Release all judgments and inhibitions, and open your heart during St. Petersburg’s 2^nd Annual Interfaith Week. From Sept. 13-20, visitors are encouraged to explore and visit the city’s churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, meditation centers and spiritual communities, whose doors are open to the public to share knowledge about their values, beliefs, practices, and cultures.

Hosted by Integral Church, events are free and open to the public to share and commemorate different viewpoints. Music, film, performances, workshops, and group discussions make up the course of this week-long, family-friendly celebration. Discussion topics include the future of religion in our modern world, racial equality, dialogue and listening, spiritual growth, development of faith, meditation and yoga practice, community service, and much more. The goal of Interfaith Week is to promote conversation, compassion, tolerance, and peace to further strengthen this dynamic, beautiful city’s community bonds.

For more information on St. Pete Interfaith Week, visit: integralchurch.wordpress.com/events/interfaith-week-2015/.

Get daily updates and RSVP to events on Interfaith Week Facebook page.

Schedule of Events:

Tues., Sept. 15
– Bahá’í Center of St. Petersburg (Bahá’í) Spiritual Conversations: 7:30 p.m. (Bahá’í concepts like Divine unity, progressive revelation, history of the Faith, equality and more.)

Wed., Sept. 16
– Featured Event: “America, Religion and Citizenship” (Panel Discussion and Luncheon) with Rev. Libby Shannon, Rev. Russell Meyer, Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, Dr. Frank Tedesco, Imam Abdul Q. Aziz, Sepideh Eskandari. Moderated by Rev. Doug McMahon and Imam Abdul Karim Ali. What does it mean to be a good citizen in a religiously diverse city and country? And how might religion play a part in our future? noon-2 p.m. Limited seating. Eckerd College: President’s Dining Room. 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. RSVP: goo.gl/forms/VHB73Vl4vP.
– "Faith Lessons from the World's Truth and Wisdom Traditions" (Discussion) with Rev. Jack Donovan. Texts: Unitarians and Universalists in America (John Buehrens); Anthology of World Scriptures (R.E. Van Voorst); The Meaning of Human Existence (E.O. Wilson). 10 a.m & 7 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg. Limited capacity. RSVP by calling (727) 898-7294 or (352) 327-6166.
– First Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science/Christian) Testimony Service. Noon & 7:30 p.m.
– First Unity at Unity Campus (New Thought/Christian) Meditation and Healing. Service: 6-7 p.m.
– Trinity UCC Campus (Christian) Resident artist Morgan Wright offers art classes to community children each Wednesday. A fun and supervised event for all! Kids Art Nite 6-8 p.m.

Thurs., Sept. 17
-Featured Event: “Racial Unity and Equality” (Panel Discussion) with Bishop Preston Leonard, Dr. Kerry McCord, Martha Williams, more TBD. Moderated by Lauren Haddad Friedman (USF). Various interfaith leaders will discuss one of the most challenging issues facing America – racial equality – and the various religious teachings about unity through diversity. 7-8:30 p.m. Baha’i Center.
-Shambhala St. Pete (Buddhist) How do we bridge the two separate paths of Recovery and Buddhism? The spiritual principles of Twelve Step programs transcend any one religion or belief structure. The Shambhala teachings help us to understand our own basic goodness, so that we can face the world free from addiction and negative habits. Anonymous and confidential. Interfaith Recovery Night with Eric Rainbeau. 6-8 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 18
– Featured Event: Soul Fire: Yoga and Meditation (Workshop) with Katherine Taylor Robinson and Sarah Trinler. Detox, release, align and thrive! Tap into your inner Truth and Wisdom with chakra toning, breathing exercises, mudras, mantras, visualization, meditation and yoga. 6-8 p.m. Inner State Yoga, 780 Fourth Ave. S., St. Petersburg.
– Temple Beth-El (Jewish) Shabbat Shuvah & Tashlich Service on the Beach. Elva Rouse Park on North Shore Dr. between 10^th and 13^th Ave. NE. Parking and restrooms available. 5:30 p.m. picnic in the park before services at 6:30 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 19
– Featured Event: Globalized Soul (Film screening) plus discussion with producer Cynthia Lukas Interfaith Kirtan with Rev. Dr. Lori Cardona and R ev. Dr. Grace Telesco. Sacred Journey Interfaith Seminary, Unity Campus. 5-8 p.m.
– Integral Church (Interfaith/Interspiritual)  “Beyond the Page” Book Club discussion: The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety by Alan Watts. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Community Cafe, 2444 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
– Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace (Catholic) Vigil Mass. 4 p.m.
– Taoist Tai Chi Society / Fung Loy Kok Institute for Taoism (Taoist/Buddhist/Confucian). Taoist chanting every Saturday morning. 8:30-9:30 a.m. 1811 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg.
– Temple Beth-El (Jewish) Shabbat Morning Service. 10 a.m.
– “New Beginnings Community Worship” (Christian/Recovery) sponsored by First Presbyterian Church, Beacon House. Service 5:30 p.m. A light meal is served after worship. 2151 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Sun., Sept. 20
– Featured Event: Why God and Allah Need to Talk (Film Screening) plus keynote presentation with Ruth Broyde Sharone.
– Interfaith Week Closing Ceremony with Ruth Broyde Sharone, Joran Oppelt, Jan Magray, Vandana Dillon and more. Unity Campus. 3-5 p.m.
– Bahá’í Center of St. Petersburg (Bahá’í) Devotions and discussion. 10:30 a.m.
-First Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science/Christian) Service 10:30 a.m.
– First Unity at Unity Campus (New Thought/Christian) Services at 9:30 a.m and 11:30 a.m.
– Integral Church (Interfaith/Interspiritual)  Featuring music by Rev. Dr. Lori Cardona and Rev. Dr. Grace Telesco and meditation by Vandana Dillon. – Outdoor, interfaith service: 10 a.m. Crisp Park, 37th Ave. NE. & Poplar St. NE, St. Petersburg.
– Shambhala St. Pete (Buddhist) Sunday Community Practice: 9 a.m-noon. Sadhana (Advanced) Practice: 9-10:30 a.m.
– Saint Augustine Episcopal (Christian) A Spirit-filled multi-cultural Liturgical Christian worship service with jazz musicians, followed by a full breakfast and roundtable conversations. Service: 9 a.m.
– Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace (Catholic) Regular Mass: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
– Trinity UCC Campus (Christian) Lao Ministry of St. Petersburg: 10 a.m-noon (Laotian). Anointed Word Fellowship: 10-11:30 a.m. Trinity United Church of Christ (Contemporary): 10:30-11:45 a.m. Iglesia Pentecostal Cielos Abiertos: 1-4 p.m. (Spanish).
– Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg (Unitarian/Universalist) Discussion Group: 10 a.m. Service: 10:30 a.m.