Living Interfaith Church FAQ’s

So what’s an Interfaith Church?

We look at the universe and our world and say there is no one “right” spiritual answer; that all of our spiritual traditions call upon us to love and respect one another.  We celebrate our differing spiritual paths.

Why “Church”?

The roots of the word are significant.  Church comes from old English and old Germanic.  The word means “circle.”  A church is a circle, a community.  We come together as a circle.

Is Interfaith “no faith?”

To respect all faith traditions is not to ignore their importance or their differences.  As example, Christianity is different from Buddhism.  Islam is different from Humanism.  Hinduism is different from Judaism.  But in each what is the same is the call to compassion, the call to think beyond ourselves, to recognize that we are all connected.  Interfaith calls upon us not to ignore our differences, but to rather to respect them, and to realize that each of our paths, in their own special and different way, call us to love and to be loving.

Then what is Interfaith, as a faith?

Interfaith, as a faith, believes that we each encounter the sacred in our own way.  Our encounters with the sacred are important to us and deeply personal.  Interfaith embraces the teachings of all spiritual paths that lead us to seek a life of compassionate action.  Interfaith, as a faith, does not seek to discover which religion or spiritual path is “right.”  Rather, it recognizes that we are all brothers and sisters, and that a different times and different places we have encountered the sacred differently. 

Why “Living” Interfaith?

We believe it is essential to practice what we preach: to live our Interfaith call to compassionate  engagement with the world.

What do you believe?  What is expected of members?

Please see our “Covenant and Six Fundamental Assumptions” elsewhere on this webpage.  Here’s the link.

Who is the Minister?

Steven Greenebaum was raised within the Jewish tradition and practices his Jewish spiritual path within the framework of Interfaith.  He holds Masters degrees in Music and Mythology as well as Theology.  Steven is an ordained, Jewish, Reverend.  That’s Interfaith for you!

Where are your services?

Our services from September, 2010 through June 2011 will be at the Alderwood Middle School cafeteria.  The address is 20000 28^th Ave. West in Lynnwood. 

How do I get there?

Coming south on I-5 (Everett area) take exit 181.  That’s 196^th Street, Lynnwood.  You’ll want to be going east on 196^th.  You’ll pass under the freeway.  At Alderwood Mall Parkway (main intersection) turn right.  Very quickly you’ll turn left onto 28^th Avenue.  The entrance to the school will be about .2 of a mile on your right.  About 4 minutes from the freeway.

Coming north on I-5 (Shoreline/Seattle area) take exit 181B.  That’s Alderwood Mall Parkway.  Stay straight.  Turn right on 28^th Avenue.  The entrance to the school will be about .2 of a mile on your right.  About 3 minutes from the freeway.

Do you have services every week? 

Our services are on alternate Sundays at 11:00 AM in the cafeteria at the Alderwood Middle School.  For our schedule, check this link.  We have a pot-luck immediately after every service, and guests are cordially invited to participate. 

Is there accessible parking?

There is plenty of parking at the Middle School, very close to the cafeteria. 

Is there more to this than Sundays?

Yes!  We believe that being involved in our community is an important part of who we are.  We have already developed a close relationship with the Lynnwood Food Bank, and everyone is  encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to every service (unfortunately, the need for food is constant).  Over time, we hope to be even more involved in service to and with our community.

I live in Seattle or south of Seattle.  Is there a closer Interfaith Church?

Absolutely!  There’s Interfaith Community Church in Ballard!!  Here’s a link to their website.

Do you do weddings?

Steven strongly believes in the separation of church and state, and that weddings are a civil matter.  Living Interfaith does offer Interfaith wedding celebrations.

Tell me more!

For more information, try us out!  Come for a month, talk to members, and see what our services and our diverse and loving community are all about.