About Us
Our History.
The Belmont Religious Council was founded in April, 1954 as an organization of the various faith communities that serve Belmont. Its purpose is "to enhance the spirit of unity through fellowship, to develop understanding and appreciation for the various religious faiths represented and to exert a positive influence in the social and moral life of the Belmont community."
By promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation, the Council can also help enable Belmont's faith communities to pursue important goals generally not attainable by a single congregation.
Members
The Belmont Religious Council (BRC) is the interfaith council for the town of Belmont, Massachusetts. Membership is open to any faith community located in Belmont.
The current list of participating faith communities includes:
Belmont Muslim Friends
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Belmont 1 and Belmont 2 Wards
New Roads Catholic Coummunity (St. Luke Parish and St. Joseph Parish, Roman Catholic)
Each congregation appoints two representatives to the Belmont Religious Council. The representatives can either be lay leaders or members of the clergy.
Executive Committee
The BRC is governed by delegates from each member organization, and an executive committee, chosen by the delegates at the BRC's annual meeting. The executive committee meets regularly to plan BRC activities and events.
President
Rev. Eric Wefald, Payson Park Church
Vice President
Portia Thompson, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Treasurer
Ariane Frank, The First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist
Secretary
Janet Sand, Beth El Temple
Past Presidents
Jennifer Hoyda, Baha'i Faith Community
Rev. Joe Zarro, Plymouth Congregational Church
Doug John, Latter Day Saints
Rabbi Jonathan Kraus, Beth El Temple Center