Group puts on multicultural holiday event, accepts applications for cultural understanding program
The German and Native American cultures, the holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa and the faiths of Buddhism and Islam will be among focuses of a free public celebration being held Wednesday.
The event seeks to bring about a celebration of their differences by "people who may look different on the outside, but are similar on the inside," says Topeka City Councilwoman Karen Hiller, convenor for Topeka United: A Movement.
Topeka United was created in 2019 to work to bring full inclusion to this community.
Its third and final public event this year, "Peace: A Multicultural Evening," will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, 600 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Lisa Davis, of Topeka United, organized the program for Wednesday's celebration, which will include words, music and dance from various cultures.
"It's never too late to educate yourself beyond your own personal experiences or make an effort to understand and learn about the customs and holidays from the cultures that make up our wonderful community!" Topeka United said on its Facebook page.
Wednesday's program will include appearances by Topekans Rebecca Otte, Allena Ross, Pastor Tobias Schlingensiepen, Joseph Wakefield, Rabbi Sam Stern, Imam Omar Hazim, Joan Wilson and the Standing Bear Intertribal Brotherhood.
Social distancing will be practiced. For more information, go to the website or Facebook site of Topeka United.
First Mosaic Partner Pairs class ending
Meanwhile, Topeka United is completing its first Mosaic Partner Pairs class, which began in April, and has opened applications for its second class being put on next year. To apply, go to Topeka United's website.
Mosaic Partner Pairs connects people from different races, cultures and walks of life for discussions about sensitive topics aimed at creating unity and understanding.
This year's program had 98 participants, who took part in a nine-month program that included one-on-one conversations and structured small group sessions focusing on sensitive topics and aimed at creating unity and understanding.
“Based on the feedback we have received, we believe these relationships will ultimately break down barriers and enrich the culture of our city and beyond," Hiller said.
Applicants, when selected, should expect to commit an average of two hours per week from April 9 through Dec. 14, 2022.
Contributions from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Kansas Gas Service, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Topeka Community Foundation and U.S. Bank Foundation help finance Mosaic Partner Pairs, Hiller said.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Multicultural holiday celebration to be held Wednesday in Topeka
