About Us
History
The Interfaith Council of Western Massachusetts was formed in 1972 by local Jewish and Catholic clergy. Since then, the organization has expanded and become more diverse. Many of the members have met regularly and worked together for decades. The history of interfaith cooperation in greater Springfield predates the formation of the ICGS. Rev. Dr. Robert Loesch has written a comprehensive history of the region’s religious diversity, from 1636 to 1993.
Download it here.
The recent history, since 1993, of interfaith work in greater Springfield has been documented by a student from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Patricia Smith, here.
The Council exists to promote mutual understanding, cooperation, appreciation and friendship among different faith traditions. The representatives along with their organizations/judicatories will accomplish these goals through meetings, formal and informal education, and fellowship. Members will respond as local and national events/debates arise to give public witness of our shared values on justice/interfaith issues. This may include meeting with elected officials, writing editorial positions to local media, advocating for one another, raising awareness about prejudices, and striving for social justice solutions in our community.
— ICGS By-laws January 2018
The purpose of the Interfaith Council is to bring together faith groups for serious dialogue, exchange and education to achieve mutual understanding and a deeper awareness of the informed response to the historical experiences and contemporary concerns of various groups.
The Council will promote respect for the distinctive beliefs of its members without aiming at any modification or amalgamation or religious bodies.
The goal of the Interfaith Council is to continue to develop a coordinated educational and programmatic collaboration to create an environment of community study and interfaith communication in which programs, materials, ideas, resources and personnel can be shared, exchanged and made available to all faiths.
— ICGS by-laws January 2018
Officers
Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield
OPEN
Vice President
OPEN
Treasurer
Rev. Mia Kano
Secretary
Springfield College
Member Organizations
Bahá’í Faith Community of Greater Springfield
Springfield Local Spiritual Association
P.O. Box 81196
Springfield, MA 01138
https://pvbc.local.bahai.us/
Treasurer: Craig Harmsen
Secretary: Jilla Sabeti
Contact: Nina Dini
Baystate Medical Center Spiritual Services
(413) 794-0236
Contact: Rev. Ute Schmidt, Mgr of Spiritual Services & Clinical Pastoral Education
Episcopal Diocese of Western Mass
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral
35 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA
(413) 736-2742
Bishop: Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher
Contacts:
• The Very Rev. Tom Callard, Dean
• Steven Abdow, Canon for Mission Resources
christchurchcathedralma.org
St Mark’s Episcopal Church
(413) 525-6341
1 Porter Road, East Longmeadow, MA
Contact: Rev. Peter Swarr
www.stmarksma.org
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Western Mass Conference
Bethesda Lutheran Church / East Church UCC
455 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA
(413) 733-4494
Contact: Rev. Lauren Holm
St. Paul Lutheran Church
181 Elm Street, East Longmeadow, MA
(413) 525-6084
Contact: Rev. Anne Strickert
Islamic Society of Western Mass
377 Amostown Road, West Springfield, MA
(413) 788-7546
Imam: Wissam Abdul Baki
President: Mohammad Dastigir
Contacts:
• M. Saleem Bajwa, M.D.
• Mary Johnson
iswmonline.com
Jewish Federation of Western Mass
1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA
(413) 737-4313
Interim Executive Director: Nora Gorenstein
Contact: Michelle Everett
Temple Beth El
979 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA
(413) 733-4149
Contact: Rabbi Amy Wallk
Sinai Temple
1100 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA
(413) 736-3619
Contact: Rabbi Jeremy Master
Jewish Geriatric Services
770 Converse Street, Longmeadow, MA
(413) 567-3949
Contact: Rabbi Devorah Jacobson
National Conference of Community & Justice
820A Prospect Hill Rd., Windsor, CT
(860) 683-1339
Contacts:
• Cynthia Martin, President & CEO
• Nyavnu Stevens, Director of Programs
www.nccj.org
Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield
65 Elliot Street, Springfield, MA
(413) 732-3175
Bishop: Most Rev. Mitchell T. Rozanski
Contacts: Michael McGravey, Elms College, Sr. Mary Ferguson, SSJ, and Sr. Eileen Sullivan, SSJ, Pastoral Outreach Minister, St. Michael’s Cathedral
United Church of Christ, Hampden Association
Moderator: Rev. Rob Donaldson
Contacts:
• Rev. Jan Burdewik
• Rev. Barbara Schenk
• Rev. Dr. Robert Loesch (518)674-8204
Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield
245 Porter Lake Drive, Springfield, MA
(413) 736-2324
Contact: Rev. Jason Seymour
Winding Path Tendai Buddhist Sangha
36 Marengo Park, Springfield, MA
Contacts:
• Rev. Shingaku Jenny Henderson
• Rev. Ryushin Nick Karapasas
