NEWS: Toronto & Area

WOMEN OF FAITH

– BUILDING HOMES, HOPE AND RELATIONSHIPS

On Thursday, October 16, 30 women of different faiths, ages, cultures and backgrounds gathered at the first “Women of Faith Build”, a collaboration between the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Habitat for Humanity Toronto.

Organized by Judy Csillag, Director of Outreach and Partnerships, the goals of the “Women of Faith Build” were to bring a diverse group of women together to share a meaningful intercultural experience and to increase awareness of the need for affordable housing.

This initiative provided an opportunity for women to connect with other women who may have otherwise not have met. A week prior to the build, they participated in a community-building workshop facilitated by Carla Wittes, VP, Programs, and Jenni Stoff, National Programs Manager.

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XXVIII WORLD RELIGIONS CONFERENCE 

Waterloo, Ontario

Theme: Founders of Religion - Model for Humanity

Held Sunday, October 26, 2008 (10:00 am ~ 6:00 pm)

Continuing 28 years of interfaith respect, mutual understanding and harmony among world's faiths, the 28th World Religions Conference was held on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the prestigious Humanities Theatre, J.G. Hagey Hall, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

This event drew several hundred from the region and across Canada. The World Religions Conference of Waterloo is now the largest Multi-Faith event of its kind in Canada.  

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AN INTERFAITH DAY FOR YOUTH

By: Terry Weller, Interfaith Unity

Saturday September 14 was truly an active day of peace at the Multi-faith centre in the University of Toronto .  Children of the Earth, World Spirit Youth Council, Sacred Fire of the Great Peace and the Interfaith Department of Scarboro Missions came together to invite the youth of Toronto to “Become the Change You Want the World to See!”

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NEW OFFICE FOR INTERFAITH UNITY

By: Terry Weller, Interfaith Unity Editor

Trinity Anglican Church has been putting the finishing touches on its restored Rectory. Built in 1862 at a cost of $3,000 the rectory spent many of its years as home to succeeding Anglican rectors and their families.

Thanks to a generous donation from a parishioner, the rectory has been renovated and updated to accommodate various ministry programs.

These groups are:  the A.B.L.E. Network, the Clothes Closet, Welcoming Arms, the Interfaith Unity and the Interchurch Health Network.

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NEWS: International

NEW CATHOLIC-MUSLIM FORUM GETS TO WORK

Talks Begin on Love of God, Love of Neighbor

, NOV. 4, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The first seminar organized by the newly established Catholic-Muslim Forum began today on the theme "Love of God, Love of Neighbor."
The group, with 29 representatives per creed, was established by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and representatives of the 138 Muslim leaders who sent an open letter to Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders last October.
According to the Vatican press office, the panel will consider the seminar theme from two main angles: "theological and spiritual fundamentals" and "the dignity of the human person and mutual respect."
The Pope will address the participants Thursday. That afternoon during a public meeting, the forum will present a final joint declaration.
Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, told Vatican Radio on Monday that the seminar seeks "to see which elements we share, because together we can give a coherent response of love for God, seeking to love each other."...

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INTERFAITH UNITY COLUMNISTS

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND HOPE BY BUILDING HOMES

By Raheel Raza - Interfaith Unity Columnist

Earlier this year, when Judy Csillag, Director Community Outreach and Partnerships for The Canadian Centre for Diversity asked me if I would like to participate in a Women of Faith build for Habitat for Humanity, I said yes with no idea of what this would entail. Little did I know that this would turn out to be one of the most meaningful and unusual experiences of my life.

Since I came to Canada twenty years ago, there has always been an urge to give back to this wonderful country that is my adopted land and that has given me and my family a roof over our heads, jobs, security and most of all freedom. I realize that many people don't have these luxuries in their native lands or take them for granted in Canada . So I volunteer wherever I can but the Habitat experience takes volunteering to a whole new level. Habitat has a vision for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. To uphold the dignity of every human being, Habitat works with partnerships and a belief of faith in action.

The mission of The Canadian Centre for Diversity is to build bridges between communities and to build a society that celebrates diversity, difference, and inclusion so it's no wonder that with Habitat, they came up with the idea of a Women of Faith build. Co-Chairs of the project were Rabbi Lori Cohen, Reverend Cathy Gibbs and Tanya Khan. It was a smooth, well planned and well executed project. Thirty women from six faith communities were invited to participate and we met at the Bishop Strachan School for our mandatory training session. But it was not just training....

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A NEW LIGHT OF HOPE IS SHINING UPON US ALL. ...

By Dr. Kamran Mofid - Interfaith Unity Columnist

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CORRESPONDENT REPORTS

REPORT:  SAN FRANCISCO

NAINConnect 2008 GOES TO SAN FRANCISCO

By: Paul Chaffee, Chair 2008 Host Committee; Director Presidio Interfaith Chapel, San Francisco

A glistening San Francisco cast off its summer fog for the first three days of NAINConnect 2008 – Embracing Our Interfaith Future, held July 24-28. When the fog returned on Sunday, old friends and new and a cacophony of happy conversation kept us from noticing.

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REPORT:  TORONTO  

VOICES OF HOPE

Toronto ’s inaugural World AIDS Day community concert

By The Rev. John Joseph Mastandrea

Chairperson , World Aids Concert Committee

On December 1, 2008, Canada and the world will recognize the 20^th Anniversary of World AIDS Day.

As we enter the third decade of this global initiative to recognize HIV/AIDS as a critical health issue, Casey House invites you to join us and keep the promise by showing Canada your leadership. In conjunction with Dr. Peter Centre ( Vancouver ) and La Maison du Parc (Montréal) we will unite in one voice in support of people living with HIV/AIDS, when we host Toronto ’s inaugural World AIDS Day community concert, “Voices of Hope”.

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A SPECIAL DAY OF LOVING-KINDNESS

Spring Rain Sangha’s 1-Day Metta Meditation Event

By: Lisa Gorecki, Interfaith Unity Correspondent

At the front of the room, in a large white alcove, sits a 16-foot-high Buddha statue.  Its eyes are gently closed, its expression serene.  The vases of colourful flowers that surround it make its cool shade of ivory even more soothing to the eye. 

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