Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable presents 2013 service awards at January 31 prayer breakfast

Feb. 3, 2013 - PRLog -- Interfaith Month is the highlight of the Roundtable’s year, and an important component of meeting its goal of fostering understanding and cooperation among faiths. “This is a wonderful opportunity to view area faiths from their perspective, as opposed to misinformation or rumor,” says Roundtable Board Chair Alan Bachman.

The morning opened with a prayer offered by J.B. Singh of the Utah Sikh Temple, in Punjab and English, followed by the presentation of the Roundtable’s 2013 Interfaith Awards:

Media Awards for excellent coverage of our diverse community
• Joseph Walker, Deseret News faith and religion reporter
• Colleen M. Scott, Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable Media & Education Chair

Awards for excellent service to the Roundtable
• Wendy and Michael Stovall, editors of “The Roundtable” newsletter, for their dedication to promoting harmony, understanding, and inclusion through the written word
• Judy Wight, Interfaith Musical Tribute Chair, for her dedication to promoting harmony, understanding, and inclusion through the diverse world of music

The breakfast speaker was nationally recognized anti-bullying advocate Dr. David Parker, professor of teacher education and associate director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring Institute at the University of Utah.

He related his personal experiences with bullying while growing up in New York City, and credits his mother with teaching him to find the positive, rather than negative, in trying circumstances. He asked everyone to look at each other as human beings who deserve respect and friendship.

Dr. Parker also announced the closure of the National Center for Community of Caring, effective June 30, 2013. He said that he enjoys living in Utah, and wants very much to find a position that will allow him to continue his mission to eradicate bullying.

The Roundtable thanks the staff of the Marriott Salt Lake Downtown at City Creek for their excellent service and food provided at this and previous Interfaith Month breakfasts and luncheons over the years.

Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable
The Roundtable is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization consisting of over 220 individuals working to promote love, harmony, and an increased understanding among persons of all faith traditions, cultures, and belief systems everywhere.

For donations or information about the Roundtable, Interfaith Month, and the Musical Tribute, please visit www.interfaithroundtable.org.