Interfaith Council Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2005
Interfaith Center
Jeffrey Lidke and Steve Bell opened the meeting with a review of the year. They noted that both President Colley and the Provost had said they were impressed with the amount and variety of programming this year.
The IFC budget has been renewed for next year already.
Some new members were introduced, and the chair described the IFC to them in terms of the core issues which sparked the creation of the council and that we are charged with creating programs to inform and expose the students to a variety of faith traditions. It also was suggested that we emphasize making contacts outside the college, connecting the IFC with the wider community.
There then was a report of the Art contest. A suggestion was made that submissions include a “Statement of Purpose” in the application next year. As well, Virginia Troy and Brad Adams are interested in supporting the IFC, so as a way to increase participation, we should find a way to involve their classes next year.
There was a question about the budget, namely what are the Council programs and how they are determined. The chair said that we are open to all suggestions.
There was a question about the relationship between the IFC and the Chaplain’s Office, and it was said we should clarify it, however it is understood that the IFC is independent of the Chaplain’s Office, however our programs are supported by it.
We then discussed ideas for programs next year, listed below.
Explanatory services
Ritual-centered events which would be participatory, such as a Diwali celebration
Provost Dasher suggested having participatory events or even transporting people
to a service (eg the local synagogue)
Two-part programs where people go to a ritual somewhere and then listen to a panel about that faith on another day
Have more opportunities to ask questions of individuals of different faiths
Get a new title for the “Meet The …” series
Possible groups to feature: pagans, Baptists (show the variation within a
denomination), charismatic Christianity, “New Thought”/ Christian Science
**These are intrafaith panels (variation within a faith)**
Interfaith panels could explore how members of different faiths address certain
topics, such as the role of faith, works, death, abortion, homosexuality, purpose, gender roles and sexuality, marriage, childrearing, religion and politics, music
Film series
Hold a lecture series with possible topics such as religious art history or
architecture, music, or dance—eg Islamic art, relationships of believers with religious leaders (deity versus teacher, such as Jesus), mysticism, evolving faiths—changes in religion or coming religions
Perhaps we should set a theme for the year or semester, so that the programming committee would have set purpose.
In general, we should seek out co-sponsors for programs and set the dates for events early
We then discussed possible appointments to the council. Names mentioned were Michael Bailey, Jim Watkins, perhaps Brad Adams.
The chair asked whether we should establish a publicity coordinator, and the ultimate decision was ‘yes.’
We then discussed the election of the chair for 2005-6. It was indicated that neither David MacKenzie nor Harvey Hill were available. The bylaws would allow the chair to be renewed, so Jeffrey Lidke indicated he was willing to be chair again.
The only new agenda item was the suggestion to have a report on the budget in the fall, so we know what funds are available.