The Summit of Faiths seeks to celebrate the varied spiritual wisdom in our region, while encouraging interfaith understanding to build a strong community of Faiths that can find common solutions or actions on the issues facing the region.

The Summit is loosely modelled after the international Parliament of World’s Religions, which I had the opportunity to attend last year. It is a gathering where the traditions in our region can come together to seek further understanding and collaboration as a spiritual community in facing the issues present in our region.

Taking place at the Our Lady of the Elms Theater on Saturday Oct 1 and Sunday Oct 2 as a key event during the 7th Annual Akron Peace Week. Programming runs from the early morning into the evening. The Sikh community will be providing a “Lungar” lunch for all attendees. The event is free and open to all, though registration is suggested, as there are a limited number of seats.

Ranging from keynote talks, to panel discussions, to hands-on workshops and some music and art presentations it will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with the spiritual community in NE Ohio.

The Main theme is Peace, though there will also be themes of racial and social justice, Addiction, Violence and Women’s Empowerment.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 (DAY 1)
10:00 – 10:10 a.m.: Opening Ceremony (A short prayer and Welcome)
10:15 – 10:45 a.m.: Speaker — Rabbi Horowitz (Message of interfaith cooperation in context of bringing peace in our communities.)
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.: Panel — Panel Presenters: Ms. Kary Lewis, VP of AAIC (Mormon); Prof. Emeritus, Dr. Bhardwaj (Hindu); Rev. John King (Christian); Mr. Rob Rothschild (Bahai) (Based on your own faith: how and what role can faith community play to be part of the solution in addressing challenges facing our communities?)
11:30  – 11:45 a.m.: Breakout groups
11:45 – 11:55 a.m.: Groups Report Back
12:00  – 12:50 p.m.: Lunch Break (Lungar or lunch from Jaipur Junction not yet confirmed)
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Circle of Prayers from all faiths (Facilitator, Devi Gursahaney (What is Prayer? Do you believe in prayers? When do you turn to prayers? How does it provide comfort or solace?)
1:35 – 2:05 p.m.: Speaker — Prof. Dr. Said Shiyab (Islam) (How does Islam overlap with other religions? Finding commonalities between three Abrahamic Faiths)
2:05 – 2:20 p.m.: Breakout Groups
2:20 – 2:40 p.m.: Groups Report Back
2:50 – 3:20 p.m.: Speaker — Mr. Rob Rothschild (Bahai faith and Racial Justice)
3:20 – 3:35 p.m.: Breakout groups
3:35 – 4:45 p.m.: Groups Report Feedback
4:50 – 5:20  p.m.: Speaker, Joe Tucker, Executive Director, South Street Ministries (Role of faith communities in healing the incarcerated/rehabilitation of the inmates)
5:20 – 5:35 p.m.: Breakout Groups
5:35 – 5:45 p.m.: Groups Report Back
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.: Meditation (Zach Freidhof)
6:35 – 6:55 p.m.: Closing Ceremony (Zach Freidhof) Music/ Chanting / Peace Prayers
7:00 p.m.: Wrap Up for Day 1

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 (Day 2)
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.: Opening Meditation (Kristoffer KC Carter)
10:35  – 11:00 a.m.: Circle of Prayer (Facilitated by Kary Lewis
11:05  – 11:35 a.m.: Speaker — Dr. Gurdass Dass (Sikh) (The concept of Langar — Seva for the community)
11:35 – 11:50 a.m.: Breakout groups
11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Groups Report Back
12:15  – 1:00 p.m.: Lunch Break (Lungar not yet confirmed)
1:15 – 1:20 p.m.: Peace Prayer
1:20 – 1:50 p.m.: Speaker – Sister MaryAnn (Dominican Sisters of Peace; Divine Feminine How that inspire dignity, equality and respect for women)
1:50 – 2:35 p.m.: Breakout Groups
2:35 – 2:45 p.m.: Groups Report Back
2.50 pm – 3.20 pm- Speaker Sarah Shendy (Islam) Trainer for Ohio Police Academy
(The role of Police in dealing with violence, faith perspectives. Myths and stereotypes when dealing with people of diverse faiths, nationality etc.)
3:20 – 3:35 p.m.: Breakout Groups
3:35 – 4:45 p.m.: Groups Report Back
4:50 – 5:10 p.m.: Kate Valentine (Sufism) (Contemplation and reflection: How does spirituality play a role in bringing peace to self and others)
5:10 – 5:25 p.m.: Breakout Groups
5:25  – 5:35 p.m.: Groups Report Feedback
5:40 – 6:10 p.m.: Sufi Dance Ms. Kathy Graf
6:15 – 6:55 p.m.: Closing Ceremony – (Zach Freidhof) (Music/ Chanting/ dancing, drumming etc.)
7:00 p.m.: Wrap Up for Day 2