1952
|
- US Congress proclaims National Day of Prayer for
Americans of all faiths to come together in prayer (first National Day
of Prayer was in 1775, but no law existed until 1952).
|
| 1987 |
- Reagan makes the NDP first Thursday in May.
|
| 1995 -
2004 |
- National Day of Prayer is officially proclaimed by
City of Troy, event is organized by NDP Task Force (no indication that
it is Christian-only; in fact, all City documents point to it being an
all-faith event, as would be legally correct).
|
| 2004
May |
- Padma Kuppa (PK) approaches organizer of NDP event
and is denied participation.
- PK contacts City Council, Mayor invites PK to recite
Hindu prayer during her opening remarks.
|
| 2005 Feb |
- PK (unaware of nature of NDP Task Force) approaches
NDP Task Force Coordinator to participate in 2005 NDP Celebration
|
| 2005
March |
- NDP Task Force Coordinator requests City to proclaim
"NDP-Christian Observance"
- Controversy surrounds issue, as City is threatened
with lawsuits for violation of 1st Amendment
- Troy Interfaith Group is formed and plans to organize
an interfaith service. City doesn't proclaim anything after going back
and forth
- Veteran's Committee requests City not to open Plaza
as a public forum. City designates public forums – not including steps
of City Hall (also known as Veteran's Plaza).
|
| 2005
April |
- TIG, supported by National Conference for Community
and Justice, (currently Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and
Inclusion), decides to have an annual NDP prayer service at houses of
worship
- NDP Task Force (with support from right-wing groups)
threatens lawsuit further for right to use steps of City Hall.
- Because Four Council members (Howrylak, Broomfield,
Lambert and Stine) support their right to use City Hall, Council passes
resolution to allow Veteran's Plaza to be a public forum.
- Northminster Presbyterian Church offers to host first
TIG NDP at 3633 W Big Beaver – at 7 pm on 05/05/05.
- Troy NDP Website states that they are conducting the
11th Annual NDP Observance in Troy.
- NDP Task Force is organizing such events around the
country – misrepresenting their mission as celebration of the National
Day of Prayer.
|
2005 May
|
- Christian Task Force has a Christian only NDP event
on steps of Troy City Hall – not supported by City of Troy in an
official way, but with many city`council members in attendance.
- TIG Interfaith NDP Celebration at Troy's Northminster
Presbyterian Church has attendance of over 250 (similar attendance) –
with collections from event given to Troy People Concerned (
www.tpchelps.org) - Mayor addresses this one and is threatened with a
recall petition (which later fails)
|
2005 June-Dec
|
- Dedication of Tree of Peace - also the Michigan State
Tree, a White Pine, famous with Native Americans who "buried the
hatchet" under the tree's roots; ribbons painted with the Golden Rule
from different faiths were tied to the Tree to celebrate Troy's 50th
anniversary.
- TIG International Day of Peace Celebration at the
Bharatiya Temple on Sept. 21: Movie makers of One (circleofbliss.com)
engage the audience in a discussion about the 20 basic questions
regarding one's life and faith.
- TIG Thanksgiving Celebration at Northminster
Presbyterian on Nov. 20: A theatrical presentation of Molly's Pilgrim
by Troy children was the highlight of the program.
|
2006
|
- TIG is a silver sponsor of City of Troy and Troy
School District MLK Event in January.
- TIG NDP Celebration on May 4, 2006 at St. Anastasia
Roman Catholic Church - intro from Fr. John Riccardo highlighted St.
Francis's interfaith work; Community youth lit candles representing
Golden Rule, Hindu duo present prayer through dance, Sweat Beat Jazz
Ensemble and St. Stephen's Episcopal Bell Choir provided music.
- TIG launches website - www.troyinterfaithgroup.org -
with initiative from Big Beaver United Methodist member.
- TIG International Day of Peace Celebration Islamic
Association of Greater Detroit Mosque involves discussion centered
around Reuniting the Children of Abraham project.
- TIG Thanksgiving Celebration at Big Beaver United
Methodist Church on Nov. 19 invites youth and other community members
to present stories about local immigrants who make a difference
(modeled after stories from America's Table, A Thanksgiving Reader).
|
2007
|
- TIG is a silver sponsor of City of Troy and Troy
School District MLK Event in January.
- TIG NDP Celebration at Troy First United Methodist
Church on May 2007, includes children from various faith communities
and also from Troy Schools singing the National Anthem, representing
the district's initiative to support the National Anthem Project.
- TIG International Day of Peace Celebration at St
Elizabeth Ann Seton RC Church on Sept. 21: High school movie makers
from Ann Arbor engage the audience in a discussion about the 20 basic
questions regarding one's life and faith.
- TIG Thanksgiving Celebration at St Stephen's
Episcopal Church included readings from TIG's First Annual Interfaith
Heroes Essay Contest winners, featured the annual personal
thanks-giving alphabet, and collections for TIG's two causes - Troy
People Concerned and Habitat for Humanity.
- TIG series "Exploring the Faiths of Our Community"
includes a visit to the Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church.
- TIG is the subject of a Case-Study at Harvard’s
Pluralism Project.
- Northminster Presbyterian Church presents plan to
build a Community Interfaith Labyrinth to honor their commitment to a
tolerant and accepting community, TIG's other Houses of Worship support
initiative, which receives funding to make in happen even before formal
fundraising begins.
|
2008
|
- TIG is a silver sponsor of City of Troy and Troy
School District MLK Event in January.
- TIG NDP Celebration planned for May 1, 2008 at
Congregation Shir Tikvah, 7 pm.
- TIG to participate in Habitat for Humanity Pontiac
Blitz Build in June.
- TIG International Day of Peace Celebration at a venue
TBD on Sept. 21.
- TIG Thanksgiving Celebration at a venue TBD on Nov.
23.
- TIG has other initiatives - such as building synergy
with the City's Ethnic Issues Advisory Board and the Troy School
District - through events and activities.
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