(‘The Interfaith Congregation’) is a religious, 501 c3 non-profit organization, founded by clergy with a vision of the need for true interfaith dialogue and for the promotion of peace and understanding in our world today.
Our Mission is to celebrate Interfaith spirituality through community, worship, & ordination.
We welcome everyone ‐ no matter who you are, who you love, where you’ve been and what you believe – into our community. As we gather for peace, connectivity, reverence, creativity and healing. People from all walks of life are invited to participate as fully as they wish.
As a place of worship & collective and individual ministry, the Interfaith clergy and members of The Interfaith Congregation seek to:
- Support people in finding meaning within life, crisis, suffering, and loss, as well as sorting out their relationship to the Great Mystery.
- Provide compassionate, respectful spiritual care to people of all faiths, as well as people of no faith.
- Seek to honor both the diversity and the unity of all beings, cultures and faith traditions.
- Serve as celebrants (as applicable) and assist others in ritualizing the cycles of life, including weddings and memorials.
- Serve the unnamed and named God, and remain open to engaging new faith traditions that are not familiar.
- Recognize the Holy everywhere: in prisons, hospitals and hospices, corporations, houses of worship, nature and the streets.
- Delight in the rich gifts and lessons of the wisdom teachings and truths of other faith traditions, while also fully embracing our own respective traditions.
As a place of worship, The Interfaith Congregation is one of two distinct entities of The Chaplaincy Institute for Arts and Interfaith Ministries. The second entity is the The Interfaith Seminary, which prepares people for Interfaith ministry, many of whom then ordain with The Interfaith Congregation. For more information about ordination as an Interfaith Minister, click here.
Planning Your Visit
When and where are services held?
Services are held monthly at 5:30 pm and typically last until 7pm. Our address is 2149 Byron Street, in Berkeley, CA. The schedule is posted here.
Is parking available?
On-street free parking is available in the surrounding area, but please arrive early to give yourself time to find a space.
Is the building accessible for those with disabilities?
Yes. Our building is accessible in many ways to those with disabilities and special needs, including a ramp from the side gate entrance.
Are children welcome?
Yes! Child care is not available.
What should I wear?
Dress is casual. Wear what is comfortable for you. Some people dress more formally, and that's fine too.
What can I expect when I visit your service?
A typical service includes thoughtful readings or personal stories from our minister or community members, musical performances, singing together, and a sermon by our minister. The topic for the upcoming worship service is announced on Facebook page, which is viewable here.
Will someone try to "sell me" on your congregation? I don't like to be pressured.
We want to make every visitor feel welcomed and comfortable. You will not be pressured or given a "sales pitch." Please visit our welcome table and meet with our friendly greeters.
