MultiFaith Council of NW Ohio

06/19/2026

The 9th Annual Woody Trautman Lecture is this Monday, June 22!

Join the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio at 6:00 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Toledo for Peace: Memory, Truth, and the Work of Community, featuring Joe Moran, author, Vietnam veteran, and former combat medic.

This meaningful evening will include a special performance of Dances of Universal Peace led by Judy Lee Trautman, a community dialogue on what it means to practice peace in our daily lives, relationships, and communities, and a light meal featuring dishes from Balance Pan-Asian Grille.

This event is free and open to the public, with a suggested $20 donation to help cover the cost of the meal.

Monday, June 22 | 6:00 p.m.
First Unitarian Church of Toledo
3205 Glendale Ave., Toledo, OH 43614

We hope you’ll join us for an evening of reflection, movement, dialogue, and community.

Make your donation today or become a sponsor: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-woody-trautman-lecture

06/19/2026

Today we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the resilience, achievements, and contributions of African Americans.

Observed annually on June 19, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

Juneteenth is both a celebration and a time for reflection. Across the country, people gather through festivals, music, education, community service, and cultural events to honor Black history, culture, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom and justice.

We'll be at Promenade Park today from 3pm - 5pm for the City celebration featuring food trucks, a resource fair and activities for the family. See you there!

06/18/2026

We’ll see you there, Toledo!

06/16/2026

Today marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year, also known as the Hijri New Year.

For Muslims around the world, this occasion commemorates the Hijrah—the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE—which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. This year, the Islamic New Year welcomes Hijri Year 1448.

While traditions vary across cultures and communities, the Islamic New Year is often observed as a time for reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal. As a new year begins, many take time to consider the lessons of the past and their hopes for the future.

Wishing all our Muslim neighbors in northwest Ohio a wonderful new year!

06/15/2026

We enjoyed celebrating Race Amity Day with the Baha’is of Lucas County at their annual Race Amity Day Festival at Secor Metropark on Sunday, June 14.

This beautiful community gathering brought people together in the spirit of amity, creativity, joy, and the oneness of our human family. We were grateful to join attendees of all ages for an afternoon of fellowship, food, art, music, and meaningful connection.

A special highlight of the day was the presentation of Mayor Kapszukiewicz's Proclamation, shared by Toledo City Council President Vanice Williams, officially designating June 14, 2026 as Race Amity Day in Toledo.

The celebration also featured renowned Toledo artist Alice Grace, who shared stories through her beautiful quilts and paintings; drummer Michael Hayes, who led participants in a lively “Heartbeats of Life” drumming circle; and Unity Art activities provided by Unbounded Artists Development Community.

Thank you to the Baha’is of Lucas County for hosting this joyful and hope-filled celebration, and for continuing to help build a more just, compassionate, and connected Toledo.

Photo credits: Behrooz Modarai

06/07/2026

Throughout our history, the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio has been guided by our values of collaboration, peace, and pluralism.

Today, more than ever, these values remain our lodestone, even and especially when these come under threat.

The MFC is deeply concerned about the reduction of recognized religions by the Department of Defense from over 200 to 31. We are communicating with members of affected faith communities, as well as professionals in the field of chaplaincy, to guide us as we stand for the pluralism that is fundamental to our organization.

Closer to home, and just this weekend, we were saddened to learn that the celebrations of the Old West End Festival were interrupted by gun violence. As faith organizations and multifaith organizations across this country commemorate Gun Violence Awareness Month, this incident is a tragic reminder that gun violence fundamentally threatens the peace that is at the core of our values.

As we work to promote peace and pluralism, we are reminded that collaboration is also central to our shared beliefs. We look both within our organization and into our community to collaborate with those who will stand for peace and pluralism. We will update all within our MFC community about actions that we can take together moving forward.

Yours in faith,
The MFCNWO

06/07/2026

Our hearts are with Toledo. ❤️

Today 30 members of the Trinity community were delighted to join in the parade to celebrate our community at the Old West End Fest.

This evening, we are saddened to learn that this joy has been interrupted by gun violence.

This must end.

Tomorrow we will be marking our annual Gun Violence Awareness Sunday. This is why we still wear orange. Gun violence is still too common in our communities.

We pray for all victims of gun violence and for an end to this madness.

06/04/2026

Blessings 0f Diversity June 1, theme Light, at The Farmhouse. Photo Credit Behrooz Modarai.

06/03/2026

The need for blood donations is especially critical during the summer months, and our community can make a real difference together. ❤️

Join the 37th Annual Interfaith Blood Drive on Saturday, June 27, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church.

For nearly four decades, people of diverse faiths and backgrounds have come together through this annual tradition of compassion and service to help meet the blood needs of our community over the July 4th holiday.

Blood donors, volunteers, and bakers are all needed to help make this event a success. If you are able, please consider giving the gift of life.

To schedule your appointment call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter code INTERFAITH

Important note: The last day to donate elsewhere and still be eligible to donate at the Interfaith Blood Drive is April 15.

For more information, contact Devorah Shulamit at 419-356-5280 or [email protected].