Download pdf - November 2008 Interfaith Connection Newsletter, Interfaith Works

8/8/2019 November 2008 Interfaith Connection Newsletter, Interfaith Works

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November 2008, p. 1

INTERFAITH CONNECTION

Published Monthly by Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia WA 98507(360) 357-7224 * [email protected] * www.interfaith-works.orgIssue No. 2008-11

Interfaith Works promotes interfaith understanding,and serves the community through

charitable, social and educational endeavors.

IW WELCOMES ISLAMIC CENTER The Board of Directors of Interfaith Works is pleased to welcome the Islamic Center of Olympia(Masjid Al-Nur) as our newest member faith community.

The Islamic Center of Olympia is the focus of religious, educational and social activities for theMuslim community in Olympia. During the early 1980s, members of the Cham Muslim communityfrom Cambodia relocated here and established a temporary structure that has served localMuslims well beyond its time and capacity. In the ensuing years, the community has attractedmany Muslims from over twenty-five different ethnicities plus a growing number of converts.

The Cham community donated a 2-acre piece of prime real estate to build a more permanentIslamic Center to serve the communitys needs. That center is currently under construction. It willbe used for religious, educational and social activities for the Muslim community of Olympia andthe surrounding area.

Olympia Muslims have for some time engaged in programs of outreach and relationship-buildingwith a number of other local faith communities, and have recently celebrated the Sacred Seasonof Sukkoth & Shabbat with the Jewish community of Temple Beth Hatfiloh. Leaders and other members of the Islamic Center have participated in a number of Interfaith Works programs aswell. Imam Mohamad Joban, who has since relocated to the Seattle area, took part in severalinterfaith prayer events and the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration. In 2006, children of the mosque sang at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration, and they will do so again onNovember 23, 2008. Other members have been active in the formation and growth of PugetSound Interfaith Youth Camp. And this past summer, Imam Twahiru served as Islamic faith leader at the camp.

Our community is blessed by the diversity and the community-mindedness of the Islamic Center of Olympia. And IW is certainly enriched by their membership and participation.


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November 2008, p. 2

THANKSGIVING CELEBRATIONby Luther Smith

We are having a Celebration! It's our 25th annualInterfaith Thanksgiving Celebration. The theme thisyear is Giving Thanks: A Presentation by Many Faith Traditions . We will hear from a diverse groupof faith representatives in poetry and music, singingand instrumentals, expressing how their faith traditionshows gratitude for the many blessings they receive.The event will be held at the Westminster PresbyterianChurch, 1925 Boulevard Rd SE, in Olympia onSunday, November 23, 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Free-will offerings given at the celebration will beshared by Interfaith Works and GRuB (Garden RaisedBounty). Both organizations bring great benefit to theThurston County area, one by tilling the spiritual soil toexpand our understanding of the diverse peoples andfaiths of our community, the other by tilling the physicalsoil to grow fruits and vegetables for those in need.GRuB grows inspired, self-confident, and community-minded youth through educational and employmentopportunities, helps low-income families to helpthemselves by building raised-bed gardens at their homes, and improves the quality of life and nutrition of low-income seniors throughtherapeutic garden programs.Children are welcome at thisinterfaith celebration.Presentations are short andvaried. Childrens andadult choirs, vocal soloistsas well as instrumentalsoloists, prose and poetry,will all resound together asexpression of our gratitude.

You are invited to bring non-perishable food donations

for the Thurston County Food Bank.So come, bring food if you can, and celebrate together the richness of our blessings!

PEER-TO-PEER EDUCATION COURSEsubmitted by Eleanor van Noppen

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Education Course is a nineweek, two hours per week, course. The topic isrecovery for any person with a serious mentalillness.

The course is designed to offer an opportunityfor growth to ANY individual who experiencesmental illness. Carlene, Eleanor and Katy, ateam of trained mentors or Peer-teachers, willpresent the classes. They are experienced atliving well with mental illness.

NAMIs Peer-to-Peer Education Course isoffered FREE OF CHARGE. Although your mentors are members of Thurston/MasonNAMI, you do not need to be a member of NAMI to take Peer-to-Peer.

WHEN: Every Wednesday from January 21through March 25, 2009. Class will be from1:30-3:30 in the afternoon.

WHERE: In Lacey on the Intercity Transit bus

line #62. It is near Carpenter and Martin Way.FOR INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER: Call360-455-4277, you may leave your name,address and phone number. An application willbe sent to you. Return application to theThurston/Mason NAMI office, address below.This application and a brief telephone intervieware required to take the class. No new studentswill be accepted after the first class. Allinformation is CONFIDENTIAL.

4305 Lacey Blvd, Suite #28, Lacey WA 98503

(360) 493-6021 Helpline (360) 866-0403Website www.namitm.orgemail [email protected]


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November 2008, p. 3

At the Earth Care meeting onSeptember 22, one of the mostpopular topics for discussion wasfood.

Our presenter on the subject was Cy Englert, SouthSound representative for the North West EarthInstitute. He spoke about the key food issuescovered in the Institutes newest discussionprogram: Menu for the Future. These issues tieclosely with both environmental justice and earth

stewardship. With major holidays looming on our calendars, this seems an appropriate topic for thismonths newsletter.

In our small group discussions, we talked about thebroader impact of our food choices, our successesand our challenges. We recognized that eatingnon-organic foods means that farm workers have agreater chance of experiencing chemical hazards intheir workplaces. We recognized that eating foodsthat are out of season or not grown locally meansthat they must travel a long distance, and thus usemore energy resources for their transport (andcontributes more to Global warming) than locallygrown foods. Fresher food is often better for our health, as well. We recognized that experts maynot agree on whether organic foods are healthier for us to eat, but organic foods are definitelyhealthier for the Earth to produce. And werecognized that meat requires much more energyto produce than vegetables, and thus alsocontributes to Global Warming.

Here are the food choices participants identified assupportive of a Healthier Earth:

Read labels to learn where your food comesfrom and what the ingredients are.

Shop for locally grown/raised foods and locallygrown/raised organic foods at your nearestFarmers Market.

Subscribe to a Community Supported Agriculture program pre-pay for a weekly bagof produce from a local organic farm. Eggs,poultry and meat can also be purchased thisway.

Choose more organic foods. Buy food at the local Food Coop. Buy bulk foods. Eat seasonally Buy seasonally and preserve for eating in other

seasons. Eat less meat. Purchase meat that has been grown locally. Have a home organic garden and practice water

conservation. Buy Fair Trade/ Organic/ Shade Grown coffee

for your faith community When feeding the homeless, include organic,

locally grown, fresh food. Serve healthy homemade treats. Reduce waste in your faith community through

recycling, and food composting or a worm bin. Have a Menu for the Future discussion class

in your faith community.

ENHANCING EARTH CARE IN OUR FAITH COMMUNITIES : FOOD

by Leslie Romer


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November 2008, p. 4

Juanita AndersonCherie BerthonJeremy ClarkeAlan CorwinLeslie Edwards-HillSr. Monika EllisBarbara GibsonJeanne Gordner

Wayne GruenGeorge HinkelSteffe JewellTerry KirkpatrickTia Kremer Jeanette LarsonLarry LarsonLorna Linden

Pat LisoskieCarol McKinleyTom McLainPat PerryDan RyanJim Shulruff Luther SmithScott Stevens

Vonnie TallonRoger TanquistConnie Walker Wendy WilsonStacy Winokur

THANKS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - by Kathy Erlandson For a little nonprofit organization, Interfaith Works plays a big role in our community. Together we accomplish a

And as executive director, I want to say Thanks! to everyone who makes it possible.Thanks to the IW Board of Directors for the energy, professionalism, encouragement & dedication they bring:

Richard Miles Kasey Carter Susan Apt Marge Johnson Kathleen Peppard Rich Young

Thanks to our member organizations for their tremendous support through leadership, spiritual guidance, provisiof volunteers, space for meetings and events, and financial contributions:

Thanks to our PC delegates for their dedicated participation in monthly meetings, program committees, & events:

Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who participate in Community Meditation & Prayer for Global Peace, InterfExpressions, Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration, Legislative Chaplains, 'Perspective' column, Study Circles

Interfaith Dialogue, World Sacred Music Festival, Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp, Emergency OverflShelter, Moments of Blessing, Thurston County Crop Walk, Interfaith Connection, Annual Meeting, fundraising, more.

Thanks to the many individuals who also support IW financially. And thanks to our readers, and everyone wcares about this wonderful organization. Together we are doing great things. Happy holidays to you!

All Souls Unitarian Universalist CommunityBah' Assembly of OlympiaBah' Assembly of Thurston Co. EastCenter for Spiritual AwakeningThe Community for Interfaith CelebrationCommunity of ChristCongregation B'nai TorahFirst Christian ChurchFirst Church of Christ, ScientistFirst United Methodist Church of OlympiaFriends Meeting of OlympiaGloria Dei Lutheran ChurchIslamic Center of OlympiaLacey Community ChurchLacey Presbyterian ChurchThe Lutheran Church of The Good ShepherdThe Nalanda InstituteOlympia Unitarian Universalist CongregationSt. Andrew's United Methodist

St. Benedict's Episcopal ChurchSt. Ephrem Orthodox MissionSt. John's Episcopal ChurchSt. Michael Catholic ParishTemple Beth HatfilohTemple Lien HoaTumwater United Methodist ChurchThe United Churches of OlympiaUnity Church of OlympiaWestminster Presbyterian ChurchCROP Walk of Thurston CountyDispute Resolution Center Fern Haven Center Olympia Fellowship of ReconciliationThe Priory Spirituality Center Providence Spiritual Care NetworkSouth Sound Buddhist Peace FellowshipThurston County Ministries in Higher Education


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November 2008, p. 5

SEEKING SACRED ARTInterfaith Works is seeking submissions of sacredartworks for the March 7, 2009, World SacredMusic Festival. This year, art will be displayedfrom March 6 through March 15 in the art gallery atSPSCCs Minnaert Center for the Arts.

Congregations and individuals are invited to submitworks of sacred art in any media or form, to beconsidered for this very special exhibit. These maybe original works submitted by the artist, or other works owned by individuals or congregations.

To submit art for consideration, download theapplication fromwww.olysacredmusic.org Fillout a separate application for each work of art.Deadline for submissions is January 5, 2009. Sendthe completed form either by e-mail [email protected] or by USPS mail to

Interfaith Works, WSMF, PO Box 1221, OlympiaWA 98507.

HOLIDAY SERVICE OFREMEMBRANCE

submitted by Jean Holbrook, Unity of Olympia

The holidays are filled with all kinds of traditionsand activities meant to inspire joyfulcelebration. Theyre filled with singing and

feasting, parties and family gatherings. Its hard tocelebrate, though, if the heart is grieving andweighted with the loss of a loved one, a specialrelationship, a job or even a beloved pet.

Recognizing how difficult it can be to enjoy theholidays with a heavy heart, Unity of Olympialovingly and warmly invites the community toexperience this uplifting service specificallydesigned to support those in grief. Dont missthis unique opportunity to make your holidays morethan you thought they could possibly be.

December 7, 20087 p.m. to 9 p.m.Unity Church of Olympia

1335 Fern Street SW, Olympia360-943-5757

HAVE YOUR CAKE & EAT IT TOO!With prices rising everywhere, do you find yourself torn betweenfamily recreation, gifts, and charitable giving? IW can help you doboth. Buy tickets for yourself and others to the Olympia JazzSenators Holiday Benefit Concert.

Tickets make wonderful gifts. Your purchase would help theenvironment by not using wrapping paper, which wastes valuableresources and clogs the landfill. Youd get to enjoy live music bylocal performers, and you would be supporting Interfaith Works.Voila! Problem solved.

The concert is at 7 p.m. Friday, December 5, at SPSCCs KennethJ. Minnaert Center, and tickets are $20 general, $15 for low-income.

Buy tickets now! Advance tickets are now available at Traditions Fair Trade, and online atwww.buyolympia.com or directly from IW by calling 357-7224.


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November 2008, p. 6

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Interfaith Works is pleased to announce some of the activities and events of our members and cooperatingorganizations; IW does not necessarily endorse these events. More details & events at www.interfaith-works.org

November 18Tuesday7 - 9 p.m.

The IW Program Council meets at Temple Beth Hatfiloh (8th & Washington,downtown Olympia) to plan and execute the programs and projects of InterfaithWorks. (No meeting in December; following meeting January 20.) All interestedpersons are invited. For details, call Interfaith Works at 357-7224.

November 23Sunday

2:30 p.m.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration: Enjoy music and poetry from different faiths,showing how they give thanks; at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1925 BoulevardRd SE, Olympia). See p.2 Thanksgiving Celebration & visit IWs website for more.

December 5Friday

Noon 1 p.m.

Free Concert The Gary Scott and Joe Baque Jazz Duo promise a stellar performance atFirst Christian Church (7th and Franklin). Both Gary and Joe are jazz greats in their ownright. Free coffee and cookies at 11:30 a.m. See p.7 Fridays at the First for details

December 5Friday7 p.m.

The Olympia Jazz Senators perform Duke Ellington's Nutcracker at SPSCC's K. J.Minnaert Center for the Arts as a benefit for Interfaith Works. Come enjoy big band

jazz while supporting IW. Details on p. 5 Have Your Cake & Eat It Too!

December 12Friday

Noon 1 p.m.

Free Concert Brianna Kramer, mezzo-soprano, brings her unmatched artistry to vocalclassics and contemporary selections, at First Christian Church (7th and Franklin). Freecoffee and cookies at 11:30 a.m. See p.7 Fridays at the First for details.

December 13Saturday

9:15a.m.-3p.m.

Lament and Praise in Advent - Explore and practice the prayer of deep faith which cries outto God in distress. Register by December 5. $50. Call The Priory Spirituality Center at 438-2595 or visit www.stplacid.org for details on this and other Priory programs.

December 14Sunday4-6 p.m.

Sacred Harp Singing at Traditions Caf (5th & Water, downtown Olympia). Denson editionsinging. 2nd Sunday most months. Visit http://pnwshs.org/ or call Glen Buschmann (360)352-9009 with any questions.

December 19Friday

Noon 1 p.m.

Free Concert First Christian Church (7th and Franklin, Olympia). Kippy Lou Scott will wowus again in this encore appearance with her enchanting harp and captivating performance.Free coffee and cookies at 11:30 a.m. See p.7 Fridays at the First for details

December 10

Wednesday12 noon

All are welcome to meetings of IW's Earth Stewardship Committee in the library at

First Christian Church (7th & Franklin, Olympia) -- 2nd Wednesday of most months.For details, please contact Leslie Romer at [email protected] or 357-7638.

December 9Tuesday12 noon

IW newsletter deadline Deadline for articles, calendar items, and ads for the December IW newsletter (coming out about December 16).

December 4Thursday

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Washington Association of Churches Annual Dinner & Celebration at Seattle University.For details, see the ad on p. 8, visit www.thewac.org or call Amanda at 206-625-9790.


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November 2008, p. 8

PAID ADS

Interfaith WorksPO Box 1221Olympia WA 98507

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 325

Olympia, Wa 98501

Return service requested

For information about running a $10 ad, contact [email protected] or 357-7224

OLYMPIA CHORAL SOCIETY

FREE CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Light and JoyFri, Sat, December 12-13 at 7:30 PM

Sunday, December 14 at 2 PMNorth Thurston Performing Arts Center

600 Sleater-Kinney Road in Lacey, north of Martin Way

Director: Terry ShawWebsite: www.olympiachoral.org Phone: 360-705-6462

www.shortstaylodgings.com