America250: Celebrating Faith and Freedom Community Interfaith Event to Honor America’s Semiquincentennial

HOUSTON, Texas (February 23, 2026) — A free, family-friendly community interfaith
event will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM. This event, held in
honor of America250, is being organized by an interfaith committee of community
volunteers to celebrate religious freedom and peacemaking in the United States.

“In honor of America 250 we want to examine religious freedom in the United States,
celebrate our religious diversity, and provide an opportunity for unity and peacemaking
between people of different faith traditions,” said event organizer Lisa Mouton.

The event will feature keynote speaker Steven T. Collis, law professor at the University
of Texas, acclaimed author, and religious freedom scholar. The event will also feature a
variety of breakout session options designed to appeal to a wide cross-section of the
community.

“America’s greatness cannot be fully grasped without an appreciation for the
contribution of religious faith communities to our cherished freedoms and moral values.

The participation from diverse religious backgrounds attests to the importance of
interfaith respect and collaboration,” noted Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, Interfaith Consultant.

Event committee member and Spring Interfaith Council former chair Nancy Agafitei
said, “We hope that participants will be enlightened with a greater understanding of the
religious freedom issues currently happening, uplifted in knowing they are not alone in
facing those challenges, inspired to trust each other as we become peacemakers in our
individual spheres of influence, and motivated to return to their communities ready to
work together to take meaningful action.”

This event will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building
located at 16535 Kleinwood Dr. in Spring. More information can be found at
https://sites.google.com/view/america250-celebrating-faith/home.