Welcome to Faith Fest Owensboro!
Faith Fest 2023--Our 13th Year! (Nov. 3-19):
---- 2023 Website
---- 2023 Brochure (p-01) (p-02)
---- 2023 One-Page Flier (schedule)
What is Faith Fest Owensboro?
What is Faith Fest Owensboro?
Faith Fest Owensboro began in 2011 by the work of the Owensboro-Daviess County Ministerial Association (ODCMA) as 'A Celebration of the Many Religions in Our Area' with the purpose to nuture Owensboro as a compasionate community.
Faith Fest is an interfaith event including several local faith communities. Participants have included the following: Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Earth-based, Hindu, Humanist, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, and Sikh
Why Faith Fest Owensboro?
This series of events provides the opportunity to learn about world religions right here at home. However, this learning about world religions and various 'flavors' of Christianity, is not just informational.
We are meeting each other in our own faith homes. We are viewing each other's books and art. We are sharing things that are dear to us without trying to proselytize. Faith Fest provides an opportunity to grow in appreciation of other faiths and our own through the eyes of practitioners. Faith Fest is an experience of living Traditions.
As we get to know each other and understand each other trust is built so that when we disagree, we can still see each other as friends. Hopefully, understanding and trust will lead to further collaboration and the building of a more compassionate community.
Interfaith dialog seeks common ground yet acknowledges differences. It recognizes differences really do matter, but need not block the growth of a compassionate society.
Faith Fest Owensboro Format & Schedule
Faith Fest begins on the first Friday of November and concludes on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and includes opportunities for education, prayer, and fellowship. It concludes with an Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service which began in 2008. Each year has some new events and new communities. A sampling of events from previous years are listed below.
Faith Fest Owensboro schedules are distributed to local Faith Communities several weeks before the event and posted on this website. This annual event is sponsored by the Owensboro-Daviess County Ministerial Association and Owensboro Area Faith Communities.
Planning Headquarters is 1UU c/o Rev. Dr. Claudia A. Ramisch / 270-683-1462. If you have additional questions or wish to participate in Faith Fest please contact Rev. Claudia.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service
Faith Fest Owensboro concludes with an Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service.
Faith Communities are invited to present a brief Thanksgiving prayer or teaching about gratitude from their Tradition. Refreshments are provided after the service. Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for a local charity.
An invitation to community leaders for this Service is included in the packet distributed to participating communities and on this website. If your community would like to participate, please contact Rev. Claudia by the Thursday before the service so you can be listed on the program.
A Sampling of Faith Fest Events
Keynote lectures
- 2017 Rev. Dr. Tammy Gieselman: "The Power of an Idea"-
(@ Woodlawn UMC) - 2016 Dr. Court Lewis: "The Philosophy of Forgiveness"-
(@ Daviess County Public Library) - 2015 Aloma Dew: "The Influence of Women of Faith on Kentucky History"- (@ Woodlawn UMC)
- 2014 Rev. Dr. Claudia A. Ramisch: "The Changing Landscape of Religion in U.S. & Interfaith Dialog"- (@ Woodlawn UMC)
- 2013 Amanda Blohm-Thompson: "Teaching World Religions in a Public University"- (@ Woodlawn UMC)
- 2012 Dr. Isabel Mukonyora: "The Changing Face of Christianity"- (@ Woodlawn UMC)
- 2011 Lucinda Mosher, ThD: "Interfaith Dialogue in the Neighborhood"- (@ Trinity Episcopal Church)
- 2011 Sr. Miriam Therese Winter, PhD: "Spirituality in a Quantum Universe"- (@ Brescia)
Tour of Faith Homes
This event is very popular. Several communities open their Faith Homes to the public and provide guided tours through their place of worship. Each shares information about their faith, their history in Owensboro, programs, etc. and answers questions.
It is a relaxed atmosphere without trying to convince or convert. Refreshments are usually provided. You can visit only one Faith Home or as many as you like during the hours published in the Faith Fest Owensboro brochure. Recent participants include the following:
- Asbury UMC
- Blessed Sacrament Chapel
- Century Christian Church
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
- Faith Lutheran Church
- Islamic Center of Owensboro
- Mt. St. Joseph Motherhouse Chapel
- St. Stephen Cathederal
- Sts. Joseph & Paul
- Salvation Army
- Temple Adath Israel
- Third Baptist Church
- Tri-State Hindu Temple
- 1UU (Unitarian Universalist)
- Zion United Church of Christ
Faith Communities Hosted
The following Faith Communities participate in Faith Fest and share information about their faith and answer questions, but as they do not have a physical home, they are hosted within other Faith Homes for Faith Fest.
- Bahai
- Earth-based Traditions
- The Folkways (Paganism)
- Owensboro Area Humanists
- Soka Gakkai International (Nichiren Buddhism)
Celebration Concerts
Music is an important part of any celebration. The following nationally touring groups have performed at Faith Fest. Seating may be limited and there may be an admission charged for concerts so check current brochure for details.
- Emma's Revolution: A Folk-Rock Celebration (1UU)
- HuDOST: A Neo Folk World Rock Ensemble from Montreal provided an Evening of Intimate Song including Sufi Kirtans (Zion UCC)
- Heath & Molly: Revolutionary Roots Rock (1UU)
Lectures & Activities
- Sacred Text Exhibit- (@ Daviess County Public Library)
- Owensboro High School Art Exhibit- (@ Third Baptist Church)
- Embracing Interfaith Cooperation: Eboo Patel on Coming Together to Change the World DVD mini-course with discussion- (@ Zion UCC)
- Centro Latino Potluck Fiesta- (@ Sts. Joseph & Paul)
- Service Opportunity to volunteer for Soup Kitchen every Saturday 4:30-6:30 pm. Call in advance to participate: 270-683-9868- (@ Woodlawn United Methodist)
- Dr. Court Lewis: Philosophy & Dr. Who- (@ Daviess County Public Library)
- Speed Dialogue from Project Interfaith- (@ Brescia & Zion UCC)
- Children's Poems & Prayers- (@ Daviess County Public Library)
- Tea, Music, & Dance a Cultural Event for Women Only- (@ St. Stephens Cathederal, Undercroft)
- Taize Service with Music, Scripture, & Meditation- (@ Faith Lutheran Church)
- Book Discussion Darsan: Seeing the Divine Image in India by Diana L. Eck- (@ 1UU)