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Interfaith tea
Women of faith meet for 66th event
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
The Rev. Kathryn Adams shared three reasons why interfaith dialogue remains important.
“We learn something, we meet someone new, and we create something new,” she told the crowd of about 85 women at the interfaith tea Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.
The Rev. Mrs. Adams, director of Protestant Campus Ministry at Youngstown State University, expanded on each reason.
She said each year she travels with a group of students from YSU to visit Washington, D.C., and one stop is the National Cathedral.
“Sometimes, there are students who are not familiar with Christian worship,” she said.
One Chinese student was concerned people were leaving during a service because they were going to take Holy Communion, and students of the Muslim faith asked why purple was used in clergy vestments. At the time, it was Lent. “You never know what you will learn from one another,” she said.
When you meet someone new, you don’t know how they might change your life.
Mrs. Adams recounted her mission trips to orphanages in Russia. She said two boys she met, both unable to walk because of missing limbs, changed her life. The mission team brought both to America to get prosthetics. “I felt overwhelmed at times,” she admitted, adding that the boys stayed with her family. “But what good happened.”
On creating something new, Mrs. Adams talked about her involvement in Habitat for Humanity and the future ecumenical House of Abraham. She said volunteering with others from many faith traditions has shown her that “religious and ethnic differences are less important than working together.”
The Rev. Nick Mager, pastor, welcomed the group. He said, “Women of faith exemplify giving in their own faith traditions and make a difference in the community, country and world.”
Shirley Megown, Church Women United president, said the tea was set for Feb. 1, but weather canceled it for the first time in its 66-year history. Sophia Brooks sang spirituals.