Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program March 2012 Newsletter

Greetings, As this newsletter gets longer and longer I pause to reflect on how far interfaith activity has come in Surrey in the past few years. We have accomplished much, and everyone reading this newsletter can take pride in their participation in the movement towards building peace and understanding in our communities. Yes, even the simple act of reading a newsletter can be a powerful act of peace-buliding! On that theme, I want to introduce you to two other critically important publications in the interfaith movement. In Canada, the monthly publication by Interfaith Unity is the leading source of interfaith activity on a national level. Being aware of what is happening on a national level is an important part of staying on the cutting edge here in Surrey. I encourage you to visit the website and sign up to receive this newsletter if you are interested. In North America, the Interfaith Observer is the leading source of interfaith activity around the continent. A few reads of this comprehensive and well-written publication gives an inspiring perspective of the strength and momentum of the continental interfaith movement. Regardless of whether you are a curious onlooker or big-picture visionary, this newsletter is for you! You can sign up to receive it online. As you read through these newsletters and receive future editions, pay attention to ideas and programs that you think might work here in Surrey. Also, give some thought as to how we might be able to support others involved in interfaith work. Then share your ideas! A warm welcome to anyone receiving this newsletter for the first time.

Upcoming Events
March 4 Community Interfaith Series: Dr. Jagessar Das on Kabir Dr. Jagessar Das is a well known multifaith activist in Surrey. He has appeared on television, presented at numerous conferences, and authored numerous books. He leads worship at the Guru Kabir Centre in Surrey. Come and hear Dr. Das speak about Guru Kabir at the fifth session of the Community Interfaith Series sponsored by the South Fraser Unitarian Congregation. All are welcome. Note: This service starts at 10:00am and takes place at the Guru Kabir Centre (208 - 14770 64th Ave) March 4 March Multifaith Action Social at Northwood United Church Multifaith Socials provide an opportunity for people of all ages and all faiths to get to know their neighbours in a relaxed environment, make new friends and explore areas of collaboration. March's Multifaith Social will take place Sunday, March 4, 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Northwood United Church, located at 8855156 Street, Surrey. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Marcus at admin@multifaithaction.org or 604-321-1302. March 8 Holi Celebration at Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Join the local Hindu community in celebrating and promoting harmony and understanding in our diverse community. Holi is a unique South Asian

celebration of colours that encourages you to forget differences and celebrate our oneness with your neighbours in music, dance, laughter and celebration. The celebration takes place Thursday March 8 at 5:00pm at the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir (8321-140 Street Surrey). Wear old white clothes that you dont mind getting dirty! There will be live music and free food stalls. For more information, contact Vinay Sharma at surreymandir@gmail.com

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 March 10 & 24. 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...

Mid-March Surrey Interfaith Council Dialogue Session The second dialogue session in Surrey Interfaith Council Project will take place in mid March. Please read above 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. 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 9am3pm 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 1 Community Interfaith Series: Harold Rosen on the Bahai Faith Harold Rosen is a well known interfaith educator with the local Bahai Community. Come and hear him speak about the Bahai Faith at the sixth session of the Community Interfaith Series sponsored by the South Fraser Unitarian Congregation. All are welcome. The service starts at 10:30am at the Newton Seniors Centre. See attached poster for details. 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. 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. June 1-5 Interfaith Eco-Theological Symposium

This coming June 1-5, Bethany-Newton United Church is hosting an international symposium to widen and strengthen the world-wide inter-faith community to gain momentum and to provide collaborative leadership as Science, Religion, Public Policy and Business seek to Green communities. The Symposium will engage theology with key ecological concerns from a variety of religious and spiritual perspectives. The theme is Our Sustainable Future and our focus will be on faith-based and scientific approaches to economic and ecological problems and challenges. Visit the website for location and details.

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