Welcome to a new season of Interfaith Dialogues! Please see below the list of topics for this term. Please feel free to suggest additional topics via email or in one of the dialogues.


All gatherings will begin at 6:30pm with a potluck meal and conclude around 8:30pm.

·         January 12
o   Topic: Moving from “Us vs. Them” to “We;” How to collaborate across difference and work in concert with others who hold fundamentally different beliefs.
o   Location: Brookings Public library [515 3rd Street]

·         February 9
o   Topic: The role of religion in enacting social change.
o   Location: Islamic Society of Brookings [724 11th Ave.]

·         March 16
o   Topic:  “Before the Flood” documentary and discussion on climate change
o   Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church [726 6th St.]

·         April 20
o   Topic: Climate Change at Home
o   Location: TBD

·         May 11
o   Topic: Love Thy Neighbor and Human Rights
o   Location: TBD

Welcome to a new season of Interfaith Dialogues! Please see below the list of topics for this term. Please feel free to suggest additional topics via email or in one of the dialogues.


All gatherings will begin at 6:30pm with a potluck meal and conclude around 8:30pm.

·         September 15
o   Topic: Religious schism. How and why have various religions divided into sects and what are the social, economic, and political implications of these divisions?
o   Location: Islamic Society of Brookings [724 11th Ave.]

·         October 13
o   Topic: Youth spiritual empowerment. How can we engage, equip, and enable young people to thrive in a multi-religious and multi-cultural world?
o   Location: United Church of Christ [828 8th St S.]

·         November 10
o   Topic: Favorite fables. What is your favorite tale from the history of your faith tradition? Visual aids are encouraged at this celebratory evening of storytelling!
o   Location: Brookings Public library [515 3rd Street]

·         December 8
o   Topic: Forgiveness. What perspectives and practices does your faith tradition offer on forgiveness?
o   Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church [726 6th St.]

Interfaith Prayer and Reflection

7:30 pm at 1936 Orchard Drive

Join us the fourth Thursday of every month to share prayers, readings, poems, scripture, and music that illuminate specific themes.
·         September 22: Peace
·         October 27: Hope
·         November 24: Gratitude
·         December 22: Joy
These gatherings are intended to foster spiritually heightened conversations, fellowship, and common cause. All are welcome. For more information, contact Dianne at 605-695-7596.

Upcoming BIC Discussion topics!

February 11, 2016

• Location: Islamic Society of Brookings [724 11th Ave.]
• Topic: Celebrating the best of our religions

March 15, 2016

• Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church [726 6th St.]
• Topic: Faith as daily practice

April 21, 2016

• Location: United Church of Christ [828 8th St S.]
• Topic: Environmental stewardship

May 10, 2016

• Location: Public Library [tentative]
• Topic: Gender equity

Please mark your calendars for these subsequent dialogues in our spring series. All gatherings will begin at 6:30pm with a potluck meal and conclude around 8:30pm. More details about each event to follow...

Veterans reflect on war, warriors, and “holy wars"

Brookings Interfaith Council will meet on Thursday, November 12, 6:30 pm at the Islamic Society of Brookings (724 11th Avenue, Brookings) the day after the U.S. recognizes it's military veterans. On this special evening, the gathering will hear from some local veterans about their understanding of service to their country, before, during, and after the conflict. They will also reflect on their perception of what is commonly called "holy war."

 Members of the Dialogue from different religious traditions will also share the way their traditions have responded to war, sometimes blessing them as "holy," and how they have responded to those veterans who serve.

Please bring a potluck dish to pass, if you are able, or just show up for the evening. All are welcome. Invite a friend. Please be aware that many in our interfaith community do not eat pork or may be vegetarian.

Curious about Hinduism, one of the oldest religions in the world with approximately 1 billion followers? Want to know its origin, celebrations and significance? The next Brookings Interfaith Council (BIC) discussion will have presentations, demonstrations, and a Q&A about Hinduism. Please join us for an informative discussion and great food.

BIC will meet at 6:30 pm on Thursday, October 8th at The United Church of Christ who have gracefully agreed to host this event (UCC is located at 828 8th St S - between Medary and 7th ave S; Please see https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2965614,-96.7907817,17z?hl=en).

Please bring a potluck dish to pass, if you are able, or just show up for the evening. All are welcome. Invite a friend. Please be aware that many in our interfaith community do not eat pork or may be vegetarian.

Next BIC Event to Focus on Science and Faith

The Brookings Interfaith Council (BIC) will meet at 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 10^th, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (726 Sixth Street / Corner of 6^th Street and 8^th Ave) in the Thorburn Fellowship Hall (Lower Level). Our customary potluck will be followed by some brief presentations and discussion on science and faith.

Evolution versus Creation! Medical Science versus Faith! Many of you might be familiar with various positions Christians hold regarding such topics. Have you ever wondered if Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or Bahá'ís hold similar positions? If so, please join us for good food and great discussion!

Please bring a potluck dish to pass, if you are able, or just show up for the evening. All are welcome. Invite a friend. Please be aware that many in our interfaith community do not eat pork or may be vegetarian.

Next BIC Event to Focus on Religious Imagery and Respect

The Brookings Interfaith Council will next meet at 6:30pm on Thursday, May 14, at the Brookings Public Library. Our customary potluck will be followed by a broad-ranging discussion regarding religious imagery and respect.

Over the last year there has been much conflict and inflamed debate over the offensive portrayal of religious figures and the limits of speech. Questions arise, such as:

• Do European and North American countries have speech laws that other countries or cultures do not understand? 
• Do Westerners have difficulty understanding the cultural and legal traditions of others?
• How has the history of Christianity and European civilization developed in a manner different from Islam (or other traditions) regarding religious images and depictions of sacred things? 

We invite you to join us in exploring these questions and gaining a better understanding of the differences and assumptions behind these confrontations.

Please bring a potluck dish to pass, if you're able, or just show up for the evening. All are welcome. Invite a friend. Please be aware that many in our interfaith community do not eat pork or may be vegetarian.