families during times of crisis
• Nutritious meals to nourish children and parents alike
• Essential services to help families achieve financial stability
We invite you to select the donation amount that is most appropriate for you from our convenient sliding scale. If you'd like to give a unique amount, you can also use the "other" option to contribute any amount that feels right for you.
How to Donate
Please follow this link to donate: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjIyNTIx?
Whether you can give a little or a lot, every dollar makes a difference. Your gift will directly benefit families through Family Promise, giving children a safe place to sleep and hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Thank You
The "Thankful Giving" campaign reflects the values of gratitude and compassion that unite us. Your support ensures that no child in our community has to face homelessness alone. Together, we can bring hope and stability to families when they need it most.
About Family Promise of Riverside
Family Promise of Riverside helps families in need by providing housing, meals, and essential services to help them rebuild their lives. To learn more about Family Promise, visit fpriverside.org

Faith Chat
On Thursday, September 19th, we proudly hosted our third Faith Chat, an interfaith dialogue series aimed at fostering understanding and connection among different spiritual communities. This session featured Imam Mahmoud Harmoush from the Riverside Islamic Center, who shared profound insights into the teachings, values, and practices of the Islamic faith. Imam Harmoush’s thoughtful presentation provided an in-depth look at the spiritual, cultural, and historical aspects of Islam, sparking meaningful conversations and addressing common questions and misconceptions. Attendees left with a deeper appreciation for the Islamic tradition, enriched by this opportunity for open dialogue and mutual respect. This enlightening event exemplified our commitment to building bridges and encouraging understanding across diverse faiths.

Faith Caravan
On Sunday, October 20th the Riverside Interfaith Council (RIC) conducted its first Faith Caravan, an inspiring journey through three spiritual communities, fostering understanding, connection, and mutual respect among diverse faiths. The day was a powerful display of interfaith harmony, with each location graciously welcoming our group.
Visit to the Sikh Temple Our first stop was the Sikh Temple, where the atmosphere was vibrant, filled with hundreds of worshippers. We  joined in the Langar meal, sampling a variety of delicious dishes. We were then led us into the Temple itself, where we removed our shoes, covered our heads, and participated in a respectful bow towards the holy scriptures. The sacred music and colorful attire created an atmosphere of reverence and beauty. Baljit Toor spoke about Sikhism and its teachings, emphasizing inclusivity and concern for all people. Scott Hunsaker spoke on behalf of RIC, sharing our mission and the purpose of the Faith Caravan.
Kansas Avenue SDA Church Our next stop was the Kansas Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, where two ministers welcomed us warmly. This church, deeply committed to community service, has facilities for assisting the unhoused with food and hygiene every Tuesday. Our hosts encouraged collaboration among faith communities to address local needs, and there was meaningful discussion about using RIC as a communication resource.
Islamic Center of Riverside Our final stop was the Islamic Center of Riverside. We were warmly welcomed by Imam Mahmoud Harmoush, who shared the history of Open Mosque Day and spoke on the Riverside community's enduring support for their center, especially following 9/11. We observed the afternoon prayer and engaged in a Q&A with the Imam on Islamic practices. The day concluded with activities in the lobby, where participants received bead bracelets, temporary henna tattoos, and head coverings as parting gifts.
Reflections on the Day The Faith Caravan was an overwhelming success, rich with moments of kindness, hospitality, and meaningful exchanges. This initiative, originally envisioned by RIC Founder Earl Bogan as a "Faith Walk," has now evolved into an engaging Faith Caravan, with much potential for future iterations.
Acknowledgments Special thanks to Zubair Bakubye, Gary Shook, Genaro Waheed, Scott Hunsaker, Marilyn Sequoia, and everyone who contributed to making this day possible. We look forward to reflecting on this experience and exploring improvements for future Faith Caravans at upcoming meetings.

Community Agreement
The Riverside Interfaith Community Agreement is a vital project aimed at fostering dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among faith communities in our area. Through this initiative, we seek to build stronger bonds between our diverse traditions, support community engagement, and address shared challenges in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.
In the coming months we will be contacting and asking faith communities in the Riverside area to join us in this agreement.


Interfaith Community Agreement
 Riverside Interfaith Council

This agreement is entered into between the religious leaders representing various faith communities in Riverside California. The purpose of this agreement is to promote respectful dialogue and condemn harmful actions without targeting any race or religious group.
1. Preamble
We, the undersigned religious leaders, acknowledge the importance of fostering a community that values diversity, understanding, and cooperation. We recognize the need to address concerns about actions or behaviors that may be perceived as harmful without perpetuating stereotypes, discrimination, or hatred toward any particular race or religious group. Wars and/or aggression between nations and states elsewhere can follow us home where we can start to treat our neighbors like other than Neighbors. 
2. Purpose
The purpose of this agreement is to establish guidelines for communication that condemn specific actions deemed harmful without promoting animosity or prejudice against individuals based on their race or religious affiliation.
3. Principles
a. Respect for Diversity: We commit to respecting the diversity of our community and recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual, irrespective of their race or religious background.
b. Condemnation of Actions, Not Individuals or Groups: We agree to condemn specific actions or behaviors that we believe are harmful to our community or the world at large, without targeting individuals in our community or entire religious groups.
c. Promotion of Understanding: We will strive to promote understanding and open dialogue as a means of addressing concerns and resolving conflicts.
4. Guidelines for Communication
a. Use of Inclusive Language: When expressing concerns or criticisms, we will use language that is inclusive and does not stereotype or generalize entire races or religious communities.
b. Focus on Actions: Our communication will focus on condemning specific actions, behaviors, or ideologies that are deemed harmful, rather than targeting individuals or groups.
c. Engage in Constructive Dialogue: In the event of disagreements, we commit to engaging in constructive dialogue to foster mutual understanding and find common ground.
6. Conclusion
This agreement is voluntary and relies on the commitment of the undersigned religious leaders. Any disputes arising from the interpretation or implementation of this agreement will be resolved through peaceful dialogue.
By signing below, we affirm our commitment to the principles and guidelines outlined in this agreement, with the aim of fostering a community that values diversity, promotes understanding, and condemns harmful actions without perpetuating discrimination.