Everyone is invited to a talk by Trinka Wasik, a Christian Science practitioner, who recently returned from three years in Dubai where she worked to establish and nurture interfaith relations. Trinka writes “This talk will be about some of the broader perspectives, practical challenges and profound successes of my interfaith experience in the Middle East. What I found was a great hope for peace. It is a myth that religious devotion divides us. Instead, I saw how individuals who sincerely practice their faith are united at a level so much deeper than doctrine or creed. And I am convinced it is the ultimate source of peace for all mankind. Living one’s religious convictions, even though it may look very different from our own or our neighbors, doesn’t have to be feared. Worshipping the divine cannot help but bless — in all its infinite forms of expression.” The talk is not a Christian Science lecture, but is sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County and is part of World Interfaith Harmony Week. (Trinka is an Interfaith Council member.) Everyone is invited. The informal potluck is optional. The church does not have a kitchen, so finger food would be best.

“Love Grows: Celebrating Interfaith Unity in Song.” Choirs and musical groups from around our 107 congregations will be offering their talents for the community. There will be a short reception afterwards. If you would like to offer your group for this or future concerts, please contact Rev. Will McGarvey or Loel Bartlett Miller. A free will offering will be received for the work of the Interfaith Council.

The Inter-faith Dialogue: The religious Roots of Social Harmony is organized by the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Religions for Peace – Myanmar, in cooperation with the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy, the Islamic Center of Myanmar, and the Myanmar Institute of Theology/Judson Research Center. The dialogue will include religious leaders, practitioners, senior scholars, educators and persons working at the community level on inter-faith dialogue. Speakers include: - Venerable Sitagu Sayadaw Dr. Ashin Nyanissara - Al Haj U Aye Lwin - Prof. Dr. Saw Hlaing Bwa - Professor Robert A.F. Thurman (Tsongkapa Chair for Buddhist Studies and former head of the Religion Department, Columbia University) - Professor Alfred Stepan (Director, Center for the Study of Democracy, Toleration and Religion at Columbia University, and former Dean, School of International and Public Affairs) - H.E. Andrew Patrick (British Ambassador to Burma) - Virginia E. Murray (Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy/Yangon)

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 runs open events each term, to introduce Scriptural Reasoning to new audiences, and to encourage people to get involved in this transformative inter-faith practice. Come along to our next Open Scriptural Reasoning to discover the practice for yourself. All texts will be provided in English, and no prior knowledge or experience is required.

Our CCs members from the Catholic, Anglican, Prebiterian, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha’ i, Brahma Kumaris, Hare Krishna, Indigenous Cosmovision and Hindu faiths invite friends and relatives to come together offering songs, pieces of their scripture and prayers that inspire peace and harmony towards reconciliation and unity of Venezuelan people today separated by political ideologies.

Interfaith Scotland will be hosting three 'Interfaith Days' in February for S6 pupils at Trinity High School in Cambuslang, St Modan's High School in Stirling and Oban High School. These events would not be possible without the valued assistance of a team of young volunteers who come and speak in each school about what their faith means to them.

Dialogue event for members of Interfaith Scotland, Glasgow.

The next women's interfaith dialogue event exploring 'Values and Visions for Scotland' will take place at the University of Aberdeen Chaplaincy Centre on Thursday 6th March from 2 - 4pm. Women of all faiths and none are welcome to attend

Dance Sessions will be in the morning and evening mainly on the beach in the shade of our canopy. Afternoons will be free for relaxing and enjoying the sea, sun and jungle or enjoying spontaneous offerings by the staff and participants.

ASSALAM ALAIKUM WA RAMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUH SALAM ALAIKUM TO ALL, Almost the whole week (Feb 2 – 8, 2014) of the Interfaith Harmony Celebration, I initiated the following activities believing that this celebration must be delivered first of all to the grassroots for them to understand and imbibe what the purpose of the event is. I have initiated Community Services like distribution of food for the school children from elementary to high school and other people around muslims or non muslims; distributed some medicine to adults; lecture/seminar about safety, health and environment; livelihood program like fashion accessories - for this is their immediate needs for their hijab and abaya daily wear that could also be way of earning even they are at home, muslims or non muslims; celebrated World Hijab Day and launching of Muslim Women’s Islamic Educational and Awareness Counseling Program where in these program, relationship for self and other persons would be interactive in association with other religions and in these manner could start a very harmonious foundation of the purpose of real meaning of Interfaith Harmonious relationships. It will take little time, but there would be much greater success if continually having activities with regards to the relationship between association within the community. In the program launch, it has 6 modules: 1. Includes understanding of FAMILY SYSTEM; 2. GENOGRAM; 3. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT; 4. interactive discussions with regards to the 12 WIVES OF OUR PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); 5. FIVE (5) LANGUAGES OF LOVE and 6. THE FOUR (4) CHOSEN WOMAN IN ISLAM and main goal of which is to have a WOMEN’S COUNSELOR SUPPORT GROUP in each community. In this way, constituents will have a closer relationship and understanding with one another. In view of these programs in mind, I would wish to use the first prize to establish a place for me to be able to continuously give these activities for free, with better facilities and more adequate resources. Sincerely Yours, Dr. Anna Marcelita C. Shakil (SGD.) Email address – [email protected] Mobile # - 0063 9328767552