I
encourage you to take some time this coming week to sit in awe for a
period of time, rejoicing that the world can, for a common period of
time, embrace the concept that we can have Interfaith Harmony
between religions. 
AGENDA
Thurs.
Feb. 9, 2012 @ 7:00pm
905
929 LOVE (5683) 
The seminar is open to all. 
PEACE
MEDITATION GROUP 
Our
first Spiritual Dialogue Circle of 2012 will be on
Monday, January 2nd. This month’s theme is
“Compassion”, facilitated by Ellen Jamal from Don
Heights Unitarian Congregation. 
Time:
9:00 am - 4:00 pm (please arrive before 9:00 am to sign in)
We
welcome everyone to our breakfast meetings!
When:
This
was the power of Rumi and Shams in twelfth century 
Contemplative
practice is often lauded as a common trait of many
religious and spiritual traditions, yet approaches
to contemplation can be as diverse as the
traditions in which they are practiced. This
webinar features two experts in conversation with
each other about the contemplative traditions from
Sufism and Christianity. Nahid Angha and Daniel
Wolpert share their expertise and compare and
contrast the contemplative practices of their
respective traditions.
Although
periodic NAINews Online/Print Summaries will continue,
the NAINews blog is more up-to-date. Don’t miss out on
NAINews. Be sure to subscribe at Restoring Dignity is a global initiative engaged by Religions for Peace to introduce the issue of violence against women as a fundamental challenge of peace making. Religions for Peace launched the Restoring Dignity Initiative to introduce the issues of violence against women as a fundamental challenge of peace making. Why? The world’s major faith traditions – each in its [...]
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INTERFAITH
UNITY NEWS
February
04 2012 issue – Deadline for next
issue: February
26 2012
www.interfaithunity.ca 416-8015597 info@interfaithunity.ca Home l From
the Editor l Resources
l
Contact
l Mission
l Peace
Poetry l Event
Reports l
Links above are to our Interfaith unity web pages |
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Member
of: North American Interfaith Network Member
of: Toronto & Area Interfaith Council Associate Organization of: United Religions Initiative
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CONTENTS
LISTING (click
titles below to go to listing) Note:
Links on your computer may have to be permitted to operate |
PUBLISHER'S MESSAGEWORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK < >
ISARC Presents HEALTH
AND POVERTY: WHAT IS THE COST OF POVERTY AND
ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH? Scarboro Missions Presents AN
INTRODUCTION TO THE BELIEFS AND
PRACTICES OF ISLAM Institute of Traditional Medicine Presents: TEACHING
ON MINDFULNESS MEDITATION MULTI-FAITH
SUNDAY WORSHIP < > PEACE
MEDITATION GROUP
SPIRITUAL DIALOGUE CIRCLE SACRED
ACTIVISM When Spirit Meets Action < >
STRATEGY FOR “MEET AND GREET YOUR MPP’S" WITH MICHAEL SKALJIN < >
SURREY
NEIGHBOURING FAITHS UPCOMING
PROGRAMS < >
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIA FOR CONTEMPLATIVE STUDIES < > TIDE CONFERENCE: A WAVE OF
CHANGE FOR TEENS |
Judy Lee Trautman on changes to NAINews & A New Post on NAINews: Restoring Dignity < >
PEACEMAKING
CIRCLES: FROM
CRIME TO COMMUNITY < >
ACTION AND ADVOCACY FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
STUDYING
SACRED TEXTS ONLINE TO
ENCOUNTER ANOTHER VIEW OF GOD < >
JEWISH SEMINARY JOINS SCHOOL
OF CREATING COMMON COMMUNITY AND AN INTERFAITH CAMPUS
OF THREE WORSHIP CENTRES < > Follow Their Roots CHRISTIANS, JEWS, < > < >
A WISH FOR JEWISH-CATHOLIC DIALOGUE IN 2012
Compassion is the essence of the teaching of all great spiritual figures...
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This amazing week of Interfaith expression and Good Will begins again this year beginning Monday February 6! When I began my Interfaith studies and work in 1995 I would never have dreamed that such a unifying week could have been inaugurated, let alone become so wide spread in our world.
You might also have some like-minded friends over for dinner and for a time of sharing from their respective traditions. Clergy might bring interfaith components into the next Sunday's liturgy, even into the choir! Perhaps a guest from another faith group to deliver a talk instead of the usual sermon. There are a few well organized events across Canada. Even more in the U.S.A. and internationally. Check out the listings at: www.worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/events-calendar/ . Even if you cannot attend any of them there is a certain exhilaration, a sense of a 'YES WE CAN!" which comes from simply scrolling down through this international listing of Interfaith Events from around the world! The sight of all of them certainly quieted any doubts I have had of late concerning the future of Interfaith Harmony. Here is its published history: "The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. Just under a month later, on October 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week. The World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative. This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets. The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible. The World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour. This formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths, and those with no faith. The World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platform—one week in a year—when all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the world what a powerful movement they are. The thousands of events organized by these groups often go unnoticed not only by the general public, but also by other groups themselves. This week will allow for these groups to become aware of each other and strengthen the movement by building ties and avoiding duplicating each others’ efforts. With over 300 Letters of Support, and 200 registered events in over 40 countries, all organized in little over 3 months, the first World Interfaith Harmony Week was a success. It is hoped that this initiative will provide a focal point from which all people of goodwill can recognize that the common values they hold far outweigh the differences they have, and thus provide a strong dosage of peace and harmony to their communities." (Excerpt from the World Interfaith home page) Vist their website at worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/
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| TORONTO AND AREA EVENTS |
TORONTO
Scarboro
Missions Presents AN
INTRODUCTION TO THE BELIEFS AND
PRACTICES OF ISLAM Tuesdays,
February 7 — 28, 2012 7:00
p.m. — 9:00 p.m.
Scarboro
Missions, (SW
corner of inquiries:
416-262-7135 ext. 296 or interfaith@scarboromissions.ca
No
admission fee. No registration required. Feb.
7: The Prophet Muhammad & The Origins of Islam by
Shaykh Imran Ally, Imam of the TARIC Islamic Centre ( Muslim
chaplain for Feb.
14 Living the Message of the Qur’an by
Dr. Katherine Bullock, President, The Tessellate
Institute; President,
Compass Books; Lecturer, the
She
accepted Islam in 1994 Feb.
21 The Five Pillars & the Six Principles of Islam by
Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi, President and Founder of Faith of
Life Network; Imam
of Sayeda Khadija Centre; Chairman of the Canadian
Council of Imams; TV
Host & Producer. Feb.
28 Islam as a Way of Life by
Shaykh Yusuf Badat, Imam of the Islamic Foundation of (
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Institute
of Traditional Medicine Presents: TEACHING ON MINDFULNESS MEDITATION with Zasep Tulku Rinpoche www.itmworld.org
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AURORA
/
Our
Peace Meditation group will be meeting on Fridays in Please
email Erika Allen at erwassif@gmail.com
if you are interested in joining us.”
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TORONTO
SPIRITUAL DIALOGUE CIRCLE 7:00pm to 8:30pm Location:
Don Heights Unitarian Congregation, 416-444-8839
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TORONTO
SACRED
ACTIVISM
When
Spirit Meets Action
With
special guest: Andrew Harvey
February
7, 2012 @ 7:30pm • $20
The
At
the historic warehouse -
“Discover
an insightful vision of the contemporary world crisis with spiritual,
intellectual & cultural mystic Andrew
Harvey-whose passion is to awaken people to a new & essential
empowerment in this world.
At
this special inaugural evening - join in exploring:
Seven
Laws of Sacred Activism fusing the five kinds of service that create
Sacred Activism; Holistic practices for Sacred Activists; How to create a
Network of Grace.
To
Register, please pay in advance at www.theinnergarden.ca
: go to Events and
Scroll down to Feb 7.”
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TORONTO Spring
Rain Sangha Presents:
1-DAY
LOVING-KINDNESS (METTA) MEDITATION RETREAT When:
Saturday, March 10th, 2012 Where: Society
of Friends (Quakers) House,
Sponsored
by Spring Rain Sangha Facilitators: Jim
Bedard and Randy Baker Cost:
$30 (No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Please
contact us if cost is a problem.) Registration: Pre-registration
is necessary. Application forms can be found in the
"Retreats" section of www.SpringRainSangha.com Contact: For more information, please contact us at one-dayretreats@springrainsangha.com
“This 1-Day Loving-Kindness (Metta) Meditation Retreat introduces practices that help us become more loving individuals. By gently re-orienting the heart and mind to focus on the positive energies of loving-kindness and well-being, the practice of metta helps to gradually open our hearts to unconditional love for all beings, including ourselves. People of all faiths are welcome to attend this unique event.”
Guelph ANDREW
HARVEY ON FATHER BEDE GRIFFITHS: A
MEETING OF TWO MYSTICS Where:
St.
Brigid’s Villa, Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Guelph
February
11th 9:30 am- 4:30 pm February
12th 9:30 am- 3:30 pm Cost:
$325 Register:
www.sacredwisdomcentre.com
For
More Information Contact: Barbara.Susan.Booth@sacredwisdomcentre.com “Sponsored
by Sacred Wisdom Centre in partnership with True
mysticism comes alive when a mystic meets a mystic and the
combustion that ensues changes both of them forever. educated,
both with a passionate love of
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| BRITISH COLUMBIA EVENTS |
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SURREY
B.C. SURREY
NEIGHBOURING FAITHS PROGRAMS:
February 4, 2012 – Workshop at Children the
Heart of the Matter Conference The Surrey Neighbouring
Faiths Program will be presenting a workshop to early
childhood educators at the “Children the Heart of the
Matter” conference in May 10-11, 2012 – Workshop at 2012 “Cities
Fit for Children” Provincial The 3rd Annual Cities Fit for Children Provincial Summit is dedicated to the sustainable development of our cities and urban and rural areas. The event will bring together local, municipal and regional leaders involved in policy decisions and designing and building healthy safe communities for children and families. Come and hear how multifaith networks can play an important role in this process VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: http://snfp.ca/
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CONTEMPLATIVES IN CONVERSATION: SUFI AND CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES
WEBINAR Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Nahid Angha, Ph.D. is the co-director and co-founder of the International
Association of Sufism (IAS), founder of the
International Sufi Women Organization, and the
executive editor of Sufism: An Inquiry. She is an
internationally published scholar and one of the
major Sufi teachers, scholars, and translators of
Sufi literature today, with over fifteen published
books. Daniel Wolpert is the co-founder of the Minnesota Institute of
Contemplation and Healing (MICAH). For the past
twenty five years he has taught in the fields of
psychology and spiritual formation and led
retreats in such settings as the Art of Spiritual
Direction Program at SFTS, the Youth Ministry and
Spirituality Project, national ministry
conferences, UCLA, UND medical school, Luther
Seminary, and numerous churches. [READ
MORE]
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INTERNATIONAL
SYMPOSIA
April
26-29, 2012 | Hyatt Regency,
http://contemplativeresearch.org/
“The
International Symposia for Contemplative Studies will
bring together academics and other interested attendees
for presentation, discussion, and collaborative
networking in the emerging field of contemplative
studies, which includes contemplative basic science,
contemplative clinical science, contemplative philosophy
and humanities, contemplative education, and those
domains of contemplative practice that relate to and
interact with these fields of research and
scholarship.”
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TIDE
CONFERENCE: A WAVE OF CHANGE FOR TEENS May
27-29, 2012, Memorial Day Weekend Northeastern University,
“The
Teenage Identity Diversity Education (TIDE) Conference
is organized and led by teens who hope to spread pluralism, increase
the impact of teenage voices, and have their presence felt as a
positive force in the global community. The goals of TIDE are to train teens to communicate
respectfully and use their skills in discussions about highly
charged issues; develop leadership and facilitation skills; and
foster bonds and lasting friendships among the youth in attendance. Conference attendees will participate in workshops,
dialogues, and other activities throughout the weekend that allow
them to discover more about themselves and their own understanding
of personal identity; learn about the beliefs and identities of
others; and make their voices heard. The TIDE conference has been
selected as a Post-Parliament Event by the Council
for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR), an event that
cultivates harmony among the world’s spiritual and religious
communities to achieve a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.”
[READ MORE…]
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| NORTH AMERICAN INTERFAITH NETWORK
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By
Judy Lee Trautman jltrautman@sbcglobal.net
The
Fall 2011 Online/Print Edition of NAINews was just
placed online. It contains a “Save the Date” for
Connect 2012 in Click
here to read NAINews Fall 2011. Click
here to download a print version in Adobe Acrobat format
of NAINews Fall 2011. You will need Acrobat reader
available as a free download at www.adobe.com
. Building
Bridges of Interfaith Understanding, Cooperation and
Service.
A New Post on NAINews
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| BOOKS
OF INTEREST
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PEACEMAKING CIRCLES: FROM CRIME TO COMMUNITY
In this ground-breaking book, the authors outline both the spirit and the structures that make up the peacemaking Circle process as it is used in communities, schools, correctional settings, and in healing many other kinds of harms. Though the book relates the process to criminal justice, the explanation of Circle philosophy and practice can be readily applied to hurts and conflicts in other areas of life. Above all, the book offers a grounded vision for how we can be together "in a good way," especially when it seems hardest to do. http://www.livingjusticepress.org/
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by
Kay Pranis, Barry Stuart, and Mark Wedge
A
Resource Guide for Religious Communities”
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STUDYING
SACRED TEXTS ONLINE TO
ENCOUNTER ANOTHER VIEW OF GOD by Matthew L. Skinner, Council for a Parliament of World Religions Blog,
January 2012 People of faith can promote religious literacy and better acquaint
our neighbors (and ourselves) with our beliefs; but to do so without
showing them how our faith is meaningfully lived out, how it helps
us makes sense of our lives and our world, accomplishes little.
Worse, it risks reducing the notion of “religion” to a list of
definable assertions or a set of historical processes. “
[READ MORE…]
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“Research
consistently shows that people—and I’m thinking primarily of
those in my home country of the United States—know alarming little
about the basic contours of the world’s religions.| NEWS |
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JEWISH
SEMINARY JOINS TORONTO’S SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY Rabbi Roy Tanenbaum marvels at the idea that
the first mainstream Jewish seminary in “I have never heard of a situation like
this in the world in which a Jewish seminary is among Christian
theological schools and seminaries,” said Rabbi Tanenbaum,
president of the recently founded “The creation of this school really marks
the coming of age for
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Charles
Lewis Nov 25, 2011 – National Post (CREATING COMMON COMMUNITY
& AN INTERFAITH CAMPUS OF THREE WORSHIP CENTRES
Omaha
,
ENInews, December 14, 2011
"Omaha, Nebraska may not be the place that some imagine as fertile ground for the prospect of the three Abrahamic faiths finding common ground but, the vision of such peaceful co-existence has taken a major step towards becoming reality. The Tri-Faith Initiative of Omaha announced on 13 December that it has completed the purchase of four adjacent parcels of land, amounting to about 35 acres, on a former golf course in the heart of Omaha, Episcopal News Service reports. The course is being turned into Sterling Ridge, a development that will also include single-family homes, an assisted-living facility, office and retail space and a hotel. [Read Complete Details…]"
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by
Chris Miller The B.C. Catholic, December 15, 2011
Masood
Peracha, co-chair of the Phoenix Multi-Faith Society for Harmony,
said the organization was established five years ago to build a
greater understanding among all faiths. They
wanted to ensure that the same hatred and religious indifference
seen in the rest of the world would not prevail in “It’s
important for us to gather together, to learn together, understand
each other, and respect each other because by learning we can dispel
fear,” said Rabbi David Kunin, president of the Edmonton
Interfaith Centre. “Once we learn that we have a lot more in
common, we have many more reasons to celebrate together than to hate
each other." " [Read
More…]
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"EDMONTON|
Australian
Abrahamics Address Domestic Violence "The Interfaith
forum was held at the Islamic Centre of Victoria, for observance of
the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women. It
was organised to coincide with White
Ribbon Day, an Australian initiative generating community
responses and participation in the International Day of Elimination
of Violence against Women. Maryum Chaudhry of the Islamic Centre of
Victoria introduced the guests and opened the forum outlining the
need for collaboration and interfaith responses to family violence
and violence against women. … Representatives
from Judaism, Christianity and Islam addressed the problem from
their own perspectives. Members of the White Ribbon Foundation made
a presentation. As well the overall topic of Abuse against Women was
addressed, including the topic of women refugees." [Read
More…]
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by
Administrator, Interfaith New – Highlights, November 26, 2011|
A WISH FOR JEWISH-CATHOLIC DIALOGUE IN 2012 Founder of “Pave the Way Foundation” Speaks on Steps
for the Future By Anita Bourdin,
Published in Zenit, January 17, 2012 “Pope Benedict XVI's invitation to promote
peace by working with the youth is right on target, according to the
Jewish founder of a New York-based organization that aims to
reconcile religions.
ZENIT: ‘On the occasion of the annual day of
dialogue with Judaism organized by the Catholic Church in Krupp: ‘The
Pave the Way Foundation (PTWF) is a non-sectarian organization
that seeks to remove obstacles between the world's religions.
Jewish-Catholic dialogue has been an important part of understanding
one another's faith traditions and that clears away prejudices and
hatred. PTWF, however, concentrates our efforts on identifying
concrete obstacles and seeks to remove them. First, through our
historic gestures we establish a level of trust and then we can move
to accomplish our core mission. Religion must be removed as a tool
to justify private agendas. Removal of this abuse makes dialogue
easier.’ ZENIT: ‘The message of Pope Benedict for the
World Day of Peace 2012 is focused on educating the youth in justice
and peace: How can we put into practice this invitation for peace
between religions?...' " [READ MORE…]
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Gary
Krupp| INSPIRATION |
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“Compassion is the essence of Jesus’ teaching, and indeed of the teaching of all great spiritual figures from Mohammed to Isaiah, from Lao Tzu to Chief Seattle. Yet compassion has been sentimentalized and severed from its relationship to justice-making and celebration. Creation Spirituality links the struggle for justice with the yearning for mysticism." -- Matthew Fox
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