This fall, LA County Library offers a series of virtual roundtable conversations exploring the intersections between community service in libraries and in faith organizations. These interfaith dialogues will bring together religious leaders from a diversity of traditions to discuss the ways in which libraries and faith-based organizations can work side by side to encourage soulful wellbeing in our communities. The purpose of these conversations is to encourage a broader understanding of the types of organizations that provide care and service to our communities, an understanding that promotes opportunities for partnership and connection between libraries and faith organizations.
The final event in this series is titled “Community in Shared Space,” and unpacks the significance of library’s and faith organization’s physical spaces, the role of those spaces in community service, and the ways organizations adapt when physical space is not available. Joining the conversation this week are Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Najeeba Syeed, and Dr. Andrea Humphrey.
The Right Reverend Alexei Smith is the Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Officer for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles previously served as president of the Interreligious Council of Southern California. Najeeba Syeed is the inaugural El-Hibri endowed chair and executive director of Interfaith at Augsburg at Augsburg University and has been a professor in the fields of conflict resolution and interfaith studies. Dr. Andrea Humphrey is a public speaker, author, and Lead Pastor of H.O.P.E.’s House International Ministries and the President and CEO of Hope Community Development Center in Granada Hills.
