There are many ways to practice Interfaith and many ways to organize programs for your city. Most groups create panels of people from different faiths brought together to discuss their beliefs with an audience. Many groups have breakfasts or meals with interfaith panels and noted speakers. We want to highlight SPECIAL PROGRAMS interfaith groups have created which were successful and can be replicated by other Interfaith groups. Below are some of those:
Poway Interfaith Team, Poway, California, USA
Position multi-age, multi-faith groups in a room with each table/group assigned to a topic to discuss what DOES NOT WORK when organizing and planning interfaith panels, activities, and discussion groups. Be sure to get input from millennials, younger people, and those who have no religious affiliation as well as from those who are more seasoned interfaith activists. The results are enlightening!
City of Troy and Troy School District Partner
for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
(Troy, Michigan) – Calling ALL community members to join us on Monday, January 21, 2019 at Athens High School, located at 4333 John Rd Road, for a Day of Service, as The Troy School District, The City of Troy, and the TSD Superintendent Student Advisory Board honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by following in his mission to make our world a better place.
Start the morning with breakfast at 8:30 am, a program at 9 am, then immediately following, begin giving back, by completing three service projects, which are suitable for children and adults:
- Assemble CARE PACKAGES for local members of the military now serving in the Middle East
- Make no-sew FLEECE BLANKETS for children, veterans and cancer patients at local hospitals
- Donating BLOOD through the Red Cross and sign up on the bone marrow registry (make an appointment at org, Sponsor code: troyathens)
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MultiFaith Council of NW Ohio
This month we had an AMAZING Universal Worship featuring children and youth for the readings and music, in which they shared what they liked about their faith from 7 traditions. Photos
Yesterday we had a forum on the Opioid Crisis as the 3rd Annual Woody Trautman MultiFaith Lecture. Photos
Attached is the flyer for our Interfaith Awareness Week event. We are featuring it in our monthly updates, which go out today. We also have a note about IAW. Also attached is our revised logo, which you could add to our PowerPoint Slide if you have time.
In the Fall we are celebrating our 5th Anniversary as a Compassionate Community with a Parliament of the NW Ohio Religions.
Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
Four years ago I received a phone call from a small congregation in Flemming, Colorado. They were doing a study of world religions and realized that none of them had ever met a Muslim person, so they reached out to us. We responded to the call and planned a road trip a couple weeks later. I climbed in my Nissan Maxima with my friends Iman Jodeh and Ismail Akbult, and we drove three hours east from Denver.
We were met with some caution as word had spread that ‘Muslims were coming to town’ and some in the community were a little nervous. After everyone settled in we sat around the circle and began introductions.
What happened next was a lesson in moving through fear to connect across our deep humanity. Each person shared a bit about themselves, about children and pets, health, and the community. When the circle of introductions came around to Iman she laughed and noted how much she had in common with everyone around the circle. She said that she too had a cat that brought joy to her life. She shared how proud her parents were of each of their children. The air in the room lightened, and the eyes of the people around the circle widened. People nodded and laughed and felt a clear connection across so many differences.
We see this story play out again and again at The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado. The forces that bring us together are stronger than those that tear us apart. Each day we work to build real relationships across real differences. Through our connections we are changed and we are able to change our communities. Through our relationships we can build a state where all people are welcome and able to live the life they hope for.
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Do you have a SPECIAL PROGRAM which works and can be replicated? Send us a description, (max. 75 words) with your Team Name and Location. It will be reviewed and each month added to the next blog for all to see. Leave a comment below or Contact us – Attention Best Practices
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