January 2010 Update
It is fitting that January is named after the two-faced Roman god Janus. The beginning of the New Year is often a time of looking backward as well as looking ahead. We often reflect on the events of the past year and contemplate changes that we wish to make in the future. We resolve to live richer, more fulfilling lives and make promises to ourselves that will help us bring about our goals and desires.

The Dutchess County Interfaith Council begins every year with a Peace Concert, "An Afternoon of Stories," to celebrate and honornor our desire to live together in peace. On Sunday, January 10th at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on 67 South Randolph Avenue in Poughkeepsie, the Interfaith Council held its Sixth Annual Peace Concert. Storytellers Kusum Gupta, Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi, Gwen Higgins, Muriel Horowitz, Karen Pillsworth, Mary B. Summerlin and Fatima Thompson shared literary stories and wisdom tales about peace and generosity. Musical interludes were provided by Ed Koziol.

Click here for future programs of the Dutchess Interfaith Story Circle.

Background
Lorraine believes in the power of story to expand our awareness of the world around us and to deepen our understanding of one another. Through her work as a storyteller and her involvement in Visions Story Circle, she knows that sharing stories provides a way for people to connect with each other and develop community. This commitment to storytelling has found new expression in Interfaith Storytelling.

Several years ago, Lorraine and her friend and fellow storyteller Muriel Horowitz strolled through the Vassar campus on a sunny, summer afternoon, discussing ways to promote dialogue between the many faith communities in their local area of Poughkeepsie, NY. Stories seemed a natural way to bring people together and they formed the idea of an interfaith story circle where people would gather to share stories from their specific faith traditions. They contacted Rev. Gail Burger of the Dutchess Interfaith Council and, along with Kusum Gupta from the Hindu Samaj and Cultural Center, the Dutchess Interfaith Story Circle was created.

The very first circle was entitled “Looking Over the Fence: Stories to Bridge Boundaries” and the flyer carried the following description:

“I see the many ways people within specific faith communities serve the needs of those within their faith community, the community-at-large and the global community. It is a profound lesson about the way people live out their beliefs and react to those around them.”

Muriel Horowitz has worked to obtain a grant from the Dutchess County Arts Council for an Interfaith Story Program entitled “Building Bridges Through Stories.” On May 21, 2007, Kusum Gupta, Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi, Muriel Horowitz and Fatima Thompson told a collection of stories from Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindu traditions at the First Presbyterian Church in Millerton, NY.