The Interfaith CommUNITY of South County (ICSC) and the Interfaith Clergy Alliance of South County invite all residents of Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy to join us for our annual Thanksgiving gathering at 3pm Nov. 20. We will meet at Congregation Emeth, 17835 Monterey Street, Morgan Hill, to celebrate our theme, “Thankful in Community,” through song and poetry, light refreshments and a food drive to support the Reach Out Food Pantry at St. Catherine Church.
Inspired by the Interfaith Clergy Alliance, eight years ago the lay group established the Interfaith CommUNITY of South County (ICSC). As a lay group, we work collaboratively with the Interfaith Clergy Alliance. Today, the lay and clergy groups represent more than 20 houses of worship in South Santa Clara County.
When the ICSC was first organized, we agreed that our strength lies in an appreciation for all faith traditions and those traditions that bind us as Americans. We do this by celebrating together our national holidays: Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Fourth of July and Memorial Day.
This fall, Jill Irwin and Stewart Gill, representing the Social Justice Committee of Congregation Emeth, met with the Morgan Hill Library, Culture and Arts Commission to share information about the National “Stand United Against Hate” campaign. Cities across the United States will be celebrating the week of Nov. 13-19 with various programs and activities. National Stand United Against Hate posters will be in windows of homes, businesses and offices; and cities will be hosting programs to remind citizens of our responsibilities to be United Against Hate.
After that meeting, the Library, Culture and Arts Commission presented the information about the Stand United Against Hate Campaign to the Morgan Hill City Council.
Members of the City Council voted unanimously to join the national movement. ICSC also enthusiastically agreed to partner with the venture and, joining the City of Morgan Hill and the Library, Culture and Arts Commission as partners, the ICSC agreed to fund the cost of the posters for our city. The posters will read, “Morgan Hill Stands United Against Hate.”
The Library, Culture and Arts Commission will be announcing programs to celebrate the national campaign in our community, including the Morgan Hill Stands United Against Hate event from 2-3pm on Nov. 13 at the Morgan Hill Library.
Committed to creating compassionate communities through education, service and social programs and activities, the members of the ICSC are actively engaged in supporting the priorities of our local cities and nonprofit organizations. Our partnership with Cecilia’s Closet in Morgan Hill and with the Compassion Center in Gilroy has supported various projects, ranging from clothes drives and the recent “Get Ready for School” backpack project to the Friday night dinners we bring for the families living in the Safe Car Park.
All residents of South Santa Clara County are welcomed and encouraged to join these interfaith efforts, regardless of one’s affiliation with a faith community. For more information contact Interfaith [email protected]
Susan Meyers is the founding member of the Interfaith CommUNITY of South County. She will be serving as the facilitator of the group beginning in January, a position she has held several times in the past. For more information, email [email protected].
