Bluffton builds unity at International Friendship Potluck

To prepare for August’s International Friendship Day, Bluffton celebrated global unity at the fourth annual International Friendship Potluck on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Organized by Catholics for the Common Good, the event featured an array of international dishes and meaningful discussions about building community ties.

Sister Pamela Smith, SSCM, of the Diocese of Charleston’s Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, and priests from around the world continue to foster togetherness and peace. “Bringing together many cultures and denominations is the purpose for these events, but we can also foster unity daily on our own,” said Father Marreddy Allam from India.

Ferine Johannes, Co-director of Catholics for the Common Good, encouraged collaboration for local causes. She highlighted the Walk for Water fundraiser, inspired by Jon and Gretchen Nickel of Lowcountry Presbyterian, which raises funds to install water purifying devices in impoverished areas. Upcoming walks are scheduled for Port Royal on September 13 and Bluffton on September 20.

Susan Wheatley from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introduced the free Family Tree app, promoting cultural appreciation by exploring personal ancestry. Sue Christiansen emphasized the use of JustServe. org for connecting volunteers with local service projects, including St. John’s Baptist Church’s upcoming Youth Learning Center. Pastor Gwendolyn Greene of St. John’s shared, “We come as friends and leave as family… learning about useful apps to help each other and tasting delicious dishes along the way.”

Formalized in March 2022, Catholics for the Common Good committed to causes of racial justice, environmental stewardship, and Catholic social teachings with inclusive, interfaith participation. Since then, Catholic, Presbyterian, AME, Latter-day Saints, Methodist, Baptist, and Jewish members have worked together.

The International Friendship Potluck began in 2022 when Ferine Johannes proposed gathering area faith communities for a shared meal. Sister Pam has since extended invitations to churches across Bluffton, resulting in an ever-growing, diverse turnout. Attendees have represented a range of cultural backgrounds, including Mexican, Indian, African American, Eastern European, Irish, Fijian, Danish, and Filipino heritages, each contributing cherished family recipes.

Victoria Brown, an adoptee who recently explored her ancestry through DNA testing, shared her personal connection to the event. “I’ve always felt mostly American with my multi-DNA,” she said. “I brought cornbread because it’s a Southern dish that represents gathering in a country that brings together people from across the planet.”

The event celebrates International Friendship Day with vibrant cultural attire, from saris and dashikis to Fijian Salwar Kameez and Mexican sombreros. Michael Johannes of Catholics for the Common Good shared a piñata and Mexican soda while inviting volunteers to support Freedom House, a local shelter. Their next major event, the Annual Giving, will be held October 3 at Hampton Lake.

“Bringing diverse people together to help others has built friendships and meaningful discussions on human connection in a disconnected world,” said Ferine Johannes. “It takes a village, and we are the village.”