Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program February 2012 Newsletter

Greetings, World Interfaith Harmony Week just gets underway this week and in the same week weve seen a spike in requests for interfaith speakers like we have never seen before! I wonder if this is just a coincidence? World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platformone week in a yearwhen all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the world what a powerful movement they are. Judging by the rise in recent local interfaith activity, we have a lot to show here in Surrey, BC. World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. It was unanimously adopted by the UN and the first week of February is now observed globally as a World Interfaith Harmony Week. The observance calls for Muslim and Christian communities to engage in dialogue based on two common fundamental religious commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without compromising any of their own religious tenets. The two commandments are at the heart of the three monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible. The World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the two commandments by adding Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbour. This formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths, and those with no faith. As I mentioned above, weve also seen a spike in requests for interfaith speakers this week. The Fraser Health Spiritual Care Program and Surrey Urban Mission have both expressed interest in hosting dialogues in the coming months, and there are a few more events waiting in the wings. If you have ever had an interest in educating others about your faith tradition, now is your chance! If you know anyone else who might be interested in these opportunities, please forward this newsletter to them! If public speaking isnt your thing, why not drop in to one of the upcoming events this weekend at the Kwantlen Multifaith Centre, Children the Heart of the Matter conference, or Community Interfaith Series at the South Fraser Unitarian Congregation. See below for details and enjoy the rest of World Interfaith Harmony Week! A warm welcome to anyone receiving this newsletter for the first time.

Upcoming Events
February 2 Kwantlen Multi-Faith Centre Open House (Surrey Campus) "Learn about our coalition of diverse faith communities for students, faculty and staff. Make a connection with campus and community faith groups. Discover how the Kwantlen Multi-Faith Centre can support your religious and spiritual interests on campus." The event takes place at the Surrey Campus Cedar Building, Conference Centre - Side C, Thursday, February 2, 2012, 11:00am - 2:30pm. February 4, 2012 Workshop at Children the Heart of the Matter Conference

The Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program will be presenting a workshop to early childhood educators at the Children the Heart of the Matter conference in Surrey. Visit the website for more information and to register. February 4, 11, 18 & 25 Introduction to Islam The Islamic Information Center on 3127 Kingsway in Vancouver is hosting an Introduction to Islam course. The course takes place 11:00 a.m. to noon over four Saturdays: February 4, 11, 18 & 25 for a nominal fee of $20. For information and to register please contact (604) 434-7526 or iic@islamicinfocenter.org. See attached poster for details. February 5, 2012 Community Interfaith Series: Mufti Imam Aasim Rashid on Islam Aasim Rashid is the Director of Religion and Islamic Education and Spokesperson on Religious Affairs for the BC Muslim Association. He is an Imam in the local Muslim community, and an articulate speaker about the Islamic religion. All are invited to hear him speak at the fourth service of the Community Interfaith Series at the South Fraser Unitarian Congregation. This service is registered as a United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week event. The service starts at 10:30am at the Newton Seniors Centre. Mid-February Surrey Interfaith Council Dialogue Session The second dialogue session in Surrey Interfaith Council Project will take place in mid February. Please read below for more information on this project and let me know if you are interested in being part of this event. A summary of the first dialogue event in November can be viewed via that link at the bottom of this newsletter.

Opportunities to Connect

Surrey Interfaith Council A range of religious and secular community leaders have embarked on a dialogue process to explore the formation of a Surrey Interfaith Council. The dialogue process will continue on into the spring of 2012, and will define the ultimate mandate and direction of the Council. At his point, participants are gathering under the general vision of creating and maintaining a positive climate for religious diversity in Surrey. The next community dialogue will take place in February 2012. Please let David Dalley know if you are interested in connecting with this project. Early Years Workshops The SNFP offers an educational outreach workshop titled Honouring the Religious and Spiritual Identities of Children in Early Childhood Education. It is 2 to 4 hours long, and is geared towards preschool and early elementary school teachers. The purpose of this workshop is to explore spirituality and religion as important components of the whole child in the education of young children. Please let David Dalley know if you are interested in observing this workshop or training to become a presenter.

Ongoing Events

Community Sweat Lodge and Drum Circle The Cwenengitel Aboriginal Society hosts community sweat lodges and drum circles. The drum circles take place every Thursday evening at 6:30pm, the sweat lodges take place every second Saturday starting at 10:30am. The next sweats are January 14 & 28. There are separate lodges for men and

women. Men must wear shorts, and women must wear a long skirt or gown to the ankles. The events are open to people from all faith traditions. For more information, please contact Wally LaVigne at wally@cwenabso.org or (604) 588-5561 October 2011 June 2012 Interfaith Speakers Series The South Fraser Unitarian Congregation in Surrey is hosting a 1st Sunday Community Interfaith Series that will run from October 2011 to June 2012. Speakers will reflect on the following theme: We live together in diverse communities. As individuals, we draw on our belief systems to guide the ways we think and act. Our belief systems shape how we relate to one another and how we come together as a community. What are some of the core values and practices of your faith tradition? How do they shape and strengthen your faith community? How might the wisdom of your faith tradition help us to live and flourish in our diverse community? We will hear perspectives from the following worldviews: Hinduism, Paganism, Humanism, Islam, Kabir Panth, Sikhism, Christianity and Bahai. For more information, please contact info@sfuc.bc.ca.

Further down the road...

March 2 - Peninsula Homeless to Housing (PH2H)Task Force Meeting The PH2H is an ecumenical and interfaith group that addresses homelessness and housing needs in the South Surrey and White Rock communities. They meet 9:30am on the first Friday of each month at the White Rock Baptist Church at 1657-140th St Surrey. Their most recent newsletter is attached below. For more information, please contact Peter Greenwell at petergreenwell@telus.net. March 8 Fraser Health Interfaith Panel Seeking Speakers Volunteer speakers are needed to participate in an interfaith panel being organized by the Fraser Health Spiritual Care Program on March 8, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Surrey. Participants will be a small group of people training to be spiritual care volunteers in local hospitals. This is an important way to ensure that our health care system is sensitive to the diverse religious and spiritual needs of all in our community. Please forward this invitation around to others in your faith community and let David Dalley know if you or anyone you know is interested in participating in this program. Mid-March - Evening Candlelight Meditation Walks at Fleetwood Labyrinth Labyrinths are found throughout history and in many different cultures and religious traditions. They are used as tools for meditation and prayer; as a means of quieting the mind and enriching the spirit. Weekly evening candlelight meditations will be starting up again in Mid-March at the Labyrinth at Fleetwood Gardens in Surrey. These meditation walks are open to the all, and are a great opportunity for building interfaith connections. Please contact labyrinth@sfuc.bc.ca if you would like to be a part of this program. March 29 - Student Conference on Compassion in Religion with Karen Armstrong KAREN ARMSTRONG, TED Prize Winner 2008, prolific author, and Visiting Scholar at SFU inspired the Charter for Compassion, endorsed by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Iona Pacific Inter-religious Centre at the Vancouver School of Theology is proud to host a post-secondary

student conference on compassion, religion, and society featuring internationally acclaimed scholar Karen Armstrong. The conference includes Karen Armstrongs keynote and summary addresses, stories about compassion from eight different traditions, student-led discussions, and a nutritious lunch. Students can expect an invaluable learning experience and networking opportunity with students and leaders from diverse religious and professional backgrounds. The conference takes place Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 9am-3pm at the Chapel of the Epiphany, Vancouver School of Theology, 6030 Chancellor Blvd, UBC-Main Campus. Post secondary students can register here or contact Aliya Hirji for more information. April 14 10th Annual Early Years Festival The Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program will be hosting and information booth and childrens activity at the 10th Annual Early Years Festival on Saturday, April 14th, 10:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre. This is a great family event! Let David Dalley know if youre interested in helping out. Early May Surrey Urban Mission Interfaith Dialogue Volunteer speakers are needed to participate in an interfaith panel being organized by the Surrey Urban Mission. The Surrey Urban Mission is a nonprofit, faith-based organization that provides a variety of services to people in need. In early May, delegates from Lutheran churches around the province will gather in Surrey, and the organizers are hoping to provide participants with experiences and insights to work more collaboratively with diverse groups in their home towns. Please forward this invitation around to others in your faith community and let David Dalley know if you or anyone you know is interested in participating in this program. May 10-11 Workshop at 2012 Cities Fit for Children Provincial Summit The 3rd Annual Cities Fit for Children Provincial Summit is dedicated to the sustainable development of our cities and urban and rural areas. The event will bring together local, municipal and regional leaders involved in policy decisions and designing and building healthy safe communities for children and families. Come and hear how multifaith networks can play an important role in this process.

Keep in touch...

What to learn more about the Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program? Visit our website, watch our documentary, or look through past editions of this newsletter. Want to stay connected? Sign up to receive this monthly newsletter or join our Facebook group. This newsletter contains links to other events and resources in the community. Unless you are receiving this newsletter directly, some of the links may be disabled. To receive this newsletter directly, sign up at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/surreyneighbouringfaiths/. Our Mission Statement is: The Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program builds community capacity for multifaith learning and dialogue with a focus on children and families. If you have any programming or project ideas that relate to this mission statement, please let me know. We are always open to new ideas! In peace, David Dalley

(604) 502-8661 davidanderin@dalley.ca Comforted by how much we share, were able to delight in our differences. - Raffi, from A Covenant for Honouring Children