COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
MeckMIN offers several community programs that encourage interfaith collaboration. Learn more about how to join Mecklenburg's faith, nonprofit and community leaders in their efforts to build bridges. Explore our youth volunteer and community service projects, encourage your house of faith to host an Open Table event or enroll in a monthly Food for Thought presentation where we share relevant issues of common concern.
Below is a full list of all the different ways you can participate. Thank you for helping us build bridges!
During the COVID pandemic, all community programs will be held virtually until further notice.
ANTI-RACISM TRAINING
MeckMIN offers a variety of trainings which contribute to understanding of the work of anti-racism; trainings are led by Executive Director, Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski. LeDayne is a Christian pastor ordained in the Baptist tradition who has extensive training and experience in Conflict Transformation as well as Trauma Awareness and Resilience. The trainings can be adapted to a variety of settings, both faith-based and secular. MeckMIN has compiled a roster of local people and groups who are willing to work with houses of faith and community organizations to plunge into transformative conversations. Click here to access the anti-racism resource list
ANNUAL COMMUNITY LEADER
AWARDS BREAKFAST
At this annual event held during the month of May, we honor local leaders with three awards: the Sydnor Thompson, Jr. Community Leader Award, the Bridge-Builder Award, and the Beth Wells Interfaith Service Award. The breakfast is also our largest fundraiser of the year.
Catch a glimpse of our
2020 Community Awards Breakfast!
OPEN TABLES
Dinner and dialogue sessions hosted by local congregations. Through fellowship and food, Open Tables aims to build substantive relationships among our diverse congregations based on our shared humanity, reaching beyond the divides of tribalism. MeckMIN will connect congregations willing to host with congregations of other faiths and/or racial/ethnic make-ups willing to attend. Please email for further information on upcoming Open Table events.
QUARTERLY INTERFAITH
SERVICE PROJECTS
Projects that build awareness of the needs of our communities and promote relationship building with those whom we serve. Please email to learn more about our upcoming interfaith service projects.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
3rd Thursday of every month
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Zoom Presentations
Join us for lunch, a presentation and discussion about issues that affect our community; a way to gather persons from different faith groups and ethnicities, to break bread together, and to share in relevant issues of common concern. Search our news section for past topics
ANNUAL COMMUNITY-WIDE
INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE
People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcomed as we come together in a spirit of understanding to celebrate diversity and pray for unity. Each year this service is held in a different house of worship, and faith leaders across the community are invited to participate. Attendance at this service has reached as many as 1,500. Canned goods are collected for Loaves & Fishes; financial donations are shared by Crisis Assistance Ministries and MeckMIN. BECOME A SPONSOR!
FAITH CLUB
The MeckMIN Faith Club is a group of women of all faiths who gather to share books and friendship. New members are always welcome! The group shares leadership and discusses topics (books, articles, etc.) of a spiritual nature. This is a great opportunity to learn more about each other's faiths and to make lasting friendships.
Contact Saeeda Mubaarak via email button below for more information.
IN OUR OWN BACKYARD
Every year during the month of July, we hold our interfaith summer camp experience for high-school aged youth in Mecklenburg County. The purpose of the camp is to bring youth together from different faiths, races and socioeconomic backgrounds to learn more about each other’s faith traditions and to serve area residents in need. Participants visit various social agencies, travel by city bus, visit different houses of faith for worship services and develop their own interfaith service on the last evening of the program. Attendees are eligible to join the MeckMIN youth council.
MONTHLY YOUTH PROGRAMS
Our Interfaith Youth Programs are geared toward middle and high school students who meet monthly to connect with youth from different houses of faith to foster interfaith relationships, develop leadership skills, and participate in community service projects. In addition, participants are encouraged to be involved in planning and/or participating in the annual Community-wide Interfaith Thanksgiving Program, Community Leader Awards Breakfast, and In Our Own Backyard summer camp.
EAST CHARLOTTE LEADERS NEEDED
We're in the beginning stages of bringing together faith, community and nonprofit leaders on the East Side of Charlotte to build relationships, do community asset mapping, share information and resources and consider joint projects. If you are interested in joining this group or creating one in your area, please contact us for further information!
FAITH, COMMUNITY & NON-PROFIT
CHECK-IN MEETING
Our weekly check-in meeting is open to anyone interested in supporting compassionate community response to our most vulnerable neighbors in this time of crisis. Meetings are held every Thursday from 11:00am-12:00pm. You can find our weekly meeting minutes and recorded Zoom calls posted in MeckMIN News. Take a look at the important topics being covered and then become a part of team! Email MeckMIN Executive Director, LeDayne Polaski to receive Zoom access code via email. We look forward to seeing you!
WEDNESDAY MEDITATION GROUP
Wednesdays 7:00pm | Online
The Insight Meditation Community of Charlotte is dedicated to the practice of Insight (Vipassana) Meditation and Lovingkindness (Metta) practice. Persons of all faiths and beliefs who seek freedom of heart and mind are welcome. Insight Meditation is relevant in our current challenging times as a means for quieting the mind, trusting the heart and living with ease. Our Introductory Session for those new to meditation (or needing a refresher) begins at 7PM. The Zoom link for these sessions can be located on the website.