Namo A Di Da Phat
This upcoming Saturday, March 1, will be the Festival of Faiths at University Heights Baptist Church (on the corner of National Ave. and Grand St.), from 2 to 5 pm. This is a city-wide project (more info at their website). From their Facebook announcement:
“During the third annual Ozarks Festival of Faiths we are having a diaper drive to support the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks. Bring cloth or disposable diapers as well as adult incontinence products and drop them off as you enter the Festival! All donations will be delivered to the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks, a wonderful local organization that provides much-needed supplies to families across the Ozarks. The Festival of Faiths is on March 1, 2025 at University Heights Baptist Church. 1010 S. National. Come and be a part of encouraging interfaith dialog and service in the Ozarks! Share this post! Let’s collect diapers!”
We will have a table as a display and way to share about the opportunities to study and practice with the Buddha’s teachings at our temple. If you are available and willing, you are invited to volunteer at the table, sharing about your experiences and, as you are able, answering questions about the temple. You can volunteer for as little or as long as you’d like.
You can also take time to visit the other displays and learn more about the often-hidden diversity in the Ozarks. There will also be performances throughout the afternoon, including:
- Welcome: Pastor Nolan Porter, University Heights Baptist Church
- MC: Melody Shuck – CPO
- COMMUNITY INTERFAITH CHOIR: What Love Can Do (Burrows), Directed By Janet Given and Accompanied By Mark Given
- INDIA ASSOCIATION OF THE OZARKS: Ganapati Koutuvam, Bharatnatyam Dance Form
- CHILDREN’S INTERFAITH CHOIR: We are Different, Kindness Begins with Me/Scatter Sunshine, Show a Little Respect, I Believe in Being Honest, A Beautiful World, Light a Candle for Peace, Directed By Laura Howald, Assisted by Emily Fletcher, and Accompanied By Emily Hepworth
- AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER OF SPRINGFIELD: Prayer Song, Cory Badhorse; Dance Presentation, Nizhoni Falcon & Cory Badhorse
- TEMPLE ISRAEL: Zemer Atik “Ancient Song” – Israeli Folk Dance
- COMMUNITY INTERFAITH CHOIR: We are all the Stars (Gilpin)
- CANDLE LIGHTING: Jaimie Trussell: Council of Churches
- COMMUNITY INTERFAITH CHOIR: Be a Candle of Hope (Mayo)
Thanks and hope to see you on Saturday!
