Faith Fest, a 2.5-week celebration of different faith communities in Owensboro, is returning for the 12th year. Events begin Friday and continue through November 20 and will include educational events and prayer services in several traditions. Two highlight events include the Community Remembrance Project and the 18th Annual CROP Hunger Walk.
The Community Healing Project is “an interfaith group working to heal racial injustice and tell the full truth of local history” in cooperation with the Equal Justice Initiative. During the ceremony, participants will dig soil from the site of a lynching at the Daviess County Courthouse. Forrest Roberts and The Rev. Rhondalyn Randolph have been involved in the work that has been going on for more than a year already regarding the project.
The Hunger Walk will take place at 3 p.m. on November 13 and begins at the Joe Ford Nature Center and continues along the Greenbelt. Local nonprofit Beverly’s Hearty Slice will receive 25% of the funds raised, with the rest going to emergency relief, sustainable farming cooperatives, seed banks, etc. You can donate or sign up to walk here.
The entire list of events, and the Zoom link for the two lectures, is available at FaithFest.org.
Faith Fest kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Friday with Jummah, congregational Friday prayers at the Islamic Center of Owensboro (3131 W. Alvey Drive). There will be a Sacred Text Exhibit on Saturday and a keynote lecture about the enrichment of interfaith engagement from The Rev. Dr. Court Lewis on Sunday.
There will be a Torah study on November 10. On November 12, Nonviolent Owensboro is hosting a family event and telling the story of Sadako & the Peace Cranes.
The second keynote lecture will be delivered on November 14 by Dr. Robert Stockman, speaking on the sacredness of nature and nature as a sign of divine beauty.
After Solemn Vespers on November 16, Faith Fest will conclude with the 15th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service hosted by the Owensboro Interfaith Center on November 21 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Owensboro.
