Hickory – Members and the general public are cordially invited and encouraged to attend Catawba Valley Interfaith Council’s 2019 Assembly of the Council. This event will be held at 7 pm on June 20, 2019 at Belk Centrum on the Lenoir-Rhyne University campus. The program this year will feature Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church who will present a conversation-style program with Abdul Rahman Latif on the topic of “Who is My Neighbor: Understanding Islam in an Age of Islamophobia.” Abdul is a PhD candidate in Columbia University’s Department of Religion. He formerly served as Muslim campus minister at Boston College and spent many formative years here in North Carolina.

Subsequent to the program, a business meeting will provide an opportunity for current 2019 members to vote on a slate of Board nominees and bylaws changes. Initial membership applications and 2019 membership updates can be completed prior to the voting process.

The slate of Board nominees to be voted upon, each for a three-year term, is as follows:
· Donald P. Flick (United Church of Christ) – current incumbent
· Nancy C. Stahl (Disciples of Christ and Chaplain at Frye) – current incumbent
· Samuel E. Hunt (NAACP, Hickory Branch President) – new nominee
· Betty P. Lohr (Holy Trinity and St. Andrew’s Lutheran) – new nominee

There are presently 14 persons serving on CVIC’s Board of Directors, four of whose terms are expiring. Two incumbents are being nominated for an additional term as noted above. If these, along with the two new nominees are elected, Board composition would be maintained at 14. CVIC By-laws permit a maximum Board size of 15. Additional nominations may be made by members from the floor at the June 20th meeting.

Belk Centrum (625 7th Ave. NE) is directly behind the Rhyne Building. The closest parking is on 7th Ave. NE, which runs in front of the venue. The University Christian High School lot at 602 7th Ave. NE is another option. “Faculty” slots can also be used for parking, as this is an evening event.

The Catawba Valley Interfaith Council (CVIC) is a compassionate interfaith community in the Catawba Valley of North Carolina that fosters acceptance and respect for all. Our mission is to be a group of faith-based and secular communities serving as a catalyst for hope and cooperating for the purpose of dialogue, information sharing, and celebration.

Catawba Valley Interfaith Council Email: [email protected]