About Us

Our Mission:
The Troy-area Interfaith Group exists to invite all faith communities to gather, grow and give for the sake of promoting the common values of love, peace and justice among all religions locally and globally.  We believe that peace among peoples and nations requires peace among the religions.

Our History:

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 National Day of Prayer 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 National Day of Prayer 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 National Day of Prayer Task Force) approaches National Day of Prayer Task Force Coordinator to participate in 2005 NDP Celebration
2005 March	National Day of Prayer Task Force Coordinator requests City to proclaim "National Day of Prayer-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 National Day of Prayer 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 National Day of Prayer Website states that they are conducting the 11th Annual National Day of Prayer Observance in Troy. National Day of Prayer 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 National Day of Prayer 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 National Day of Prayer 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 National Day of Prayer 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 National Day of Prayer Celebration planned for May 1, 2008 at Congregation Shir Tikvah, 7 pm. Community Interfaith Labyrinth groundbreaking at Northminster Presbyterian Church in April leads to construction and dedication on June 1, 2008 TIG participates in June Habitat for Humanity Pontiac Blitz Build TIG International Day of Peace Celebration at Central Woodward Christian Church on Sept. 21. TIG Thanksgiving Celebration at IAGD on Nov. 23.
2009	TIG is a silver sponsor of City of Troy and Troy School District MLK Event in January. TIG National Day of Prayer Celebration on Thursday, May 7, at 7 pm. TIG to participate in Habitat for Humanity Pontiac Blitz Build TIG International. Day of Peace Celebration on Sunday Sept. 20 – a Peace Picnic at Community Interfaith Labyrinth TIG Thanksgiving Celebration on Sunday Nov. 22, 2009 at 7 pm.
2010	TIG is silver sponsor of City of Troy and Troy School Districk MLK event, Jan. TIG National Day of Prayer Celebration, May 6 at First Presbyterian Church of Troy TIG providing a meal at Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build, June TIG International Day of Prayer, Sept. 19, Islamic Association of Greater Detroit (IAGD) TIG Thanksgiving Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 21, Bharitiya Temple
2011	TIG is silver sponsor of City of Troy and Troy Schools MLK event, Jan TIG National Day of Prayer, May 5 at Troy First Methodist TIG provides meal at Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build, June TIG International Day of Prayer event not held this year, as our members instead attend the 9/11 10th-year commemoration at St. Anastasia Catholic Church. Clergy from most faith traditions in Troy participated. TIG Thanksgiving Event, Nov. 20 at the Troy Community Center