Promoting Religious, Racial and Cultural Harmony....

In supporting Interfaith Mission Service, individuals and congregations do not sacrifice or compromise beliefs they hold, but express an abiding respect for other faiths, honoring one another's understanding of God, by whatever name God is called. Together we can ensure that there is room in our community for all and that each of us has "a place around the table."

With a small paid staff, an extensive volunteer corps, and an active and involved Board of Directors, IMS is dedicated to serving our community through a wide variety of programs and projects.

Showing Southern Hospitality: Guidelines for Respecting Religious Diversity In Our Community
IMS publishes this 24-page booklet to help individuals, schools, and businesses respect the religious observances, dietary, and clothing restrictions, etc. of different faiths.

Huntsville Interfaith Dialogue Group
Co-sponsored by IMS and the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), Interfaith Dialogue is a loosley structured group of individuals who look at a variety of topics from the perspectives of the world's religions.

"Dialogue on the Road": A series of educational presentations and workshops for various groups offered locally and nationally to promote greater understanding and respect for our religious and cultrural diversity.

National Conference for Community and Justice
Sharing a dedication to fight prejudice and foster improved human relations, IMS and NCCJ partner to provide One Huntsville, Interfaith Dialogue, Interfaith Celebration, and Interfaith Youth Rallies.

Return to top

Responding to Human Needs....

Many ministries initiated by IMS or through its support are now independent agencies. Together they make up much of the social services infrastructure of Huntsville and Madison County. Some of these ministries and when each was begun:
Huntsville Interfaith Volunteer Transportation System (HIBTS), 1969
Food Pantry System, 1970
HELPLine, 1971
Family Services Center, 1974
Care Assurance System for the Aging and Hombound (CASA), 1981
Food Bank of North Alabama, 1984
Living in Family Transition Housing (LIFT), 1985
Police Chaplaincy Program, 1991
Huntsville Interfaith Dialogue Group, 1996
DIAL Kindergarten Screening, 1998
Huntsville Assistance Program

Current projects include:

FOODLine: A telephone screening and referral system in which individuals in need of assistance receive food at one of the 20 pantries operated by congraegations throught Madison County. The FSSDLine/Food Pantry System served over 11,000 individuals in 2002.

FIRST STOP: Day center established in 2001 to serve street homeless population. First Stop provides showers, laundry facilities, locker space for belongings, as well as case management services to assist homeless persons in moving into permanent housing.

Other projects include:
HOLA (Hispanic Outreach/Latinos Adelante)
Religion and Disability Council

We are always seeking volunteers to assist with our projects. Tasks include answering the phone, sorting and picking up of supplies and assisting with homeless client needs.

Return to top

Facilitating Communication within the Community....

Special programs at IMS meetings and other functions are designed to encourage interfaith, inter-racial, and cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. Recent programs have addressed such topics as:

• Unconditional Love - A Virtue?
• Community Orientation for Religious Leaders
• Taboos and Sacred Cows
• Truth and Consequences: Multiple Religious Perspectives
• Challenge of Religious Diversity in Public Education
• Healing and Wholeness: Religious Commitment to Well Being