Members of Madison Interfaith Council mark its third anniversary
MADISON – Madison Interfaith Council recently celebrated its third anniversary, marking three years of unity, compassion and impactful service in the greater Madison and Huntsville communities.
What began as a small gathering of just seven people in September 2022 has blossomed into a vibrant, active coalition of faith communities committed to working together to meet their neighbors’ needs — regardless of background, belief or circumstance, Charity Stratton, Council Executive Secretary, said.
Over the past three years, the council has organized diverse service projects that reflect both urgency of local needs and power of collective action. “Food insecurity, education, homelessness, incarceration and refugee support have all been touched by their hands and hearts,” Stratton said.
Among the council’s early initiatives were joint food drives benefiting the Huntsville Assistance Program and most recently for Food Bank of North Alabama.
In addition, Madison Interfaith Council launched an annual collection drive for hygiene supplies and snack items for incarcerated individuals at Limestone Correctional Facility. This outreach confirmed that even people behind bars aren’t forgotten at Christmas time.
Madison Interfaith Council includes Hiram Holt, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Rasaland Richardson, Restoration Church; Doug Tremblay, Most Merciful Jesus Catholic Parish; Executive Secretary Charity Stratton; James Maddox, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church; Ruhi Jahanpour, Baha’i faith; Doris Mitchell, All Nations Great House Ministry; and Eugene Folks, Grace Covenant Worship and Outreach.
In 2024, the council hosted its largest event to-date: the inaugural Youth Day of Service. More than 60 youth met and assembled snack packs for the unhoused, wrote notes of encouragement to homeless individuals and foster children, along with encouraging donations for the DHR Den. The event fostered both awareness and empathy among participants, while directly supporting some of the area’s most vulnerable.
The council also extended its outreach to the global community by collecting linens last year for Global Ties, an organization supporting refugee resettlement in North Alabama.
Recognizing the hidden costs faced by local teachers, the group collected sanitizing supplies for Madison City School educators, who often cover these expenses out-of-pocket. Additional education- focused drives have included backto- school supply donations for Free 2 Teach and a winter coat drive for in-need students.
The group’s compassion has extended to those facing cold nights without shelter. A blanket drive for the Downtown Rescue Mission offered warmth and comfort to many experiencing homelessness during winter months, replenishing the warming center’s supply, Stratton said.
Now entering its fourth year, Madison Interfaith Council continues its commitment to building bridges across faith traditions and making a tangible difference through shared service. The group hopes to expand its partnerships and deepen its impact, especially in youth engagement and interfaith education.
“The heart of our mission is simple,” Stratton said. “We come together, despite our differences, to serve. When we work together, we not only strengthen our community . . . we strengthen each other.”
The council encourages congregation members and clergy to contact the council by emailing charitystratton@bellsouth. net.
