Faith Commons is happy to announce that Mara Richards Bim is joining the interfaith nonprofit organization as Program Director effective June 1. Ms. Bim has worked with Faith Commons as a pastoral intern for the past year, fulfilling a requirement for her Master of Divinity degree at Perkins School of Theology at SMU, which she will receive in August 2024, along with a certificate in spiritual direction. She holds a previous bachelor degree and two other master degrees in theater and performing arts.
Faith Commons was founded in 2018 by the Reverend Dr. George A. Mason, who serves as President alongside Chief Relationship Officer, Rabbi Nancy Kasten. The mission of Faith Commons is to amplify diverse religious voices in service of the common good. Programs include Good God, a podcast focused on faith and public life, initiatives promoting voting rights and democracy, food security in historically underserved communities, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, racial justice, public education, and policies that promote humane immigration reform and gun violence reduction. Faith Commons seeks understanding among polarized populations while advocating for a more just and inclusive society.
Mara is experienced in the nonprofit setting, having founded and led the award-winning youth theater group, Cry Havoc Theater Company, from 2014-23. She is a candidate for ordination as a deacon in the United Methodist Church. Her work with Faith Commons will include development as well as program creation and implementation.
“Rabbi Kasten and I are delighted to welcome Mara to our team on a permanent basis. Her gifts and passion for social justice are undergirded by a faith that acknowledges the image of God in every individual,” said Dr. Mason. “Her presence will expand our ability to convene, collaborate and communicate, which is both the means and manner of our relational work.”
Ms. Bim will also be joining the writing team of Baptist News Global this summer as a Clemons Fellow. She is married to Brett, and they have one daughter, Harper.