Story by Michael Pappas, SFIC Executive Director, and The Rev. Low-Skinner
Photos by Michael Pappas and Rev. Debbie Low-Skinner 

[June 13, 2024 ] As the Psalmist proclaimed, “How good and pleasant it is for sisters and brothers to dwell together in unity!” After four years in Zoom exile, the San Francisco Interfaith Council (SFIC) returned to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church’s Heritage Hall to express gratitude and honor the 35th Anniversary S.F. Interfaith Winter Shelter host sites and meal provider partners. The hosts/sites/partners included: Episcopal Community Services, Canon Kip Center, St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, St. John’s Armenian Orthodox Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Knights of St. Francis, Presbyterian Church of Chinatown, Temple United Methodist Church, Congregation Sherif Israel, and the San Francisco Islamic School. 

Special thanks to Ground Floor Public Affairs for hosting the breakfast and to its founder and principal Alex Tourk for the inspiring presentation on his visionary passion project 2000opendoors.org to find innovative ways to house the homeless. 

Following the Recognition Reception, the SFIC Board met for its Annual Meeting, passed its 2024-2025 Budget, elected new Board Members and Officers, and expressed appreciation to those who completed their terms! 

Ground Floor Public Affairs founder Alex Tourk

SFIC Executive Director Michael Pappas

SFIC Board of Directors (front row/left holding certificates of appreciation are the Rev. Vanessa Southern, The Rev. Cn. Debra Low-Skinner, and Wilma Batiste; front row/far right are Michael Pappas and new SFIC Board Chair Fr. Mesrop Ash)

Retiring Chair: The Rev. Vanessa Southern of the First Unitarian Universalist Church 

Vice Chair: The Rev. Cn. Debra Low-Skinner, Episcopal Diocese of California 

Secretary: Wilma Batiste, Neighborhood Baptist Church 

Incoming Chair: Fr. Mesrop Ash, St. John’s Armenian Orthodox Church 

Vice Chair: Derick Brown, University of San Francisco 

Secretary: Col. Deborah Dacumos, St. Dominic’s Catholic Church 

Author: Ellie Simpson