Interfaith Partners of South Carolina

Interfaith Partners of South Carolina (IPSC) is an organization formed in 2010 to promote better understanding[1] among people of the many religious, spiritual, and secular-ethical traditions throughout the state of South Carolina.[2]


Leadership of Interfaith Partners of South Carolina holding a media event at the S.C. State House in 2019.

History
FBI Director Christopher Wray presents Dr. Adrian Bird, Chair of Interfaith Partners of South Carolina, with the Director's Community Leadership Award, 2019.

IPSC has drawn public attention to the broad diversity of religious, spiritual and secular-ethical traditions and practice in South Carolina.[3] The group has been instrumental in supporting misunderstood groups and those at risk because of hate speech,[4] e.g., issuing a statement supporting Syrian refugees from that country's civil war, expressing sorrow and concern after the 2015 Mother Emanuel shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, and after the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand, mosque shootings.[5] After the Jewish Community Center of Columbia received a bomb threat in 2017, IPSC partnered with Jewish leaders to devise a plan for building community support for the Center through a spring interfaith festival.

Beginning in 2011, each governor of South Carolina including Nikki Haley has each year issued a proclamation declaring January as South Carolina Interfaith Harmony Month.[6][7][8] After a kickoff media conference,[9] numerous open events are held by houses of worship and religious and other groups for the entire month. In 2019 and 2020 the mayors of Charleston[10] and Aiken (S.C.)[11] issued similar proclamations by their respective cities. IPSC leadership visited the FBI in Washington, DC, in 2019 to receive the Director's Community Leadership Award for the state.[12] Regional affiliated chapters include Aiken and Florence.[13]

Mission

The mission of Interfaith Partners of South Carolina is to bring together people of diverse religious, spiritual, and secular paths throughout our state to cultivate a more harmonious community.[14][15]

References
  1. "SC Religious Leaders Share Hopes for New Year". WLTX News CBS. 30 Dec 2016. Retrieved 2 Feb 2021.
  2. "Interfaith Partners of South Carolina (Formerly: Partners in Dialogue)". 7 May 2020. Retrieved 1 Feb 2021.
  3. "Interfaith dialogue alive and well in South Carolina". The State. 13 Jan 2014. Retrieved 5 Feb 2021.
  4. "S.C. interfaith group turns ignorance, hate into opportunities for connection". Christian Science Monitor. 27 Aug 2018. Retrieved 2 Feb 2021.
  5. "Local faith leaders respond to New Zealand attacks". WIS-TV News NBC. 15 Mar 2015. Retrieved 2 Feb 2021.
  6. "An interfaith proclamation in South Carolina". The Wild Hunt. 20 Jan 2013. Retrieved 2 Feb 2021.
  7. Greene, Heather (2013-01-20). "An interfaith proclamation in South Carolina". The Wild Hunt. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  8. "S.C. Interfaith Harmony Month launched". Newberry Observer. 2017-01-04. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  9. "SC Religious Leaders Share Hopes for New Year". WLTX News19 (CBS). 30 Dec 2016. Retrieved 5 Feb 2021.
  10. "Mayor to proclaim January as Interfaith Harmony Month". Live 5 News WCSC. 4 Jan 2021. Retrieved 2 Feb 2021.
  11. "USC Aiken to Take Part in Interfaith Harmony Month". USCA. 20 Dec 2019. Retrieved 2 Feb 2021.
  12. "Columbia: Interfaith Partners of South Carolina 2018 Director's Community Leadership Award Recipient". FBI. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 2 Feb 2021.
  13. "Interfaith group wants to create religious dialogue". SCNow. 14 Jun 2014. Retrieved 5 Feb 2021.
  14. "Mission – Interfaith Partners of South Carolina". Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  15. "Interfaith Partners of South Carolina". Charter for Compassion. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
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