Detroit's Largest Inter-Faith Gathering in City's History, Part of Detroit 300 Celebration - Spiritual Day, July 25th 7:00-9:30 PM

Over 6,000 People Expected to Attend Interfaith Gathering

DETROIT, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Once known as the City of Churches, Detroit's grand finale event to the Detroit 300 Birthday Festival is Spiritual Day, a celebration of Detroit's faith-based heritage along with a re-affirmation of unity among all religions and faiths for the future. On Wednesday, July 25, 2001, over 6,000 people will gather to celebrate Spiritual Day and recognize their faith, diversity and devotion at Chene Park in Detroit from 7:00-9:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend and admission is free.

Spiritual Day, conceived by a committee composed of the area's most notable religious leaders, will unite the faithful and faith-based leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Bahai'i faiths, representing hundreds of congregations in the name of belief, healing and peace. To commemorate Detroit's tricentennial birthday, the event is being held to coincide with the 300th anniversary of Detroit's oldest house of worship, Ste. Anne de Detroit on July 26th.

The spiritual experience will entail:

    *  The dedication of a memorial tree.

    *  A procession of faith-based leaders, which will be proceeded by a
       Native American blessing.

    *  100 voices of the Detroit 300 Tricentennial Gospel Choir led by
       Reverend Edgar Vann.

    *  A theatrical performance of "Bringin' the Word": The Legacy of Black
       Preachers in Detroit.

    *  A Covenant pledge of unity, peace and faith recited by the audience.

Cardinal Adam Maida, who will be leading the celebration as honorary chair of Spiritual Day said, ``I'm honored to be working on such an important and historic project with the interfaith community in the largest gathering ever in Detroit. Together, we will work and pray for a renaissance of the spiritual traditions which make this community the special place that it is.'' The Cardinal will be also joined by Carmen Harlan of WDIV, who will be emcee for the evening.

Created to shape Detroit's yearlong tricentennial celebration, the independent, non-profit organization Detroit 300, Inc. is responsible for implementing community programs, special events and permanent legacies. Chairman Edsel B. Ford II heads the Detroit 300 commission. Appointed by Mayor Dennis Archer in 1998, the commission is comprised of 45 of the region's corporate, cultural and civic leaders. Maud Lyon is executive director. For more information about Detroit 300 call 1-800-DETROIT or visit www.detroit300.org.