Our new logo is an inclusive circle, formed of many shapes and colors, symbolizing the Alliance's ideals of harmony and diversity.

POVERTY - Addressing problems of poverty in the Rochester area.

STATE / NATIONAL ISSUES - Elections, Fair Campaign Practices Project, and legislation, including First Amendment issues.

HEALTH CARE - Working with the Interfaith Healthcare Coalition on universal health insurance and related issues.

LEAD PAINT - Working with the Lead Paint Coalition, education about the problem and responses.

TIAR President Sally Chamberlin (C) and Rochester Voters Alliance organizer Paul Brayer (R) receive the Open Sesame Award from Metro-Justice for their work in voter registration this past year. The award was presented by Jon Greenbaum (L) at Metro-Justice's Annual Dinner on May 3, 2009.

The 2008 Annual Meeting of TIAR was held Sunday, June 8, at the Shults Center at Nazareth College. Officers were elected and outgoing President, Gratia L'Esperance received a well-earned gift from the members seen being presented by incoming President, Sally Chamberlin. The main speaker was Rev. Paul Womack, a past-President of TIAR and soon to serve the Methodist Church at Chautauqua. He inspired us all with his description of his experiences as a Chaplain with the US Army in Iraq and the challenges he faced. Paul was accompanied by his assistant, Neil Hertzler, who is currently stationed with his reserve unit here in Rochester. Paul's devotion to service and his love for those serving the country was evident to all, as was his concern for the policies that got us there in the first place. It was the perfect inspiration for the coming year's work of TIAR.

April 5, 2008: TIAR members at the observance in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. (photo, left), led by the Rev. Roy Hedman, right front) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in support of the Rochester CLUE boycott: (front) Gil Strother, Peter Peters; (rear) Gratia L'Esperance (obscured behind Peter), Linda and David White.

Mission of The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester

We are committed to an inclusive democratic process based upon the mutual responsibility of public officials, public institutions, and the general public. It requires honest and civility through open discussion of issues and full participation open to all citizens.

We work towards a public good that offers dignity and wholeness to all people. This includes a quality public education, a sustainable environment, a living wage, comprehensive health care, adequate housing, and a voice for people of faith in the political arena that respects the First Amendment.

As a growing and diverse interfaith community, we bring a constructive and healing witness to public and political life in the Greater Rochester community. The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester is one of many local alliances in a national coalition of people of faith.

The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester

• We believe that people running for or serving in public office should express their views in a way that encourages civil discussion of issues.
• We educate our members about public policy issues. We strive to promote the Golden Rule as the core value to bring about economic justice.
• We provide an enlightened faith-based voice in an evolving community that understands the relevance and value of religious diversity.
• We strive to encourage all people to "do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God." Micah 6:8
• We believe that democracy works best when politics becomes the work of the people, when informed participation and respectful listening are allowed to contribute to the resolution of social problems, and when the "common will" seeks liberty and justice for all.

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