On Saturday, October 29, eight houses of worship in Orange, Connecticut will host “Tour De Faith,” a unique program that gives residents an opportunity to experience the town’s religious diversity and learn from clergy about different faiths. The October 29 program will feature “tours” of two houses of worship — Congregation Or Shalom (12 noon- p.m.) and St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church (1:15 – 2:15 p.m.). Plans are underway to visit additional houses of worship in the spring.

“Tour de Faith” is a program of Congregations of Orange Collaborative — a new collaboration of eight Houses of Worship in Orange that was launched in June 2021. It’s mission — “Together Helping Others” — is to create opportunities for congregations to work together on community service projects that improve the quality of life for all and to foster an appreciation for the town’s religious diversity. In the spirit of repairing the world, the group encourages participating congregations to engage in social action projects.

Since it was launched in 2021, Congregations of Orange Collaborative has hosted two successful social action projects: An Orange Food2Kids no touch pop-the-trunk food collection held in December 2021; and a campaign held this past winter to raise funds for the Orange Fuel Bank which resulted in a 50% increase in donations.

The eight participating houses of worship include:  Church of the Good Shepard, Congregation Or Shalom, Holy Infant Roman Catholic Church, Orange Congregational Church, ST Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, St Joseph of Arimathea ANC Church, Temple Emanuel, and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

All are invited, but registration is required. To register for Congregation Or Shalom, call (203)799-2341;to register for St. Barbara, call (203) 795-1347.

To learn more about the Congregations of Orange Collaborative and/or join the effort to make Orange a better community for all, contact nancykline@gmail.com.

Main Photo: Congregation Or Shalom