At Trothmoot 2023, The Troth announced that the Board of Directors has approved the creation of an official Troth Interfaith Committee
The announcement came after a presentation by the Director of Communications Ben Kowalsky-Grahek on the importance of Interfaith work in effecting policy change and fostering acceptance and engagement between different faiths.
“When we leave our religious bunker, we breathe the air of true religious freedom,” said Ethan Stark, Heathen Clergy and a steadfast supporter of Interfaith work. “Without sacrificing our ideals or practice, Heathens may work side by side with the Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Jew, Bahá’í, Hindu, and more. And the opportunities are many; from food drives to building homes, from adopting and cleaning a road to petitioning your township for a new park.”
The problem with Heathen interfaith work has been that either people would do it “in secret” where they work under the assumption that they were just another Christian, or they would work just as individuals with no Organizational backing–where other participants in interfaith work would usually come with the backing and support of an organization like a local Church or Mosque.
This lead to Heathens feeling “out on an island” and like they couldn’t really be bringing their whole selves to Interfaith work. And if the question every came up “who are you with” they would always have to answer “I’m here by myself.”
The Committee will have open meetings for Troth members to drop in and has 5 standing members including two Directors from the Board.
This open format will give time for members to give presentations on Interfaith opportunities as well as give the Committee perspective on how to evaluate those opportunities. Interfaith work opportunities will be evaluated by the Committee and the Committee will then recommend to the Board whether or not the particular opportunity fits with our values as Heathens and our goals and mission as an Organization.
Upon approval, members will have the ability not just to participate in Interfaith work, but to do so with the support and backing of the whole Organization.
“Organizational endorsement opens up new opportunities not just for participation in Interfaith work, but in taking opportunities for leadership within Interfaith work,” said Kowalsky-Grahek. “If the opportunity arises for us to step up and take a seat at the table, having institutional backing, coaching and support is crucial for the success of our volunteers.”
The Committee can also take the lead with opening up communications with Interfaith organizations. “There are Heathens who want to do something but don’t know where to get started,” he continued. “They don’t know if there’s a seat for us at the table. We not only want to encourage Heathens who are interested in making a difference but we want to help by facilitating communication between Heathens and Interfaith organizations in their area.”
The Interfaith Committee will also create and maintain a database of these opportunities so that Troth members can contact the committee to see if there are already Heathens in their area who have made in-roads and how they can connect and get involved.
“The importance is consistency,” said Lisa Morgenstern, a longtime volunteer with Interfaith groups in California. “Pagans consistently showing up. It’s part of letting folks know you as a person rather than an unknown religion. Be there to help with set up or tear down or bring food if it’s a potluck; offering to lend a hand and to do the work even if it’s something like set up or clean up, makes a lasting impression on the community.”
When should I contact The Troth Interfaith Committee?
- If you need The Troth to reach out to an Interfaith organization in your area to see if there are opportunities for partnership.
- If you have an interfaith opportunity that you want to have sponsored by The Troth
- If you want to represent The Troth on the leadership board of an Interfaith group (we will consider this opportunity if you have been a member of both The Troth and have been working with the Interfaith group for at least a year).
- If you want to find out if there are any Interfaith opportunities already in your area (another great contact will be your local Steward who will receive a report on any Interfaith opportunities we have already endorsed in their area)
Who serves on The Troth Interfaith Committee?
The Troth interfaith committee has five standing members, two of whom are nominated directly from the Board of Directors and three of whom are nominated by the Board from the general membership (who have been in good standing with the Organization for at least one year). The Committee has open meetings, so that Troth members can come to either just observe or to present opportunities or questions for the Committee during the open comment period (at the beginning of every meeting).
Anyone can contact The Troth Interfaith Committee, but only members can come to meetings and only members in good standing for a year can be considered for representation of The Troth in any Interfaith capacity.