Community Engagement

The Interfaith Council of the Northshire

Ten religious congregations of all faiths in Manchester, Dorset, East Arlington, Pawlet and Rupert comprise the Interfaith Council (IFC) of the Northshire to address the needs of the SW region of Vermont. With mutual respect for the religious traditions of each congregation, these houses of worship band together to offer critically needed programs that include 

• Neighbor to Neighbor (assistance with driving, home visits, etc. for people elderly and those who are alone)
• Community Food Cupboard (staffed by IFC member congregations)
• Emergency Needs Fund (last funds to pay for emergency housing, car repairs, food or gas cards, electricity, living expenses, medical/dental costs, household fuel, telephone bills, home repairs and insurance)
• Auto Angels (repair of donated cars for people needing personal transportation)
• a storage locker (for donated household furnishings for those in need)
• Kids Summer Lunch Program (providing weekend meals for kids at risk of going hungry). 

IFC also hosts an annual Martin Luther King memorial service, a Thanksgiving supper and worship service, a biennial interfaith Passover Seder, and special events in response to community and worldwide happenings. Reverend David Fredrickson of Zion Episcopal Church is the President of the Interfaith Council for 2024/25 term.