Mayor praises multifaith circle’s service, caring

The ability of Winnipeg’s faith community to quickly mobilize to help wildfire evacuees this summer underscores the decision to create a multifaith and cultural circle, says Mayor Scott Gillingham.

“One of the reasons we were able to respond to the wildfires was because of the infrastructure faith and cultural groups already have in place,” Gillingham said, citing how he saw volunteers from Mennonite Disaster Service and the Sikh community helping at evacuation centres.

“They do this out of their sense of service and compassion. It was so great to see,” he said, adding they are able to quickly get the word out to members of their churches, gurdwaras, temples, synagogues and mosques.

“The importance of the circle has been affirmed for me,” said Gillingham. “It’s a place where faith and cultural groups can share about how they are making Winnipeg a stronger place.”

The mayor said he is satisfied with the progress of the venture almost three years after it was created.

The group, which is made up of 15 members selected by the mayor, meets up to four times a year to keep him informed about happenings in the faith and cultural communities and discuss the resources offered by the city’s faith and cultural groups.

While the circle hasn’t yet developed any hands-on projects, Gillingham said a main benefit is that members are able to meet and share ideas.

“Just being able to be together to hear what each other is doing, and to learn about challenges and opportunities, is a way to support each other,” he said, adding it’s also a chance for members to celebrate shared values of service and caring for people.

Addressing the homeless problem is among the topics discussed. One idea is to convert old places of worship into housing, while another involves using the buildings during times of crisis or disaster.

“The importance of the circle has been affirmed for me. It’s a place where faith and cultural groups can share about how they are making Winnipeg a stronger place.”– Mayor Scott Gillingham

That would include knowing which buildings have space to house people, as well as commercial kitchens and showers.

“Many places of worship are empty much of the week,” said Gillingham, noting they could be available on short notice if people suddenly need accommodations.

Another proposal being considered by the circle is a closer working relationship with the Manitoba Multifaith Council, an association of faith communities from throughout the province.

“There is a lot of alignment between the two groups,” said Gillingham, a member of Grace Community Church, where he was pastor from 2002 to 2014.

“There could be some fusion between them, not to duplicate efforts, but to find places where they have synergy.”

At the same time, Gillingham is aware many groups have smaller and aging congregations and the volunteer pool may be declining.

“So many programs that serve people in the city run on the backs of volunteers,” he said, noting this could be a topic of discussion for the circle.

The mayor said he is saddened by repercussions of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack against Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.

“I regret the deepening divide in the community over that,” Gillingham said. “The impact can be felt here in Winnipeg.”

“It takes strength to promote unity when so much in the world seeks to divide and polarize people.”– Mayor Scott Gillingham

His message to members of the Jewish and Muslim communities and their allies is that “we can’t allow any room for antisemitism or Islamophobia here… it’s unacceptable.”

Gillingham said he has told leaders in both communities he hopes they can do everything possible to bring people together.

“It takes strength to promote unity when so much in the world seeks to divide and polarize people,” he said, noting the about the conflict in a unifying manner.

“Winnipeg can’t become a battleground for the conflict in the Middle East,” he said, adding he wants the killing to stop, the remaining hostages to be set free, humanitarian aid to flow to Gaza unimpeded and for “there to be peace, there has to be peace.”

faith@freepress.mb.ca