by Sergio Carlos Moreno-Denton

At the 32nd Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner—sponsored by the Heartland Alliance of Divine Love, the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, and William Jewell College—Lama Chuck Stanford was honored with the Vern Barnett Interfaith Service Award for his more than 20 years of service as the Spiritual and Executive Director of the Rime Center and his longstanding commitment to interfaith work.

Members of our Rime sangha, including Spiritual Director Lama Matt who offered one of the prayers, were in attendance and joined with a large and diverse crowd to celebrate religious diversity and inclusion in Kansas City, to honor Lama Chuck’s many contributions, and to share a bountiful meal (complete with vegetarian and kosher options).

The Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council strives to put faith in action by developing deeper understanding, knowledge, respect, and appreciation for each other’s faiths and religious traditions. The Rime Center is proud to celebrate Lama Chuck both as the founder and director emeritus of the Rime Center and a jewel in the Kansas City interfaith community.