THIRD THURSDAY conversations

On the third Thursday of each month from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., we gather at Highland Presbyterian Church (2381 Cloverdale Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27103) for a conversation.  After a 15-20 minute presentation from the week’s guest speaker, we divide into diverse groups of four or five people to share our thoughts about the comments. We conclude by having each group share highlights of its conversation with the full group.  Contact Truman Dunn tldunn104@gmail.com.

journeys

Throughout history, the meal table has been a place of communion. On the first Sunday of each month, Interfaith Winston-Salem brings together people from many traditions for the “Journeys Breakfast Club.” After conversation over a buffet meal, we hear someone’s faith journey.  Speakers have included Muslims, Jews, Pagans, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and others. The meal begins at 8 a.m. in a private dining room at the Golden Corral Restaurant near Hanes Mall and concludes around 9:45. The program is free and the cost of the meal is around $10. Reservations are not required. Contact  interfaithws@gmail.com.

book club

On the second Tuesday of alternating months beginning with January, we gather to discuss the book chosen by the group.  The selected book most often relates to one or more faith or non-faith traditions. Authors have included Krista Bremer, Karen Armstrong, the Interfaith Amigos, Sam Harris and Marcus Borg. The discussions are held in the parlor at Highland Presbyterian Church on Cloverdale Ave.  Contact Barbara Bowman bbowman2@triad.rr.com 

Compassionate Winston-Salem

Interfaith Winston-Salem provided the impetus in 2013 for the City of Winston-Salem to become only the 18th city in the world to sign the Charter for Compassion, which expands on the Golden Rule. Compassionate Winston-Salem uses a “constellations” model to deliver programs of compassion to the community, including Compassionate Education, Compassionate Justice and Compassionate Housing. Our Compassion Corner project has placed buddy benches on playgrounds at more than 10 local elementary schools. Contact Truman Dunn tldunn104@gmail.com.

Feeding the Homeless

On the third Friday of each month, a diverse group of Compassionate Winston-Salem volunteers prepares and serves a hot meal to overnight guests of the Bethesda Center, one of Winston-Salem’s homeless shelters. There is a variety of ways to become involved. Contact Michael Lange or Craig Plummer cplummer2@bellsouth.net

festival of faith and culture

Children in kindergarten through the fifth grade learn about multiple cultural and faith traditions through arts, crafts, music, dance, food and other disciplines during this Sunday afternoon event each autumn. The projects include Buddhist prayer flags, fish designs for Christianity, Arabic calligraphy from Islam, menorahs from Judaism and many others. Contact interfaithws@gmail.com.

carlton MITCHELL series

This series honors the late Dr. Carlton Mitchell, who was head of the Religion Department at Wake Forest University for many years and was an early proponent of interfaith understanding. Programs vary from year. Previous programs have featured the Afro-Semitic Experience, a jazz group from Connecticut, and John Philip Newell, the Distinguished Visiting Scholar of Spirituality at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. Contact interfaithws@gmail.com

interfaith tour

Each spring, Interfaith Winston-Salem organizes a community tour that visits three houses of worship.  The sites include a mosque each year, the Jewish temple every other year, and an orthodox worship center every other year.  Although adults are encouraged to attend, the focus is on youth in middle and high schools. The tours conclude with a free pizza party.  Contact interfaithws@gmail.com