Cultures, beliefs converge with Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Kellie Kotraba — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving – that’s one holiday greeting you hear at this time of year that’s not part of a specific faith tradition.

The idea of giving thanks transcends religious, social and cultural boundaries. Thanks can be expressed in any language or tradition.

And that’s just what happened Sunday at an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Christians, Muslims and Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists and Hindus, and people from several other faith traditions came together to share. Beliefs and languages converged as sounds of thanksgiving and peace rose through the air.

Muslims in Joplin receive interfaith support after mosque fire

Kellie Kotraba — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 13:00:00 +0000

It’s been about one month since a fire destroyed the only mosque in Joplin. Now, members of the Islamic Society of Joplin – and the interfaith community there – are picking up the pieces.

The mosque was burned down before daylight on August 6, during the holy month of Ramadan.

The FBI is still investigating the cause of the fire. Earlier in summer, on July 4, someone tried to set fire to the roof. That incident is still under investigation, too.