Moments of Blessing reclaim the space where a homicide has occurred with a brief service is designed to support the victim's neighbors, family and friends, and the wider community, helping to bring closure to the traumatic event.
Peace and understanding are important gifts of comfort for those who are very ill, or dying. Interfaith Works offers classes every year or so to teach laypersons how to offer spiritual care and support to those in need. The curriculum is not "religious" and students work with their faith community leaders to apply the skills taught in a way that is consistent with the traditions of their own congregations.
People from every faith tradition and walk of life are concerned about hunger. Interfaith Works co-sponsors the Olympia Crop Walk each May on the first Sunday of the month. The walk raises funds for area hunger relief organizations and to fund projects to fight hunger around the world.
In 2005, we raised $47,240.40. We were #1 in the Northwest and #30 in the nation!
In 2007 we had over 400 walkers, about 50 more than the year before, and raised over $50,000.
In 2008, we had over 500 walkers!
For more information about CROP Walk or what it means to be a recruiter, go to the CROP program page.
Interfaith Works assists the Washington State House and Senate with scheduling of Chaplains to offer the daily opening prayer for legislative sessions.
Faith Community Leaders or Clergy interested in serving as Chaplain during the 2009 session (January - April) should contact Office Manager Janice Holz at 360-357-7224 or InterfaithWorks@comcast.net.
In cooperation with The Olympian, Interfaith Works coordinates writers for the weekly Saturday feature called Perspective. Perspective provides an opportunity for persons to present their faith perspective on current events and a variety of issues.
Persons interested in being scheduled to write for Perspective should contact Office Manager Janice Holz at 360-357-7224 or InterfaithWorks@comcast.net.
Study Circles for Interfaith Dialogue evolved out of our interfaith work as a way for you to get to know your neighbors and understand their spiritual paths, and by so doing better understand your own spiritual journey. Circles meet once a week for 5 sessions. See the Study Circles page for details.
The Emergency Overflow Shelter provides refuge for homeless women and families with children from November through March. The shelter opens its doors when space at other shelters is exhausted. People in need call the Emergency Shelter Network at 528-8999.
Faith communities house the shelter on a rotating basis and it is staffed by volunteer hosts. Other volunteers do laundry, move shelter materials from location to location and provide transportation. The program welcomes volunteers and donations of new twin sheets and pillowcases and washable twin blankets (no comforters please). Please contact the Interfaith Works office for more information, to donate, or to volunteer.
This program, started in 2005, celebrates the sacred through uplifting music of the world. The attendees enjoy music and workshops of many faith traditions.
The next World Sacred Music Festival will March 7, 2009.
Click on a link above to go straight to the program's web page,
or read the program summaries below, then click on the program title to go to the program's web page if interested.
A series of lectures, workshops and interactive programs to explore issues of faith and interfaith, including such topics as prayer, spiritual healing, and sacred healing.
The Gandhi-King Season for Nonviolence, January 30 - April 4, is an annual international 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world.
Interfaith Works encourages faith communities, peace organizations, law enforcement agencies, schools, and other organizations to use this special season to teach nonviolence and seek ways to reduce violence.
The committee meets at 12 noon on the second Wednesday of most months at First Christian Church (7th & Franklin, downtown Olympia). To get more information about the committee, please email LeslieHR AT aol.com [replace AT with @]
Fun, friendships and faith for boys and girls entering 7th, 8th or 9th grade in the fall. This camp offers a safe place for youth of all faith traditions to have fun in a beautiful natural setting, and grow in understanding of each other's worldviews, resulting in greater respect, appreciation, empathy and compassion.
