Interfaith Youth Group Is Under Way, Plans Events Monday

November 12, 2009

Author: Matt Russell

Source: Post-Bulletin

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=425052

A citywide interfaith youth group is forming in Rochester, with an event at 6:30 p.m. Monday at B'nai Israel Synagogue serving as a stepping stone.

Hannah McConnaughay of the Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core will speak at the event on the topic of religious pluralism. Her session will conclude a daylong "interfaith boot camp" to help local youth leaders learn how they can organize interfaith events.

The interfaith group's formation follows a talk in May at Mayo Civic Center by Eboo Patel, an Obama administration adviser who founded the group and is its executive director. Patel, a Muslim, was recently named one of America's best leaders by U.S. News and World Report.

Group's beginnings

A group of local religious leaders talked in the lobby after Patel's speech about how they could act on his message of interfaith cooperation, said the Rev. Peter Nycklemoe of Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

"We just wanted to keep the energy going," Nycklemoe said.

The group started meeting in July. Between 25 and 40 people have attended meetings held at churches, a synagogue, a mosque and a Hindu temple, Nycklemoe said.

See also: Interfaith, Youth