News
January 16, 2020Schenectady Community Ministries (SiCM) Becomes an Interfaith Organization
Since its founding in 1967, Schenectady Community Ministries (fondly known as SiCM) has existed with a two part purpose: 1) to serve the needs of Schenectady in ways no single faith community could do alone and 2) to break down barriers between peoples of various faith traditions through that common service.
In a time when acts of hate against mosques, synagogues, churches and other houses of worship are on the rise across the country, this past Tuesday SiCM took a decisive and concrete action to live out its original purpose that deeply speaks to our current context. Through a series of near unanimous votes, the faith communities of SiCM voted to become an interfaith rather than a strictly Christian organization. These votes took place after over sixth months of careful deliberation and consultation between existing SiCM member faith communities and potential interfaith partners.
Rev. Dustin G. Wright, Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church and Chair of SICM’s AdHoc Committee on Interfaith Partnerships said, “In the midst of such hate and division across our country, members of SiCM took a historic stand for mutual understanding and solidarity with all our siblings in faith this week. Saying no to hate is indeed a good and necessary thing that we do well in Schenectady County, but proactively saying yes to love by building a stronger community together, my gosh, that’s even better!”
Jo-Anne Rafalik, Acting Executive Director of SiCM said the SICM will likely welcome its first interfaith partners in February or March, and discuss ways to mark this historic change such as a Schenectady Interfaith Day of Service to take place later this year.
