What is the basis for our dialogue and encounter? How do we see each other? Join us for a conversation on A Common Word: Perceptions of each other Two Islamic scholars will address these questions: ?Dr Salim Al-Shoumari, Kuwait ?Dr M Adil Salahi, Syria. There will be a response from Steve Chalke MBE, Founder of Oasis Global and Faithworks.

There is a special value in dialogue between those of two different faith traditions. The issues which a particular bilateral dialogue raises are often specific to those two faiths. In these sessions we are looking at the importance of addressing the searching questions which are raised in bilateral dialogue.

Women in Religion” Open forum with presentations from different faiths. Hindu Temple of Greater Charleston.

Water communion* as part of Sunday morning service (Eatin’ Meetin’ covered dish lunch to follow). The Water Communion, also sometimes called Water Ceremony, was first used at a Unitarian Universalist (UU) worship service in the 1980s. Many UU congregations now hold a Water Communion once a year, often at the beginning of the new church year (September). Members bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to them. During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special to them. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. It is often then blessed by the congregation, and sometimes is later boiled and used as the congregation’s “holy water” in child dedication ceremonies and similar events.

Dances of Universal Peace Inspired by various spiritual traditions, these dances help us awaken our awareness of the divine in others and in ourselves. After the dance, we socialize over refreshments.

Interfaith Concert

Introduction to Understanding Islam And Muslims Presentation, open discussion and socialization with light food.

Experience the electric atmosphere when a panel of Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars study their sacred texts together; a practice called ‘Scriptural Reasoning’, then try it out for yourself. Scriptural Reasoning involves people of different religious commitments, usually from Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions, meeting together to read and debate their sacred texts. When people come together in this way, they often develop a deep respect for one another’s traditions of religious learning. Scriptural Reasoning allows for inter-faith conversations that are deep and focused, lively and friendly. It allows participants to tackle difficult issues through the lens of the text, and unlike many other forms of inter-faith dialogue, it is not premised on any need for consensus or similarity. The Cambridge Inter-faith Programme, part of the University's Faculty of Divinity, is dedicated to introducing the practice of Scriptural Reasoning to new audiences. Every term, CIP hosts an ‘Open Scriptural Reasoning’ workshop, where participants can try the practice for themselves, guided by more experienced ‘reasoners’. All texts will be provided in English, and no prior knowledge or experience is required.

Bridges of Faith is commemorating World Interfaith Harmony Week in January and February, 2014 with a series of interfaith events taking place in Abbotsford. It is intended to facilitate the building of new and stronger interfaith relationships, the celebration of our community’s diverse faith traditions, and the fostering of a culture of authentic and respectful interfaith sharing. This tour will explore the spiritual beliefs and practices of Gur Sikh Gurdwara.

Bridges of Faith, the interfaith planning committee of the city of Abbotsford, coordinated one of Canada’s largest interfaith initiatives in commemoration of World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW). Abbotsford has the third most visible minorities in Canada and has many diverse faith groups, but struggles with interfaith tension and isolation of many faith communities. So, Bridges of Faith this year reached out to marginalized groups with fresh and progressive models of inclusivity, and expanded and diversified the group of committed attendees of interfaith events. Bridges of Faith used World Interfaith Harmony Week’s values of love and harmony as the springboard for focussing Abbotsford’s attention on the overarching theme of “gendered and interfaith relationships.” We believe that both similarities and differences can be honoured, and that diverse groups can respectfully and lovingly contribute to the community in their own way. Keeping in mind this view and our aim of engaging marginalized faith groups, Bridges of Faith coordinated three tours of places of worship leading up to the official week, convened a unique large-scale dialogue event, and organized two more social events. Events were a huge success, with 267 diverse participants in all 6 events, and reached hundreds more through extensive publicity. Through World Interfaith Harmony Week activities, residents of Abbotsford from over 21 faith affiliations built new relationships on the values of love, trust, justice, and understanding, and have a renewed energy for deepening future interfaith work.