Building Community
Fostering and Developing Networks of Care and Awareness
There is always room at the table of our shared work. We know from our history that the vision of who we are is only as complete as the community that shows up to support that vision.
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Below, you will see the diversity of ways that we uphold events with a deep history in the org and community. We think of this legacy as a lineage of stewardship and offer our care to those recurring events. Interfaith Works has earned the community's trust over the many decades of service and is known for events that uphold justice, connection, and respect for all those involved.
While many of our events and programming are annual, there are times when the moment we face demands a response beyond those events. We listen to what is emerging in our council, giving space for sharing and discernment. We determine what is needed and then seek an expression of programming that can offer depth, connection, and respect to the need of the moment. So while we take great honor in upholding the annual events that define our work, we are open to innovating and being present to the moment's needs, offering up our energy as needed for the greater good.
Immigration Support Fund
Interfaith Works is involved in many actions to support immigrants, refugees, and supporting allies.
In 2025, the Interfaith Works Sanctuary Fund was restructured into the Immigrant Support Fund through the efforts of the newly formed Faith Network for Immigrant Support (FNIS), a coalition of faith and spiritual communities based in Thurston County. This new initiative builds on the foundation of the original Interfaith Works Sanctuary Fund, which began in 2018 as a collaboration among multiple faith communities to support sanctuary efforts at Temple Beth Hatfiloh.
The reimagined Immigrant Support Fund is designed to be more diverse and inclusive, extending support for both physical and non-physical sanctuary in response to the ongoing disruptions faced by our undocumented immigrant neighbors.
If you can help support these efforts, please consider making a donation below or mailing your contribution to Interfaith Works, designating it for the “Immigrant Support Fund” via the memo line or with a note to Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia, WA 98507.
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Moment of Blessing
Moment of Blessing is a faith-based response to cases of homicide, to reclaim the place of violence as a place of life and peace. When we learn of a homicide in our region that has happened in a public space, we seek to connect with the family to see if they would value participating in these sacred gatherings. We then create a space of reflection, honoring, and remembrance at or near the place of the homicide event. These gatherings include sacred readings, times of silent prayer and reflection, space for the family or community to share, and the tying of a ribbon to the memory pole with the name and dates of life of the person being honored.
These gatherings are poignant and healing for those who attend. We have often heard how powerful it is to gather near the space where the loss occurred and the power of the gatherings to create a new narrative of connection and love in a place where violence had occurred.
Clergy Breakfast
These quarterly breakfasts serve as a way for clergy and religious/spiritual leaders to come together, share a meal, and discuss their common calling. We offer reflection prompts about the work of service to spiritual communities and those attending get extended time in small groups to answer the questions from the diversity of their religious traditions.
This kind of time with other ministers from other traditions is so rare and is deeply valued by those who attend. The relationship building and sense of connection for those who can often feel siloed in their role is invaluable.
These gatherings are also a place to share updates from their communities about social justice work, initiatives that impact the community, and offers for mutual support or collaboration. We do share about updates and activity going on within Interfaith Works, but the emphasis of these gatherings is a place of support, rest, and connection for the clergy who are able to attend.
Earth Day
This annual event occurs on or near Earth Day and seeks to deepen and enliven our shared sense of earth stewardship. We do this through shared stories, songs, poems, and reflections on the teachings of Earth stewardship from the diverse traditions in our network. Earth stewardship teachings from our network's diverse traditions.
This event opens opportunities to partner with regional organizations that do work on climate change, regenerative farming, and education around connecting and reconnecting with our sacred planet.
There is a historic commitment to seek ways this event can either support or feature Indigenous wisdom, and this is done through direct sharing by regional Indigenous contributors or through recognition of Indigenous wisdom through materials.
The event is held outdoors in regional parks, gardens, forests, or shorelines. It incorporates practices that foster connection with these locations, thus deepening our experience and response to the natural world.
Up in Smoke BBQ
Unkle Marv’s Up In Smoke BBQ AKA the party of the year! This annual event was started as a collaboration with a former shelter guest, Marvin Bennett, and continues to this day!
Summer Camp
Interfaith Works’ Summer Camp, held each year in mid-July, is called “Faith Explorations” and features a unique theme annually. This vibrant and inclusive camp is designed for children in grades 2–6 to learn about diverse faith traditions, build lasting friendships, and explore what it means to be a good neighbor. Through engaging, hands-on activities—such as stories, crafts, dance, music, and drama—led by volunteers from the Interfaith Works Program Council, campers are invited to discover different religions, embrace diversity, and celebrate our shared humanity.
Resetting Our Sacred Table
In 2021, Interfaith Works offered our annual autumnal event under the new name "Resetting Our Sacred Table." The event has since evolved as a space for interfaith sharing, truth-telling, and community healing. Initially prompted by discussions within Interfaith Works' Program Council, the event emerged as an intentional effort to examine and challenge the mainstream Thanksgiving narrative, particularly its impact on Indigenous communities. Acknowledging the historical trauma and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous peoples, the council sought to listen and learn, leading to outreach and collaboration with the Squaxin Island Tribe.
This partnership deepened the event’s meaning, shifting it from a reflection on gratitude to an active commitment to justice and reconciliation. The Squaxin Island Tribe’s participation brought a powerful perspective on resilience, generational trauma, and a profound spirit of gratitude.
Ultimately, this event represents a commitment to celebrating interfaith sharing and deepening our learning of regional Indigenous histories and cultures. The shift from passive acknowledgment to active engagement is a pathway to social justice. By resetting the sacred table, participants commit to listening, learning, and co-creating a more inclusive and truthful community narrative. Come and join us!
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Day of Remembrance
This is a commemorative observance developed in cooperation with the Thurston County Coroner, who is legally responsible as caretaker of the remains of unclaimed deceased persons. In some cases, the coroner is simply unable to identify any relatives; in other cases, family members are unable or unwilling to take responsibility.
Once a year, we hold our Day of Remembrance service to honor and acknowledge the passing of these people, although we do not know them. This event also honors those persons who died in Thurston County in the last year while experiencing homelessness and persons who died by suicide.
Our Day of Remembrance service is held on the Sunday of, or before, the All Souls' and All Saints' Days observed by many Western Christian traditions, as well as Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and beyond.
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Compassion Meditation Series
The Compassion Meditation practice was developed in response to the City of Olympia’s ceasefire statement in support of ending the violence in Palestine and Israel. While we continue to focus on compassion for the Middle East, we also recognize the many places in the world where there is hardship and adversity.
Compassion is a core human value around which we hold the struggles in the world. In this practice, we focus on receiving compassion for ourselves and extending compassion to all who suffer in the world —the oppressed and the oppressors, to all beings, and to our Mother Earth —as each participant is so moved, by sitting together in sacred silence.
This Compassion Meditation Series is currently offered to members of Interfaith Works-affiliated faith communities and organizations and is not yet open to the public. Please download and share our flyer with your community.
For additional info, or to RSVP, you can contact Interfaith Relations staff by emailing amy.cooper@interfaith-works.org.
