Way back in 1998 our new group met for the first time. I remember counting thirty-five in number. Most of us knew each other from Unity of Ann Arbor. I remember thinking: “does this have to be so much like a church?” But I kept coming back, as many of us did and we managed to stick together, and some of us still are together. Turned out, this “church” was much different. Larry and Alex and I had come from a new thought
metaphysical church community in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was great, but this was better: Interfaith community in a real sense. I remembered the idea from a group in college, but this was better, and I felt like
getting involved, so I did, and I’m still here!
 
Dave went to the New Seminary in New York City for ordination as an Interfaith Minister and subsequently came back into the group with inspiration for others to explore Spiritual and Ministerial training from the Interfaith perspective. Based on the model at the New Seminary Dave developed a 2-year Spiritual Practitioner program here. The classes were open to anyone, but to become a Spiritual Practitioner the entire course was required, 3 of our members completed the program. Several others from our community, including me, were inspired to enroll in One Spirit and All Faiths Seminaries in New York, and become ordained Interfaith Ministers. Others were ordained through the Fellowship for Today in East Lansing. Spiritual Growth is what
Interfaith is all about and Dave has served as a great catalyst for us all.
         
I am thankful and amazed for the courage and tenacity of Dave and Judy Bell. I can only imagine what it was like to start a group of such diversity and hope and expect it could last. But last it has, 27 years now. Looking
back, who knows where I would be without their leadership and love. I know it was not always easy. And all of us have struggled at times with leadership decisions that needed to be made. I have had the chance to learn so much that my work as a massage therapist never would have taught me. I am a better speaker and writer, spiritually I am stronger than I could have imagined. I have more resilience than I ever thought I would need, and I need it all.
        
I have learned to find peace in times I never would have thought possible.  I have made amazing friends for life, as I know many of us have. One of my favorite spiritual teachings is the understanding that we attract into our lives the things that we most need to learn. May we continue learning and creating our community with grace,
compassion, and especially the love of Spirit. And may we always remember how the Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth came to be through the vision, dedication and persistence of our founders, Dave and Judy Bell.

Blessings to everyone on this journey of our lives.
Love,  Annie