Brookings Interfaith Council

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Fall 2021 Interfaith Dialogue Schedule

Sponsored by the Brookings Interfaith Council

All gatherings will begin at 7:00pm and conclude by 8:30pm. Beverages and snacks will be provided. If you would like to share a snack, please bring individually wrapped servings.

· Tuesday, September 14

o Topic: How do we speak to others about our faith?

o Facilitator: Fathi Halaweish

o Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church [726 6th St.]

· Tuesday, October 12

o Topic: Death and the afterlife

o Facilitator: Dianne Nagy

o Location: United Church of Christ [828 8th St S.]

· Tuesday, November 9

o Topic: Gratitude in times of crisis

o Facilitator: Larry Ort

o Location: Islamic Society of Brookings [724 11th Ave]

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Fall 2020 BIC Discussions

This Fall, the Brookings Interfaith Council will resume dialogues via Zoom to bring the wisdom and values of various traditions to bear on America’s most challenging issue: Racism. We will meet from 7:00pm to 8:30pm as follows:

· September 24: The role of religion in healing racism

· October 22: The role of civic organizations in healing racism

· November 19: The role of individuals in healing racism

To join the dialogues, text 605-695-7596 or email to request the Zoom link.

We look forward to seeing you online and engaging in meaningful conversation to foster friendship, understanding, and respect across our diverse community.

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Justice for Black Lives Demonstration- Brookings, SD

What: Justice for Black Lives Demonstration- Brookings, SD

When: 6pm Friday, June 5th, 2020

Where: We will start by gathering at the courthouse lawn and proceed on the route in the map. Stops for actions/Speakers will take place at the Post Office, Brookings Police Department, and the City Government Center. We will end where we started at the courthouse.

Expectations for our demonstration: this is a peaceful march to support Justice for Black Lives and to call for continued engagement with the BIPOC community to stop systematic police brutality in our country. Demonstrators will observe the messaging of peaceful protest and intervene (if they feel comfortable) if they see participants getting off track of our demonstration. The first ammendment provides us with right to assemble publicly, and as such we are to stay on public sidewalks and cannot impede traffic.

COVID-19 safety preparations: it is highly recommended that masks are worn by every participant. We are trying to get some masks available for those that don't have them. We understand that some would like masks to be required, but given that our demonstration will take place on public property and not private, we have no way to implement that requirement. It is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. We will also have hand sanitizer set up at water tables. Although it is difficult to maintain the recommended 6ft distance when we are together on a sidewalk, please try and keep a full arms length-6ft distance while marching and at the stops.

Accessibility: The route follows public sidewalks and chairs are allowed to be set up as long as they do not impede walking flow. We will use a megaphone that has been offered for any verbal messaging. If anyone is available to provide ASL translation, please let us know!

Other safety considerations: in addition to COVID-19 precautions and maintaining peaceful demonstrations, please keep in mind that it is expected to be in the high 70⁰s to low 80⁰s on Friday. Be sure to stay hydrated and alert for heat exhaustion symptoms. Wear sunscreen.

Parking: there is public parking next to the library, in front of courthouse and Government Center parking becomes public at 6pm so we are able to use that as well.

In planning, we have had messaging and involvement with SDSU Multicultural Center and Black Student Alliance, the Brookings Human Rights Commission, and Brookings Police Department. We've also emailed the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Brookings Inc to ask for the support of local businesses.

Friday, August 23, 2019

BIC Discussion Fall 2019

We are excited to announce the first BIC Discussion for Fall 2019

Time: Thursday, September 19
Topic: Hope
Location: Brookings Public Library, Cooper Room A & B

Time: Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Topic: Traditional Lakota Religion
Location: St Paul's Episcopal Church, 726 6th St, Brookings, South Dakota 57006

The Reverend Isaiah Brokenleg will present a brief sketch of some theological themes and stories from traditional Lakota religion. Her presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

Other discussion topics planned for Fall ... Watch this space for updates.

BIC discussions seek to foster genuine understanding, respect and appreciation of diversity among people of faith (including non-theists) in our community. Please bring a potluck dish to pass, if you are able, or just show up for the evening. All are welcome. Invite a friend. Please be aware that many in our interfaith community do not eat pork or may be vegetarian. You are welcome to bring a non-perishable food item for a group donation to a local pantry or Feeding SD.

The mission of the Brookings Interfaith Council is to cultivate peace and justice by engaging in dialogue to bridge religious and cultural differences and to bring the wisdom and values of our traditions to bear on the challenges facing our society.
Brookings Interfaith Council

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Spring 2019 BIC Discussion topics finalized!!

We are excited to announce the discussion topics for Spring 2019!!

All sessions are on Thursdays and start at 6:30 pm.

Jan 17th - Peace from different faith perspectives at St. Paul's Epsicopal Church

Feb 21st - Faith responses to Refugees and Immigrants, Where Tribalism comes from) at the Islamic center

Mar 21st - Religion renewed for a changing world, An introduction to Bahai Faith at Brookings Public library

Apr 25th - Local Environmental Sustainability, Current efforts and Future perspectives at UCC

Special BIC event

May 11th - Ground breaking - Peace Garden at UCC (details to be announced).

BIC discussions seek to foster genuine understanding, respect and appreciation of diversity among people of faith (including non-theists) in our community. Please bring a potluck dish to pass, if you are able, or just show up for the evening. All are welcome. Invite a friend. Please be aware that many in our interfaith community do not eat pork or may be vegetarian.

The mission of the Brookings Interfaith Council is to cultivate peace and justice by engaging in dialogue to bridge religious and cultural differences and to bring the wisdom and values of our traditions to bear on the challenges facing our society.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

FALL 2018 Brookings Interfaith Council Discussions

Thu SEP 20 6:30 pm
Islamic Jesus
St Paul's Episcopal Church
Brookings, SD

Thu OCT 18 6:30 pm
Spiritual but not religious
Islamic Society of Brookings
Brookings, SD

Thu NOV 15 6:30 pm
Creation Care - Environmental stewardship
Brookings United Church of Christ
Brookings, SD

Thu NOV 29 6:30 pm
A Sea Change - Imagine a world without fish
Brookings Public Library
Brookings, SD

BIC discussions seek to foster genuine understanding, respect and appreciation of diversity among people of faith (including non-theists) in our community. Please bring a potluck dish to pass, if you are able, or just show up for the evening. All are welcome. Invite a friend. Please be aware that many in our interfaith community do not eat pork or may be vegetarian.The mission of the Brookings Interfaith Council is to cultivate peace and justice by engaging in dialogue to bridge religious and cultural differences and to bring the wisdom and values of our traditions to bear on the challenges facing our society.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

BIC Discussion topics for Spring '18 finalized! Hope to see you at the discussion sessions!!

Thu, February 15th
Title: The Golden Rules of Dialogue – II
Venue – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Thu, March 15th
Title: Prayers ( from different faiths)
Venue: Brookings Public library, Cooper Room A
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Thu, April 19th
Title: Stereotypes/Religious apparel
Venue: Brookings Public library, Cooper Room B
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Thu, May 17th
Title: Faith and approaches to Social Justice (Faith communities and how we can work together)
Venue – UCC
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/brookingsinterfaith/events/

Please bring a potluck dish to pass, if you are able, or just show up for the evening. All are welcome. Invite a friend. Please be aware that many in our interfaith community do not eat pork or may be vegetarian.

The mission of the Brookings Interfaith Council is to foster genuine understanding, respect and appreciation of diversity among people of faith (including non-theists) in our community. The Council cultivates peace and justice by engaging in dialogue to bridge religious and cultural differences and to bring the wisdom and values of our traditions to bear on the challenges facing our society.