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SALT LAKE CITY — Within two years of living in Utah, Josie Stone became "astonished" by the acceptance of various faiths in the state.
"I think there is a culture here that says that everybody has a right to be and if they come here they will be accepted for who they are and at the same time the expectation is that they will accept everybody else who's here."
The culture of acceptance may be in part because of the efforts of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, a group that seeks to promote interfaith education, dialogue and cooperation.
One of the group's initiatives is the Interfaith Season, that highlights various faiths in the valley. The season started out as an interfaith week, and grew over the years as more faiths wanted to showcase their religion.
It's not to make you somebody else. It's to let you understand who they are and through that have a greater awareness and a greater depth in your own faith group. And it does work.
–Josie Stone, vice chairwoman of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable
"Not to make people think , 'Oh, I'd like to be a Sikh or I'd like to be a Hindu,' but to make sure that they understand that those religions have the same kind of sincerity and belief in their particular religion that you might have in your own," Stone, vice chairwoman of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, said.
"It's not to make you somebody else. It's to let you understand who they are and through that have a greater awareness and a greater depth in your own faith group. And it does work."
Interfaith Season began Friday with a New Moon Ritual — featuring a drum circle and fire meditation — hosted by the Salt Lake Pagan Society.
Throughout the season, members of the public are invited to participate in other events and learn about Salt Lake's diverse faith traditions. Here's a look at what's ahead:
Thursday, Jan. 22
The Interfaith Roundtable will have a First Nations Blessing Ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda at 3 p.m. Gov. Gary Herbert, homeless advocate Pamela Atkinson and Rev. Elias Koucos, Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable chairman, will give remarks. Lacee Harris, a First Nation representative, will offer the blessing.
Sunday, Jan. 25
Rev. Thomas J. Reese, senior analyst for National Catholic Reporter, will deliver this year's Aquinas Lecture, 12:30 p.m. at the St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Newman Center, 170 University Street. Rev. Reese, a Jesuit, will speak on "Pope Francis and reform of the Church."
Thursday, Jan. 29
The Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple of Utah, 1142 W. South Jordan Parkway, will host a temple tour and introduction from 6-8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
Saturday, Jan. 31
Langar (free food kitchen) and Kirtan (call and response hymns) at the Sikh Temple of Utah, 4897 S. Redwood Road, from 5:30-7 p.m. This will give the public a taste of the food Salt Lake Sikhs will provide during the Parliament of the World's Religions in Salt Lake City in the fall.
Tuesday, Feb. 2
Family Promise tour and open house, 814 W. 800 South, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Family Promise is a non-profit interfaith coalition that houses and helps homeless families.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Interfaith program at the Khadeeja Mosque, 1019 W. Parkway Avenue, 5:30-7:30 p.m., hosted by the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake.
Sunday, Feb. 8
"Jews in Utah Oxymoron" program, Congregation Kol Ami, 2425 E. Heritage Way, 10-11:30 a.m. This event is part of the Congregation Kol Ami's regular education program.
Thursday, Feb. 12
Unconditional love deeksha, or ceremony, at the Salt Lake Krishna Center, 965 E. 3370 South, 7-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at The Cathedral Church of St. Mark, 231 E. 100 South, 5-7:30 p.m. Shrove Tuesday, also called pancake day, falls the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent. For more information visit stmarkscathedralut.org or call 801-322-3400.
Thursday, Feb. 19
The Rumi Poetry Club will host "Many lamps, one light: An evening with Rumi and Sufi teachings" at the Anderson-Foothill Library, 1135 S. 2100 East, 7-8:30 p.m. Rasoul Shams, founder of Rumi Poetry Club and translator of "Rumi: The art of loving," will deliver the lecture.
Saturday, Feb. 21
Kids Feeding Kids food packing event at the Gateway Mall Old Navy shop, 35 North Rio Grande #1560, 1:30-3:30 p.m. To participate visit kidsfeedingkids.net.
Monday, Feb. 23
"Love is a Verb" film at the Salt Lake Main Library, 400 S. 200 East, at 6:30 p.m. The Pacifica Foundation Utah is sponsoring the screening of the film that looks into Hizmet — meaning service — or The Gulen Movement. The leader of this movement, Fethullah Gulen, was named one of the most influential leaders in the world in 2013 by Time Magazine.
Tuesday, Feb. 24
The Interfaith Roundtable will sponsor a guided bus tour of three Salt Lake places of worship: Congregation Kol Ami, St. Ambrose Catholic Church and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Park and board the bus at Congregation Kol Ami, 2425 E. Heritage Way (2760 South) at 6 p.m. Refreshments at Congregation Kol Ami at the end of the tour. RSVP required for the event. Contact Wendy Stovall wendyjstovall@gmail.com or 801-967-8013.
Saturday, Feb. 28
Social Justice Human Library, an interfaith young adult event, will be held at the Salt Lake Main Library, 400 S. 200 East, 3-5 p.m.
Sunday, March 1
The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 5335 S. Highland Drive, will host a discussion on Eastern Orthodoxy along with chanting by the Prophet Elias Choir, 6-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 5
Tour of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church History Library, 15 E. North Temple, 6-7:30 p.m. RSVP is required for the event. Contact Wendy Stovall wendyjstovall@gmail.com or 801-967-8013.
Saturday, March 7
The St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 E. Spring Lane, will host a Lenten Retreat for English and Spanish speakers, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 14
Day of Gratitude retreat, Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, 211 W. 100 South, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 21
St. Mark's Cathedral, 231 E. 100 South, will host "Gifts of gratitude and compassion," a human rights lecture, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday March 22
Interfaith musical tribute at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square, 6-7:30 p.m. Performances will include song, dance and chant.
