Bridge Builders Dinner

Approximately 100 individuals from faith traditions across Winston-Salem came together Sunday, September 30, 2018 for Interfaith Winston-Salem's first annual Bridge Builders Dinner.

They honored Jerry McLeese, the founder of Interfaith Winston-Salem who has worked for many years to build bridges of understanding and mutual respect among those of different faiths, beliefs, and viewpoints.

Michael Lange served as master of ceremonies. Truman Dunn, current chairperson of the board of Interfaith Winston-Salem, and Jim Collins, a member of the board, gave background on the organization and its work.

Local faith individuals and groups were featured in commenting on Jerry’s work. They included Art Bloom of Temple Emanuel, an original board member; Ibrahim Thompson of the Annoor Islamic Center; Pam Lepley of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; Rabbi Mark Cohn of Temple Emanuel; Sita Soma of Sri Mata Hindu Temple and a member of the board; Imam Joe’l Saahir of Masjid al-Mu-Minun and a board member; Rev. Lisa Schwartz of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; Rev. Kelly Carpenter of Green Street United Methodist Church; Imam Khalid Griggs of The Community Mosque of Winston-Salem; and members of the Faith in Action Sunday School Class at Ardmore United Methodist Church.

Providence Catering, a program of Second Harvest Food Bank, catered a full buffet dinner. Knollwood Baptist Church was the host. The event was sponsored by Annoor Islamic Center, The Community Mosque of Winston-Salem; the Faith in Action Class at Ardmore UMC; Green Street UMC; Sri Mata Hindu Temple; Home Moravian Church; Masjid al-Mu’Minun; Parkway UCC; St. Anne’s Episcopal; Temple Emanuel; the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Winston-Salem; Wake Forest University Department for the Study of Religions; and the Winston-Salem Dharma Community.

The Bridge Builders Dinner will become an annual fundraising event for Interfaith Winston-Salem and will honor individuals who have made significant contributions to building bridges across differences that separate our community.