Religion in Davis County is alive and well with hundreds of Christian congregations. Broad categories, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives, include Protestants, Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox. The largest Christian religion in the county is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comprising 83% of the population. Jamie and Annette Dester are among a growing number of county residents who work to build bridges among the numerous Christian congregations by making connections to improve community outreach and service. The Desters personally attend church services each month at various denominations, including the Flourishing Grace Church and the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church. They and others with whom they work in the community seek to foster understanding, communication and collaboration among the various local congregations and share information about service opportunities and resources that can bring like-minded people together for Christ-centered purposes.  “We find there are people of goodwill in every faith and congregation,” said Dester. “There is so much good we can do when we join forces and work together.”

One highly successful collaboration is the free monthly community dinners held at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, located on Main Street in Centerville. Located right on a major bus route, the dinners provide food and connection every third Wednesday to well over a hundred people regardless of religious preferences. While sponsored and organized by the Episcopal Church, the dinners are frequently staffed by volunteers from other local churches, including Saint Olaf Catholic Church in Bountiful and various stakes and wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Another collaborative success is the Davis Interfaith Choir and Symphony organized by Mary Ann and Randy Pulham. With a talented cast and extraordinary conductor, Jane Fjeldsted, Director of Music at Westminster University, the choir has expanded its Easter program, “The Lamb of God,” to two nights performed at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square. This sacred musical portrayal of the last days of Jesus’ life, written by Rob Gardner, is an inspiring way to celebrate the Easter season. The 10 rehearsals preparing for the concert are held at large community churches throughout Davis County. Although the chorus has room for hundreds of singers, the parts usually fill up as soon as the registration link hits, especially the women’s parts. Mary Ann, however, tries to make room, especially for first-time participants, from all faiths in the county. The “Lamb of God” portrayal is free with performances on March 21 and 22 at 7:30 at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. 

Four churches in Bountiful also collaborate on a Christmas Concert every year and take turns hosting it. This past December, the concert was held at Saint Olaf Catholic Church, and the year before it was held at the Bountiful Community Church. The concert is also hosted at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and the Bountiful Tabernacle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These same four churches also collaborate on a Woman of Faith Service Project hosted by the Interfaith Committee of Women. This year the seventh annual event, called “Many Faiths, One Heart,” is focusing on building “turtle shelter vests” that retain warmth even when wet, that will be handed out to homeless people. Volunteers age 8 and up of all skill levels are invited to pin, cut, sew, assemble and write inspirational notes. This annual event will take place at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection on March 22 from 9 to noon. The Centerville South Stake also has a large group of women that meet each week and work on crocheting and sewing projects for a wide variety of charitable organizations, including Primary Children’s Hospital, Shriners, and the Bountiful Food Pantry. Inspired by this long-standing group with lots of donated resources, Laura Brady of the Bountiful Central Stake, has started a similar interfaith “Friday Friends” group that meets monthly in various churches in Bountiful to participate in meaningful service projects. Kits can also be picked up to bring home and complete. Crocheted octopi, for example, are created for NICU babies who need a tentacle to hold on to. This helps the babies avoid pulling on vital medical tubes.