1. Children of Jerusalem: Painting Pain, Dreaming Peace

This exhibit was created by Palestinian and Israeli children from east and west Jerusalem who are divided by religion and beliefs, conflict and war, but are drawn together by their fear of violence and their longing for a peaceful future together. The importance of bringing this exhibit to ImaginOn was to present a model of reconciliation and hope for all faiths. It was also the foundation for ongoing Community Conversations that reflected on the state of interfaith work in Charlotte.

Partners: The Charlotte Collaborative Partners. Funding was provided by: The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation.

2. Souls of our Students Video: Premiers March 8, 2009 at 3pm at ImaginOn

An award winning documentary featuring local high school students sharing heartfelt reflections on the realities of life in Charlotte, and how it feels to be ‘different’ in a community that is becoming increasingly diverse. This documentary is now part of CMS 9^th grade curriculum and will be part of the Levine Museum of the New South’s exhibit, “Changing Places: From Black and White to Technicolor.”

Partners: Mecklenburg Ministries, Temple Beth El, Charlotte Coalition for Social Justice and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.. Funding was provided b the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation.

3. Friday Friends Festival

A celebration of the over 500 people throughout the Charlotte community who have committed to being lunch partners across differences: African American, Caucasian, Latino, Native American, Asian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i, Unitarian and Christian. On February 19, 2009 the group will host the 2^nd Annual communitywide Friday Friends Festival at the Wachovia Atrium. Anyone interested in being a “Friday Friend” is invited – for free – to this festival.

Friday Friends, a Crossroads Charlotte initiative, is funded through a grant from Foundation For The Carolinas. The 2009 Friday Friends Festival is sponsored by Wachovia and Compass Group; the 2008 Festival was sponsored by Merrill Lynch.

4. Third year of I.O.O.B.Y. Youth Camp leads to 1^st Adult I.O.O.B.Y Retreat

Too often we hear the phrase, “Not in MY backyard.” Mecklenburg Ministries resolutely named our interfaith camp “In Our Own Backyard.” It is an interfaith, service-based summer camp experience for Charlotte’s high school youth. This camp is an immersion into our own city as well as an immersion in multi-cultural and interfaith relationships. It has been so successful that in 2009 Mecklenburg Ministries is holding its first Adult retreat version of “In Our Own Backyard.”

Funding was provided by: The Impact Fund of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation.

5. Creation of I.O.O.B.Y. Interfaith Youth Leadership Council

Youth who have been selected to participate in Mecklenburg Ministries’ I.O.O.B.Y. camp created a Youth Leadership Council which comes together monthly to address issues in our city, build interfaith and interracial relationships, and work together in service.

6. Critical Needs Response Fund

This emergency relief program is designed to address immediate needs of our city during this time of economic crisis. This fund offers grants to shelter, feed, clothe and keep warm those in need over the cold winter months from December, 2008 – March, 20009.

Partners: The Leon Levine Foundation, Mecklenburg Ministries, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Central Carolinas and Foundation For The Carolinas.

7. Launch of Soul to Soul: An Expansion of the Souls of White Folks program

Traditionally, programs in race relations have brought participants together as though the playing field were level. The innovation of Mecklenburg Ministries’ Soul to Soul project is to offer programs that do not ignore the elements of power and privilege inherent in our social system. The project addresses issues of equity, privilege, and inter-racial trust and is structured to work with leaders of faith communities and congregations.

Funding was provided by: The John L. and James S. Knight Foundation and Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

8. 33rd Annual Citywide Interfaith Thanksgiving service

Hosted by Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, over 1500 persons attended this service that included an interfaith Children’s Choir, students from Mecklenburg Ministries’ Youth Leadership Council and people from 28 different congregations singing in the Interfaith Adult Choir. The record offering went to Crisis Assistance Ministry and canned goods were collected for local food pantries.

9. Peace Day Celebration

Held to observe the International Day of Peace, this annual event included speakers: Rahman Khan of Ash Shaheed Mosque, Rabbi Micah Streiffer of Temple Beth El and Lucy Bierer of Myers Park High School, the senior who won the citywide essay contest on peace. Dr. Thomas Moore coordinated and Moira Quinn led the music which included Trinity Episcopal School Choir and the Community Interfaith Singers

10. Re-launch of InnerChange

A 4-hour program of Mecklenburg Ministries in which people of different races, religions, and backgrounds come together to expand their understanding of differences; exchange views of privilege, power and prejudice; interact through structured exercise and personal storytelling; share their vision for the future of our community; have fun and get to know one another; and explore ways to move past differences to respect, understanding, appreciation – and deeper self awareness.

Funding was provided by: a Front Porch Grant of the Foundation for the Carolinas

These and many other great achievements were made possible by your generous donations. Thank you!