Park City Interfaith Council joins forces with sheriff’s office and police

Cairns, which serve as guidance through tough trekking on uncertain path journeys. Photo: David Clode

PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City Interfaith Council offers more than just ski-in, ski-out slopeside prayer services to locals and visitors. They also work closely with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and Park City Police Department, providing support to community members in times of need.

Their mission is to promote spiritual health and understanding through collaboration among faith-based leaders and community service.

The Council includes but is not limited to: 

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Creekside Fellowship
• St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
• Shepard of the Mountains Lutheran Church
• Temple Har Shalom 
• Young Life
• Cross Point Presbyterian Church
• Park City Community Church
• Branch House Church of Park City
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church
• Christian Center of Park City

Meetings are held on (or about) the first Thursday of each month, with locations rotating among faith-based facilities to foster openness and shared experiences. Attendees range from clergy to lay-leaders and designated respected congregants.

Dan Moak has been President of the Park City Interfaith Council for the last three years of its 20-year existence. He told TownLift, “The longest-serving member of the Interfaith Council who has been there since its inception is Sandy Foley from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She’s not just our Treasurer; she’s our treasure.”

The Park City Police Department often contacts the Council to support community members facing crises, especially after there’s been a death. Council members offer wisdom, a listening ear, and connections to local nonprofits ready to assist. Officers and deputies, after responding to incidents, also have the option to reach out to the Council for their own trauma-related mental health and well-being.

Deer Valley and Park City Mountain provide ski-in-ski-out, free, brief Services open to all. Deer Valley’s Sunset Cabin hosts Shabbat services on Fridays at 2 p.m., while Park City Mountain offers slopeside Sunday Chapel Services, which retired clergy Robyn Nygard coordinates. 

Moak encouraged residents to connect with local congregations, saying, “Now is a great time to reconnect, find love, support, meaning, and purpose through service and relationships.” He continued, “There are plenty of amazing gatherings in town, and for people that might be lonely and don’t have connectedness to a network of friends, you can find it here in Park City in different vibrant ways.”