Community for Interfaith Celebration (CIC) is an interfaith congregation that values community, tolerance, and openness. We are coming from and turning to a variety of religious traditions, including: Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Sufi, Quaker, Earth-centered, Unitarian, Agnostic. We began in 1973 as a Christian congregation, the Community for Christian Celebration, and officially became an interfa
ith congregation in 1993. Our group is affiliated, regionally and nationally, with the United Church of Christ, a Protestant denomination with a strong commitment to social justice. For more of our history, go to our "History" page on the website. We are also an "open and affirming" congregation, which means that we intend to welcome and accept all people, regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, intellectual or developmental level, or physical ability. We meet 5 to 6:30 pm in the Social Hall of the United Churches of Olympia. We don't meet in July and August. Our celebrations include music, singing our call, passing the begging bowl, children's story time, poetry, teachings, candle lighting followed by a Buddhist blessing, a dance of universal peace and our benediction. Children's services are offered. What can I expect? We sit in a circle on chairs with a rug, cushions and altar in the center. We dress comfortably and casually. Corey Passons (CIC Minister), leads two Sundays a month and people within the community lead the other two. When you walk into the building, we have a greeter that will welcome you and hand you a brochure with more info about us. What is the Community for Interfaith Celebration (CIC)? CIC is an interfaith congregation that values community, tolerance, and openness. We are open and affirming We are affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC), a Protestant denomination that has a strong commitment to social justice. Click here to learn more about who we are. Will I have to contribute financially? We never require people to contribute financially. We pass a "begging bowl" at the beginning of the celebration and people can choose whether or not to contribute. Our pledge season runs October to December every year. During this time we ask people to say how much they will contribute to CIC the following calendar year. Pledging is voluntary and confidential. We then build our budget based on pledges received. Is there a children's program? We have three classrooms staffed by qualified teachers. They are grouped by grade level: preschool, grade school, and middle/high school. The children usually go back to their classrooms around 5:30 pm till 6:30 pm each week. While in their classrooms, they eat snack, play or do an age appropriate activity, and light candles (or battery operated candles for the preschoolers). Are there classes for adults? We have groups that meet weekly/monthly, usually in people's homes, to explore our spiritual paths more deeply. These groups include meditation, women's circle, chanting, drumming, Dances of Universal Peace, dining out, social justice and end of life issues. See calendar for more information.
