Sanpete Interfaith Council formed
4-6-2017
SANPETE COUNTY—Representatives of different denominations and faiths are coming together in a local ecumenical effort to look beyond religious differences and share in the ethical values they hold in common.
The Sanpete County Interfaith Council is a newly formed religious organization designed to promote religious awareness, diversity and service, comprised of several religious and community leaders from various local faiths.
Current council members are Cindy Shogren and Renee Johnson representing Mountain Valley Community Presbyterian Church; Fernando Montano representing the Ephraim Catholic Church; Wissem Abid representing Islam; Ken Barber and Sue Young, representing the LDS church; Rodney Zedicher representing the Ephraim Church of the Bible; and Craig Mathie representing Snow College students of other faiths. Stacey Fletcher will volunteer as public relations and media director for the group.
“I feel empowered by the opportunity to meet with faith leaders to launch this initiative,” Barber explained. “Rooted in the common ground of love and care for our neighbors, the effort to create this council will surely bring us closer together.”
The council is the first of its kind in Sanpete County. The group hopes to expand soon to include representatives from all faiths within the geographic region. And although the council is faith based, all citizens are welcome to participate in planned activities.
Presbyterian Pastor Cindy Shogren said, “I’m glad to be part of an effort to unite different faiths in serving for the good of our community.”
With guidelines still officially forming, the Sanpete Interfaith Council’s activities will be service-based and culturally rich.
“We established an interfaith council to build on community strengths and provide service,” Fletcher explained. “We are all different in our beliefs, but similar in our faith and the desire to serve. The Sanpete County Interfaith Council will be historic and a beautiful addition to our community.”
The council’s goal is to send a message of unity and to see all faiths working together for the greater good of our society.
The Sanpete County Interfaith Council plans to hold their first event on May 4th, in celebration of the National Day of Prayer. More details will be available soon.
The council’s Facebook page is titled “Sanpete County Interfaith Council.”
The council will also have a website that community members can reference for detailed updates and faith promoting stories.
“Those who choose to engage with us will surely come to appreciate and celebrate the fabric of faith that makes up our community,” Barber continued.
