New directory connects Valley’s religious groups

The distance—both spiritual and geographic—between most religious faiths in the Valley "has just been greatly reduced by a new resource directory from the Valley Interfaith Council (VIC)," according to Rev. Ron Degges, pastor at the 500-member Little White Chapel in Burbank.

"Many congregations and spiritual leaders feel a sense of isolation. This resource will help consolidate people of good will in our communities, and spread the word about the range of services we provide," he said.

Armed with a grant from The Gas Company, VIC’s executive director Barry Smedberg explained that his council set out to publish a resource book that would promote the human need for spiritual nourishment and reveal the nitty-gritty basic outreach being done by a variety of congregations that don’t get any press.

The new directory lists most of the Valley’s religious organizations by denomination and includes addresses, phone numbers, worship schedules and names of their leaders.

Also listed is a full range of social services provided by these congregations, such as multi-purpose resource centers, adult day-care and child-care centers, food pantries to meet emergency needs, and many others.

The directory is also being used as a networking tool to get involved with all religious faiths in dialogues and conventions such as the one scheduled for Fri through Sun., Aug. 22 through 24 at Hsi Lai University in Rosemead.

The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions is hosting the convention, "Nurturing Interfaith Opportunities from Southern California to the World" to stimulate dialogue and increase understanding between faiths.

Rabbi Don Gore, the head of Temple Judea at campuses in Tarzana and West Hills, said he viewed the new resource directory as an important "statement of community" in a region that in many ways has failed to define itself. "It’s a physical reminder of what we have accomplished and what we offer as a community," he said.

"We in the faith community are not self-promoters," said VIC’s Smedberg. "This directory gives us a chance to make religion relevant, and to show what religious groups are doing to help our communities."

Organizations listed in the directory have received a complimentary copy. Additional copies are available for $15 from the Valley Interfaith Council while supplies last. Call Eileen Killoren of VIC at (818) 718-6460, ext. 3002 for more information.