SALT LAKE CITY -- During the 2002 Olympic winter games in Salt Lake City, people of many faiths in our community came together to support the athletes and coaches as chaplains. Tuesday, members of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable officially kicked off their annual week of events.

When the world came here, the citizens of Utah put on a spectacular show and welcomed people from many nations. Representatives of different faiths in the Salt Lake Valley became volunteer chaplains to the Olympians, and everyone was included.

"It brings back memories of when the 2002 Olympics were here, and how close and involved all the different faith groups and athletes were," says Rev. Father Elias Koucos, of the Greek Orthodox Church. "It's been a blessing for us to be a part of it."

The celebration may be considerably smaller, but the sentiments remain -- and so do the members of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable. They are determined to share their harmony.

"Even in Salt Lake City, where people think we're very one-culture, one-faith, that we have such diversity here and such beauty of the diversity; that we can all come together, not just for the Olympics, but continuing on 10, 11 years later," says Jan Saeed, of the Baha'i faith.

They kicked off a week of events with a proclamation from Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and awards. They honored Bonnie Phillips for her Golden Rule Project.

"There is always opposition and problems going on in the world between different faiths, and if we bring peace together and show that we can co-habitate and learn from each other and do well, then others will learn and go on forward," says Noor Ul-Hasan, of the Islamic faith.

Tuesday at 6:30, members of Congregation Kol Ami will welcome everyone to the synagogue to learn how to bake Challah bread.

Wednesday night at 7:00, the Rev. Rick Lawson of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral will talk about the meaning and history of Ash Wednesday.

For details on all of the events CLICK HERE.

E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com