The Tri-City Interfaith Council (TCIC) is a grass-roots organization made up of 
people of diverse religious beliefs from Fremont, Newark, and Union City. The
council’s mission is to promote respect, understanding, cooperation, and
appreciation for the many faith traditions and spiritual paths within our community.
St. James’ has long been a member, participating in the various activities sponsored
and co-sponsored by the council. Rev. Anna is the current representative of St.
James’.
The major events sponsored each year are: World Interfaith Harmony Day on the
first Sunday in February; the Yom Ha-Shoah Holocaust Remembrance Service in
April; the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on the Monday before Thanksgiving; and
the monthly rallies held at Paseo Padre and Walnut in Fremont on the fourth
Thursday of the month with themes keyed to various issues of local, state, and
national interest. An Interfaith Choir organized by the council provides music at the
Holocaust Remembrance and Thanksgiving services. The TCIC also co-sponsors
events with Compassionate Fremont, such as the Compassion Games in September,
and the recently formed Bay Area Stands United Against Hate. The council co-
sponsored Bay Area Stands United Against Hate Week on November 11 -19, which,
among other events, included the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and our own
Candlelight Vigil for Homelessness and Hunger co-sponsored with Abode Services.
In response to the rising tide of hate speech and hate crimes in the US, the TCIC
has held two local Bystander Intervention Training events in 2018 with the local
branch of the Council for American-Islamic Relations. These trainings aim to equip
bystanders witnessing harassment to act effectively and safely to support the
target. The last training, which took place during United Against Hate Week, was
very well attended, and included some St. James’ parishioners. More events will be
scheduled in 2019. As part of a large ad-hoc network of like-minded organizations,
the council also publicizes other Bay Area events with the same goal of standing in
solidarity with targets of hate due to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identification,
or sexual orientation. The call to love another is a universal doctrine of all faiths and
spiritual paths.
The TCIC is involved in a full slate of events each year to further the cause of
interfaith understanding and cooperation, all of which are announced at St. James’.
Anyone who has a passion for this cause is welcome to join the council;
membership is not limited to clergy or representatives of faith communities.
Contact Rev. Anna for more information.
~Rev. Anna