Multi-Faith Concert Will Benefit Interfaith Charity

“Songs of Life” Interfaith Concert To Benefit Local Charity

North Bethesda, Maryland – Local musicians will present the second annual “Songs of Life” interfaith concert on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at 3 pm at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church at 10701 Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda, MD. The concert is open to the public. Free-will donations are requested and will go to support the Interfaith Works Clothing Center of Rockville.

The program will include works from different faith traditions as well as selections of Western classical music. Chamber and choral works will draw on universal themes of gratitude, love, sorrow, nature, service, grace, renewal, and unity, among others.

The concert is a collaboration of Kehila Chadasha Jewish Community, Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church, Indonesian Kids Performing Arts, Kolot HaLev—Voices of the Heart—A Jewish Community Choir, Christ Congregational Church United Church of Christ, the IMAAM (Indonesian Muslim American Association in America) Center, and the Indonesian American Association.

“The purpose of the concert is to enjoy music together, enhance ties among communities of different faiths, and support the great work of the Interfaith Works Clothing Center and its parent organization, Interfaith Works,” says concert organizer and flutist Shira Reeves, who is a member of Kehila Chadasha. “Music is connection!”

Monica Barberis-Young, director of the Interfaith Works Clothing Center, adds, “We are looking forward to another beautiful concert showcasing a diverse array of talent in keeping with the spirit of Interfaith Works’ mission, which is built upon support from congregations across many different faith traditions. The performers and audience members so clearly connect with that spirit of inclusiveness. Thanks to their generosity, families and individuals in our community will get the help they need to lift themselves out of poverty and homelessness.”

Learn more about the event here.

The Interfaith Works (IW) Clothing Center provides low-income families with clothing and home goods free of charge, allowing them to use more of their resources on food, rent, utilities, medicine, and other basic needs. Ms. Reeves was inspired to organize the first “Songs of Life” benefit concert, which took place in May 2017, after volunteering at the IW Clothing Center and seeing the renovated space where Interfaith Works has upgraded and expanded its services. Interfaith Works, a leading non-profit serving more than 16,000 Montgomery County residents annually, is in its 46th year of helping low-income residents lift themselves from poverty through prevention, stabilization and empowerment programs. http://www.iworksmc.org/interfaith-works-clothing-center/

Indonesian Kids Performing Arts (IKPA) is an independent non-profit organization engaged in Indonesian's arts and cultures, especially those involving school-aged children. IKPA's mission is to build the character of Indonesian children born in the United States and those who moved to the United States, through music, arts and cultural activities, as well as introducing them to the US and international communities in Washington, D.C. area. IKPA is committed to preserving the culture of the Indonesian nation and affirming the diversity of Indonesian art, culture and identity. IKPA's activities include choir, dance, musical instruments, and theater. http://www.ikpausa.org

Kehila Chadasha is a progressive and inclusive Jewish community in the Washington, DC, area that is devoted to social action and engagement. Music is at the heart of the Kehila Chadasha community. The organization is proud to be a partner of Interfaith Works and the IW Clothing Center. http://www.e-kehila.org.

Kolot HaLev—Voices of the Heart is the only independent community choir in the Greater Washington DC area focusing on Jewish choral music that does not require singers to audition. Kolot HaLev is choir-in-residence at Shirat HaNefesh (Song of the Soul) Congregation, and draws members from throughout the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, regardless of congregational or religious affiliation. http://www.kolothalev.org

Christ Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is a Just Peace, open, affirming, and anti-racist congregation, honoring and celebrating people of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. A covenant community, congregants are bound together not by agreeing to a creed, but by the intention to walk together on their spiritual journeys. In keeping with the pioneer spirit in which it was founded, Christ Congregational Church has been at the forefront of national and local movements to address issues of social justice. https://www.cccsilverspring.org/

Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church (which hosted the inaugural Songs of Life concert in 2017) is an active, inter-generational congregation valuing mission, music and education. The community has a strong emphasis on social action, and has been a supporter of Interfaith Works and the IW Clothing Center for many years. http://www.warnermemorial.org/

Saint Mark Presbyterian Church seeks to be an open and inclusive community of Christian faith pursuing the love of G-d and neighbor, while honoring the gifts of all people. Saint Mark welcomes persons of every race and class, ability or sexual orientation, including children and adults with disabilities and their families, who seek to grow more deeply in their relationship with G-d and serve others. The church strives to ensure programs and facilities are accessible to all and to accommodate any special needs. Interfaith Works is one of Saint Mark’s Mission partners. http://www.saintmarkpresby.org/

Indonesian American Association works to empower the Indonesian Diaspora community in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area through programs and activities that build bonds among the community members, develop the community members’ skills, and increase the economic power of the community. http://www.indonesianamerican.org/

IMAAM Center (a Muslim place of worship in Silver Spring) is a Center for prayer, community engagement, and spiritual nourishment. It encourages its attendees and members to serve the community as part of good citizenship. http://imaamcenter.org/