SALT LAKE CITY — Nov. 6, 2025— People of all faiths will gather at The Cathedral of the Madeleine (331 E. S. Temple St., SLC)on Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a celebration of shared stewardship and a call to collective action to protect and restore Great Salt Lake.
Our Sacred Lake: An Interfaith Gathering with Prayer, Poetry & Music, hosted by Great Salt Lake Interfaith Action Coalition, Grow the Flow, and LDS Earth Stewardship, invites Utahns to reflect on the sacred connection between spiritual well-being and the health of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
“Faith reminds us that environmental stewardship is not just an ecological issue; it is a moral and spiritual one,” said Father Christopher Gray, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine. “By coming together, we give witness to the sacred responsibility we share for our common home.”
The gathering comes as Great Salt Lake hovers near historic lows, threatening air quality, ecosystems, and billions of dollars in economic activity. Scientists warn that without urgent action, the lake risks crossing irreversible thresholds—threatening the same kind of collapse that has devastated communities near drying saline lakes worldwide.
In September, Utah signaled a turning point in its commitment to the lake: State lawmakers announced a $200 million public-private partnership to restore Great Salt Lake by 2034. This Great Salt Lake 2034 Charter unites government, philanthropic, nonprofit, and business leaders behind an unparalleled effort to refill the lake before the 2034 Winter Olympics.
“For years, Utahns have prayed, organized, spoken up, and made changes in their own lives to protect the lake we love,” said Ben Abbott, a BYU ecologist and executive director of Grow the Flow. “We are seeing the fruits of those efforts right now. But the most meaningful work is still ahead of us. We need your voices and your faith now more than ever.”
Our Sacred Lake will feature prayers and readings from multiple faith traditions, original poetry, choral and instrumental music, and a collective moment of commitment to “Save Our Sacred Lake.” Participants will envision a future where the Great Salt Lake and its communities thrive together—united in reverence, justice, and care for creation.
“Together, as interfaith communities, we are gathering in prayer, song, poetry, dance, and music as we seek the inspiration, strength and the will to become the first community in history to save their saline sea,” said Joan Gregory of the Great Salt Lake Interfaith Action Coalition.
The event is free and open to the public. Use the circle parking behind the Cathedral for ADA parking and drop offs only. RSVP here and view the program here. Security will be provided.
