Faith Leaders Share Messages of Peace and Civility
October 22, 2024Philadelphia, PA – [January 29, 2025] – Interfaith Philadelphia has appointed Reverend Joyce Shin as its new board chair. Rev. Shin brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering interfaith understanding and collaboration. She succeeds Imam Quaiser D. Abdullah, Ph.D. who served as chair since 2021.
“Joyce Shin steps into leadership at a pivotal moment in the life of our organization,” said Abby Stamelman Hocky, Executive Director of Interfaith Philadelphia. “With a foundation of 20 years of programming and community partnerships to foster a thriving religiously diverse region, Joyce’s passion for faith and interfaith work will help to chart a path forward that is relevant and compelling in these times.”
“It has always been a privilege to serve alongside others who, out of their own religious convictions, promote mutual understanding and cooperation across differences,” said Rev Shin. The mission of Interfaith Philadelphia is essential to the health of society, and I look forward to working alongside so many others who believe in this mission.”
Rev. Shin has dedicated her career to the religious and interfaith community. She currently serves as Pastor and Head of Staff at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church in Swarthmore, PA.
Her career includes service as a Presbyterian campus minister at Yale University, teaching ministry students, and a decade as Associate Pastor for Congregational Life at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. Her research has included “Faith in an Age of Cultural Pluralism.”
Reverend Shin cares deeply about building interfaith connections; she has been recognized with the Prophetic Woman of Faith Award by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She has also served as a Trustee of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, and currently serves as a Trustee of McCormick Theological Seminary and as President of Partners in Ministry at Swarthmore College.
Rev. Shin earned her B.A. in Religious Studies and Classical Languages from Rhodes College and studied Ethics at Tübingen University in Germany as a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar. She holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and a Ph.D. in Theological Ethics from The University of Chicago.
About Interfaith Philadelphia
Since 2004, Interfaith Philadelphia has served the Philadelphia region, building relationships and bridges with and among diverse communities. Through immersive programs like our Mosaic youth summer program, trainings and workshops such as Navigating Difficult Conversations, or our facilitation of critical tables including the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia, we continue to challenge Philadelphians to Dare to understand® one another. This is vital work. In times often characterized by division, misunderstanding, hatred, and violence, Interfaith Philadelphia sets a large table, inviting all to listen respectfully and share authentically. We are proud to do this work in the birthplace of religious freedom and to have over 500 religious, civic, and corporate partners who believe in this vision.
For more information go to www.interfaithphiadelphia.org or contact Mary-Anne Smith [email protected]
