We live in a global society where faith traditions, religions, spiritualities collide. We need to engage in the space between our faith traditions, so that rather than colliding and fighting, there can be peace. This is what I call the Interfaith Society.
~ JBP+
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL INTERFAITH AWARENESS WEEK
~ 12/01-07/2013 ~
Multifaith events will be scheduled during the week in the Madison area. Information, reports, pictures on past events below.
Hello
In memory of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, I would like to offer you
and your readers of Interfaith Society a message of peace in a short
video and a pledge of tolerance.
If you are able to post or tweet about the video and the pledge, please
let me know. I am here if you have any questions.
Thank you so much,
Elizabeth
--
Elizabeth Potter
Unity Productions Foundation
myfellowamerican.us
facebook.com/MyFellowAmericanProject
@usmuslimstories
World Council of Churches - News
TIME FOR CREATION 2011: TREES AND FORESTS SHALL REJOICE
For immediate release: 31 August 2011
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has joined in a call to observe Thursday
1 September through Tuesday 4 October 2011 as a time for prayer, reflection
and re-dedication regarding care for and just use of God's gifts in nature.
For more than twenty years, increasing numbers of Christians throughout the
world have reserved these dates in September and early October as a time to
give thanks for God's creation and to join in common prayer and action for
the environment.
"A Time for Creation" is a modern addition to the liturgical calendars of
many churches, emphasizing the work of God as Creator. It arose from a
challenge issued by the late Dimitrios I, then the Ecumenical Patriarch of
Constantinople, in proclaiming 1 September 1989 as a day of prayer for the
earth and its ecosystems.
The Orthodox church year traditionally begins in September, so it seems
appropriate to turn worshippers' attention to the opening verse of the
Bible: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The new
liturgical season of Creation has come to extend to 4 October, long
celebrated by Roman Catholics and others as the feast day of Saint Francis
of Assisi.
The year 2011 has been designated as the International Year of Forests, and
the WCC has appealed in particular for prayers and reflections to be offered
on forests and related themes, in the spirit of such scriptural passages as
this prophecy:
"For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and
the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field
shall clap their hands." - Isaiah 55:12
(NRSV)
In its public policy, the WCC has called for commitment to "eco-justice
(Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=a975887eb6d1fcb01839 )" and
has stressed the need for action to overcome such problems as planetary
pollution and other causes of climate change.
In a message (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=37c8191a261154522aa3
) delivered to the UN Climate Change Conference at Copenhagen in December
2009 (COP 15), a high-level ecumenical delegation told the meeting, "The
injustice is that those who are suffering the worst consequences of this
crisis have contributed the least to causing this situation. This is a
matter of justice and a call to moral responsibility. We would like to
underline the importance of legally-binding commitments to addressing this
crisis".
A separate statement (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=db69ae3df8bc41563edd ) on behalf of
the WCC and bodies representing other world religions recognized the
scientific evidence for human causation of climate change, and asserted that
"climate change is not merely an economic or technical problem, but rather
at its core is a moral, spiritual and cultural one."
Time for Creation resources (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=abdfc918916616d0152a )
Time for Creation on Facebook (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=a387c53d84cca520fb3b )
More information on the WCC and eco-justice: www.oikoumene.org/eco-justice
(Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=1361ee91aa13553028f1 )
World Council of Churches - News
END OF RAMADAN CELEBRATIONS HAILED BY WCC GENERAL SECRETARY
For immediate release: 31 August 2011
Christian and Muslims, together with leaders of other world religions,
should cooperate in "rallying people to form alliances for peace and
reconciliation with justice," according to the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit,
general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Tveit sent greetings on the occasion of the Islamic festival of Eid al Fitr
(the end of Ramadan) in a letter to heads of Muslim religious communities
throughout the world. Taking note of July's violence in his native Norway
that has brought Christians and Muslims closer, and the momentous events
that continue to unfold in North Africa and the Middle East, Tveit called
for continuing action toward justice and peace.
Read the full text of the WCC general secretary's letter (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=e33f25e11652d39112bc )
From: pejacobi@aol.com
Dear Friends:
Mark your calendars and come!
Religious leaders from the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee
will offer an invocation, read reflections and recite a Prayer for the
Future as participants in a free Bel Canto Chorus and
Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra concert that commemorates the 10th anniversary
of the 9/11 attacks and honors first responders.
This "United We Stand" outdoor event features a performance of Mozart's
moving Requiem and begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, in Cathedral Square
Park on the city's east side. A live broadcast by Milwaukee Public
Television will be carried statewide. Prelude entertainment starts at 2:15
p.m., so bring a lawn chair or blanket and come early. (If significant rain
is forecast, the event will move into the nearby Cathedral of St. John the
Evangelist, 812 N. Jackson St.)
Prayer Flags
Starting at 2 p.m., Interfaith's Peace & International Issues Committee
will provide 1,000 prayer flags for people to write expressions of peace,
hope, healing and understanding for the victims and their families, the
first responders, members of our armed forces and their families, our
nation, and the countries of the world. Flags will be displayed on lines in
the park and be visible on the television broadcast.
A letter of remembrance and hope by the Interfaith Conference Cabinet
will be printed in the program. We expect to have leaders and
representatives from many faiths and denominations join in the entrance
procession, stand on risers below the front of the stage as a sign of unity
and jointly recite the Prayer for the Future.
Interfaith Speakers
Representatives of several faiths and denominations will be among the
speakers on stage:
Rabbi David B. Cohen of Congregation Sinai will give the invocation.
Reciting brief reflections from their faith traditions will be:
> The Rev. Jamie Washam of Underwood Memorial Baptist
Church,vice-chair of the Interfaith Conference;
> Ahmed Quereshi, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee;
> Hoko Karnegis of the Milwaukee Zen Center;
> Swarnjit S. Arora of the Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin;
> The Rev. Suzelle Lynch of Unitarian Universalist Church West and
Southeast Wisconsin Unitarian Universalist Congregations;
> Frank Berentsen of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Milwaukee Meeting;
> Emily Joy Sielen of the Milwaukee Baha'i Community; and
> Urmila Bharadwaj of the Hindu Temple of Wisconsin.
Prayer for the Future
The Very Rev. Jeff Haines, rector and pastor of the Cathedral of St.
John the Evangelist, will lead religious leaders in a recitation of a Prayer
for the Future immediately before the start of Requiem.
For more details, go to www.belcanto.org or contact the Interfaith
Conference at (414) 276-9050.
About the broadcast, see:
http://www.mptv.org/news/press/release/?n_id=890
Ecumenical News International News Highlights
Jedis and Pastafarians: Real religion or just a joke?
Washington, D.C. (ENInews)--When congregants of West Side Church and
the Christian Life Center in Bend, Oregon, awoke in June to news that
their churches had been vandalized, they expected to be frustrated.
What they
didn't expect was to be confused, Religion News Service reports. In
addition to the anti-Christian slogans scrawled on the walls of the
two buildings, the words "Praise the FSM" were painted everywhere.
After a Google search, they learned "FSM" stood for "Flying Spaghetti
Monster," the noodle-limbed deity of a fictitious religion. While the
vandalism seemed to be an isolated incident, it and other developments
have spurred a discussion among atheists about the usefulness of
so-called "joke" or "invented" religions in the nonreligious movement.
Some are wondering: has the joke gone too far? [865
words, ENI-11-0426]
ENI Online - www.eni.ch
Orthodox Peace Fellowship conference to focus on forgiveness:
UW professor Robert D. Enright, Kim Phuc to be keynote speakers
The North American Conference of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship has chosen
Robert D. Enright Ph.D., professor of educational psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will be a keynote speaker. Enright is a founding member of the International Forgiveness Institute Inc., is the author of four books including “Forgiveness is a Choice.” He has appeared on “20/20” and “NBC Nightly News,” and his work has been featured in TIME, McCall’s Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, and the LA Times.
Some of the other speakers expected at the event:
“‘Forgiveness’ is a topic that has much to do with ‘peace,” says Alexander Patico of the OPF. “Conflict between two individuals or two groups can cease, but often the seeds of future conflict are there, ready to germinate at the first opportunity. Without forgiveness, we achieve only a surface calm, not a reconciliation that is the foundation of true peace.”
Without forgiveness, says Patico, “inner peace remains elusive, as well. There are, however, many different ways to think about forgiveness – what it means and what conditions must exist for it to happen. The conference will explore those different conceptions, so that forgiving might become more feasible for all who take part.”
The event will be held at the
Information will be available about conference costs shortly; the organization plans to offer low-cost options for those with financial challenges or who are coming from greater distances.
Reservations must be received prior to Wednesday, Sept. 14. More information is available by contacting Patico at opfnorthamerica@gmail.com or Rev. Paprock at frjohnbrian@gmal.com or 608.242.4244
The Orthodox Peace Fellowship is an association of Orthodox Christians applying the principles of the Gospel to situations of division and conflict – in the home, the parish, the community, the work place, and within and between nations.
RCC board urges responsible coverage of faith angles in 10th anniversary
A religion communicators group called Aug. 7 for responsible discussion of
faith groups in news coverage of 9/11's 10th anniversary.
The Religion Communicators Council urged journalists and bloggers to "pursue
accuracy, respect and understanding of people of all faiths and faith
communities." The statement was in a resolution adopted in Philadelphia by
the board of governors for the 400-member interfaith council.
The 17-member board called "for responsible discussion of religion and of
all faith groups, seeking the understanding and acceptance of religious
communities."
The anniversary of the 2001 attacks could "bring about painful recollections
of terrorism and its effects," the resolution said.
Rhetoric about the attacks "could become heated and distorted as it
intermingles the religious identity of participants in those heinous acts,"
the measure continued.
The council encourages communicators for faith groups to adhere to the
highest ethical guidelines in presenting religious faith and values in
public discourse.
"We encourage our members to consider having their faith groups adopt
similar resolutions on civil discourse," said Deb K. Christian, council
president. She is management team leader for UMR Communications in Dallas.
About the Religion Communicators Council:
The Religion Communicators Council is an interfaith association of more than
400 religion communicators working in print and electronic communication,
advertising, and public relations. Members represent Baha'i, Christian,
Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faith communities. Founded in 1929, the council is
the oldest public relations professional association in the United States.
Council headquarters is in New York City.
Contact: Shirley Struchen, sstruchen@rcn.com or (212) 870-2402.
Resolution On Civil Discourse During 10th Anniversary of 9/11
WHEREAS, The coming tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on
the USA will bring about painful recollections of terrorism and its effects;
and
WHEREAS, The rhetoric at such times can become heated and distorted as it
intermingles the religious identity of participants in those heinous acts;
and
WHEREAS, The Religion Communicators Council encourages religion
communicators to adhere to the highest ethical guidelines in the
communication of religious faith and values in public discourse and to
foster understanding among faith groups; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Governors of the Religion Communicators Council
calls for responsible discussion of religion and of all faith groups,
seeking the understanding and acceptance of religious communities; and be it
finally
RESOLVED, That the Board urges all who report and record news and register,
edit or publish opinions about faith communities and religious commitments
to adhere to the highest ethical standards of their craft and pursue
accuracy, respect and understanding of people of all faiths and faith
communities.
Adopted August 7, 2011, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
World Council of Churches - News
PEACE CONVOCATION TO INSPIRE PRAYER FOR 21 SEPTEMBER
For immediate release: 11 August 2011
Each year on 21 September the World Council of Churches calls churches
and parishes to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace. This
year the WCC is asking the 1,000 people who attended the International
Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Kingston in May 2011 to offer a prayer for
peace as a follow-up to that important event.
Each of the 1,000 participants, as well as all those who have followed the
events in Jamaica from afar, are being invited to compose a prayer. They
are invited to share it with members and leaders of their church, with
people they met at IEPC and within their networks. The WCC will post all
prayers received on Facebook (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=cc53e4ba96d621b45339 ).
21 September is also the UN-sponsored International Day of Peace.
Observances of the WCC prayer day began as part of the ecumenical Decade
to Overcome Violence (2001-2010).
More information on the International Day of Prayer for Peace:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=9ff4a701336975994d10 (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=01a0c5397da54248fdbf )
More on the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=68975a1d6f4c91b5e639 (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=e14ce8c1b1ce4e9a11ee )
The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness
and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of
churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant,
Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million
Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman
Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit,
from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
From: David A Gabel, ENN
Published August 1, 2011 07:50 AM
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/43012
World Sacred Forests Mapped Out
A team of scientists from the University of Oxford are working on a world
map which shows all the land owned or revered by various world religions.
This "holy map" will display all the sacred sites from Jerusalem's Western
Wall, to Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, to St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
Just as interesting, the map will also show the great forests held sacred
by various religions. Within these protected lands dwell a wide variety of
life and high numbers of threatened species.
The sacred land mapped out by the Oxford researchers is not necessarily
owned by a certain religious community, but rather contains sacred
connotations. They estimate that about fifteen percent of all land on Earth
is "sacred land", and eight percent of all land is owned by a religious
community. Much of the land held sacred is forest.
The Oxford researchers are focused on determining this land's value in
terms of biodiversity. They are from the Biodiversity Institute in the
Oxford Martin School. A lot of the sacred forests managed by the local
community, but receive no formal protection. The researchers hope that
their scientific study will help guarantee official protection from
regional and national governments.
Initially, efforts were only made to map out land controlled by the large
mainstream religious groups. Teaming up with the Alliance of Religions and
Conservation (ARC), the Oxford team decided to investigate religious land
controlled by all groups. The new initiative is in effect, as the team has
already planned visits to areas in India, Ghana, Japan, and elsewhere.
The first step in their research is to delineate where the sacred land is
by investigating where boundary lines. The status of the land and its
borders must be known before a biodiversity assessment can take place. The
researchers will also assess the land's value in carbon dioxide absorption,
its abundance of medicinal plants, as well as the value to the local
people.
According to Dr. Kathy Willis, one of the researchers at Osford's
Biodiversity Institute, "One of the key research themes of the Biodiversity
Institute is conservation beyond protected areas. With the help of emerging
technologies, the Biodiversity Institute researchers are developing tools
that can help evidence-based research."
"We urgently need to map this vast network of religious forests, sacred
sites and other community-conserved areas to understand their role in
biodiversity conservation," added Dr. Shonil Bhagwat, also on the research
team. "Such mapping can also allow the custodian communities, who have
protected these sites for generations, to secure their legal status."
For more information: http://www.biodiversity.ox.ac.uk/
World Council of Churches - News
STATEMENT ON THE 66TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATOMIC BOMBINGS OF HIROSHIMA AND
NAGASAKI
For immediate release: 05 August 2011
Each August 6 and 9 since 1945 there is a profound moment of sorrow and
reason for hope when the world remembers the dropping of atomic bombs on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 66-years-ago during World War II.
This year Rev. Dr Olav Fkyse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council
of Churches, remembers this tragedy as one that can never be repeated.
"For as long as nuclear weapons exist, each year brings us new reasons to
build a world where such a tragedy can never happen again," Tveit said in a
statement released Friday 5 August.
To read the full statement click here (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=cd0a49105127f57f0678 )
The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and
service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches
founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox,
Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in
over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church.
The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran]
Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
This blog is part of
Inroads Ministry
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Madison, Wisconsin 53705