There was confusion between the new social work professionals and the church members who traditionally had been responsible for helping those in need. The Council of Social Agencies, along with the Richmond Ministerial Union, saw a need for understanding and cooperation between the religious community and the social agencies. To address this need, Rev. Dr. James C. Faw, a member of the Board of Directors for both agencies, turned to the women of the churches and synagogues who were already organized. A recommendation passed that a subcommittee of the Council be established. Dr. Faw and Dr. Guild assisted women from three faiths, Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish, to organize the Council of Church Women in 1929 as a sub-council of the Council of Social Agencies. This Council of Church Women was the first name of the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond. Mrs. McLean Whittet became the first chairwoman.

In 1940, the name of the Council of Church Women was changed to the Interfaith Council of the Richmond Area Church Women to avoid confusion with The Women's Council of Churches, an existing Protestant group. The purpose of the Interfaith Council was to study the health, welfare, and recreational needs of the Richmond community; to discuss those needs, suggesting appropriate action to the religious organizations; to interpret the social problems of the community to religious groups so that these groups and social agencies--both public and private--might coordinate their efforts against crime, poverty and disease.

Dr. Guild served as liaison between the Council of Church Women and the Richmond Council of Social Agencies until 1937. In that year, Dr. Faw was employed as the Executive Secretary of the Richmond Council of Social Agencies and was assigned responsibility for serving as liaison between the Richmond Council and the Interfaith Council. He served as a devoted adviser to the women's group for approximately 18 years, authoring a beautiful interfaith prayer which today has been adapted as a pledge.

The Interfaith Council works with other groups with similar objectives. In 1979 the Council accepted an invitation to affiliate with the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ). Others who network with us include the Virginia Council of Churches (VCC), the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (1991-92), and the Council for America's First Freedom (1997). In 1998 the Interfaith Council became a member of the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN). The Council's December program is a joint effort with the Virginia Interfaith Center.

In 1986, the Interfaith Council changed its name to the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond (ICGR) to reflect the expansion of its membership. Since that time the Bahá'í, Buddhist, Eckankar, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Sikh, and Zoroastrian faiths became members of the Interfaith Council.

The basic purpose of ICGR has remained the same over the years, but in 1991, a clarification was added to the statement of purpose: “The aim of the Council is not to worship together but to work together in cooperative community service among religious organizations in metropolitan Richmond.”

A new logo was adopted in 1991--a circle formed by emblems from the member religious groups surrounding the earlier logo showing two clasped hands. A banner was designed for the front of the meeting hall, and the extended logo was incorporated into all printed materials.

In June 1991, the Board provided for the extended membership by enacting the following guidelines:

• that interfaith consideration be given to all procedures, programs, practices, and dialogues, to be adapted as needed;
  
• that prayer in Interfaith Council meetings be a moment of silent prayer and meditation;
  
• that the place for meetings be given interfaith consideration and rotated on a regular basis;
  
• that the words “church/synagogue” be changed to “religious organization/congregation and “Christmas/Hanukkah” to “holiday.”
  

During its more than 75-year life, the Interfaith Council has received numerous commendations for service from local service agencies including Meals-on-Wheels, The Virginia Council of Social Welfare, The Richmond Area Community Council, The United Givers' Funds, the United Way, and the Volunteer Service Bureau. The Council was the recipient of the Second Annual Brotherhood Award of the Virginia Chapter of NCCJ.

The ICGR has performed significant long-term service to the community, but its purpose and activities have not been well known. Greater visibility, therefore, became a focus in 1991-92. In addition to the February Brotherhood/Sisterhood Youth Awards Program, we formed the first Interfaith Choir, and we held the first January Open House. We made an interfaith cookbook, greeting/holiday cards, and ICGR mugs to foster public recognition of the Council. Monthly meetings of the Council often feature representatives from the community who tell of the needs of fellow citizens. Members of the religious organizations carry this information to their groups for further action.

The Visions 2006 and Beyond outlines a need to provide education about the religious practices of the Richmond Community. ICGR has expanded its influence into the Family Peace Festival and co-hosting the Azim Kamiza forums to help reduce youth gang violence in the Richmond area. The 2006-2007 ICGR year began with the International Day of Peace prayer service at the Carillon and a proclamation by Governor Tim Kaine. ICGR was also privileged to co-host the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey with the Intercultural Dialogue Club of VCU.

Created to answer a need in the community, the Interfaith Council has been working to respond to community concerns ever since. In an atmosphere of economic distress and racial and religious tensions, the Interfaith Council is a group with compassion for individuals, understanding of community problems, and plans for future activities.

RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY: REFERENCES:	Mrs. Anne McKenney, ICGR Past President VCU James Cabell Library Archives and Special Collections: United Way Files Council of Social Agencies Minutes for February 1929-39, 1943, 1949 Interfaith Council Histories and Files
Additions and Editing by Lynn Johston & Sharon Clayton, 2006

For information, send Email to  Lynn Johnston,   or   Sharon Clayton,

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