We are happy to send our newsletter to anyone who wants it. We also realize that some people who once wanted our newsletter might later decide that they no longer want to receive it. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please notify us at 360-357-7224 or InterfaithWorks@comcast.net
(thank you to the Olympia FOR newsletter for modeling this wording!)
The community calendar and bulletin board has its own web page on our site so we can update it between newsletters.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS--REALLY!
When someone from Interfaith Works says, “Happy Holidays” it isn’t just an alternative phrase. This November and December host more than 15 holy days significant to numerous faith traditions. Here is a list of some of them. How many are you familiar with?
SUPPORT OUR MUSIC FESTIVAL
by Rod Davis
The 2008 World Sacred Music Festivalis fast approaching and promises to be a truly delightful, inspiring, and memorable day. It will be held on Saturday, March 8, 11 am to 9 pm, at the Minnaert Center for the Arts on the campus of South Puget Sound Community College. There will be 7 main-stage performances throughout the day and evening, a full line-up of secondary stage performances, and a third room devoted to workshops. Many of the favorites from past Festivals are returning in addition to some exciting groups new this year. Wow!
The Festival committee invites IW member faith communities as well as individuals to support this unique event with donations. Those who donate $350 or more become official sponsors of the Festival. But donations of any size are helpful and appreciated. All sponsors and contributors are acknowledged in the Festival program. Sponsor names and logos are also posted on the Festival website, and will be announced to the audience during the course of the day. Please note that donations to WSMF are completely separate from and in addition to annual member contributions to Interfaith Works.
Checks can be made out to Interfaith Works; please put WSMF on the memo line. They can be mailed directly to: Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia, WA 98507. Any questions regarding sponsorship or donations can be directed to Rod Davis on the Festival planning committee. Rod can be reached at rod@fernhavencenter.org. or
360-754-2201.
NEXT NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER
The deadline for the next newsletter is 12 noon on Tuesday, December 11. If you have ideas for articles, announcements, or other newsletter items, let us know or just email them to us at InterfaithWorks@comcast.net. Thank you!
Also, please let us know if you, someone else, a faith community or another organization would like to receive a copy of our monthly newsletter, either by U.S. mail or by email.
Volunteer to participate in IW programs and events. Check out our volunteer page to see what interests you, then phone the office at 357-7224 to learn how to volunteer.
The Nutcracker, klezmer music, and other holiday classics
RIVER RIDGE JUMPS IN
Although River Ridge Covenant Church is not a member of Interfaith Works, its members have stepped forward to fill a critical gap in Interfaith Works’ homeless shelter program. For a second season, River Ridge members have volunteered their time and their vans to transport homeless guests to and from the Emergency Overflow Shelter, because Intercity Transit does not provide service at the place or time needed.
This winter, plans for one driver contracted to drive IT vans failed at the last minute, precipitating a scramble to arrange transportation. The most immediate need was for November 15-29, to and from a newly participating congregation, which is completely off the bus routes. With only two weeks to prepare,River Ridge Covenant Church volunteered to meet the need.
Ever since local bus routes and schedules were severely cut a few years ago, there have been problems getting homeless guests to the shelter. Of the twelve congregations that host the Emergency Shelter in two-week rotations, three are located where there is inadequate bus service for the shelter, and one has no bus service at all. That poses a real transportation problem for homeless women and families who do not have their own cars.
For two or three years, members of Church of Living Water drove their church van for us when needed. However, in 2005, they ended that program. Since then, with the ever increasing cost of gas, fewer and fewer homeless can afford to drive, and there has been a growing need for alternate transportation each winter. Last year, River Ridge Covenant, Gloria Dei Lutheran, and Good Shepherd Lutheran congregations, and several individual volunteers filled that need. River Ridge volunteers are driving again this winter!
Without drivers and vans, many homeless women and families would be unable to access shelter. Thank you, all you volunteers who share your time and resources in this way!
IS IW IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Just as our personal expenses keep rising, so do the costs of operating the many valuable programs of Interfaith Works. Your financial support can help IW, not only to meet rising costs, but to expand and improve existing programs, and to develop new ones. There are a number of ways that you can support the ongoing work of Interfaith Works. Which one is right for you?
Use GoodSearchas your online search engine. Every search earns one cent for IW.
Pledge to make a monthly contribution of $5 or $10 or more. IW will send you envelopes for mailing your contributions.
Designate IW as recipient of your State Employees Combined Fund contribution. Designate CFD # 316251.
Those of us old enough to remember the 50's and 60's may remember the song "Turn, Turn, Turn," made popular by the Byrds. The lyrics are based on chapter 3 of the Book of Ecclesiastes, a part of the biblical canon known as wisdom literature. The book has traditionally been ascribed to Solomon, the son of King David. Turn, Turn, Turn refers to the idea of repentance, a recurring theme in the Jewish tradition, when individuals are admonished to turn from their ways and return to God.
The book of Ecclesiastes is read in conjunction with the Jewish festival of Sukkot, one of the three pilgrim/harvest festivals ordained in Exodus and again in Deuteronomy, when the children of Israel were commanded to appear before the Lord with offerings. Sukkot is the fall harvest festival sometimes referred to as the Jewish Thanksgiving. Pesach or Passover is the winter harvest festival. The spring harvest of Shavuot (Feast of the Weeks), corresponding to the Christian Pentacost, comes seven weeks after Passover.
"A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven. A time for being born and a time for dying, A time for planting and a time for uprooting the planted …"
Contact the Interfaith Works office about running a $10 ad. Ads are approximately 3"x2" and are run subject to approval and space available. Payment and ad copy are due by 12 noon on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, for publication on or about the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
December 1 (Saturday) 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m. & December 2 (Sunday) 12:45 - 7 p.m. by Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation, at Lacey Community Church (4501 - 19th Ave SE). For details, e-mail glen@olywa.net or phone 491-9093.
Fred LaMotte of Evergreen’s Campus Ministries developed this website of soldiers' writings on faith and the world's religions to give our men and women in Iraq a human face. “I hope that teachers and ministers will use these writings in their classes and ministries.”
The Family Support Center's Homeless Advocacy Manual is now available for download at: homelessadvocacy.wikispaces.com Feel free to download and print, and even personalize the manual for yourself or your agency. Also, the website will contain regular updates with new resources and strategies, etc... so stop by regularly! Contact Phil Owen (360) 259-2005 with questions.
Buddhist Meditation Group
The Thurston Insight Meditation Group holds a regular sitting group at Quaker Meeting Hall (219 B St, Tumwater) on Monday nights, 7-9pm. with teacher Jude Rozhon (see easeandjoy.com). Contact person: Annie Clay, 360-491-8943.
Karma Café meets monthly 6 - 8 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday at the Mud Bay Coffee Meeting Room (1600 Cooper Point Road). This round-table discussion is a casually structured open and non-judgmental environment where everyone can present personal points-of-view on various aspects of life as seen through a Buddhist/Taoist perspective. For more information, call 867-9316 or e-mail Korodo@msn.com.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Health Resources Coordinator wanted
CHOICE Regional Health Network is recruiting for a Health Resources Coordinator, the key position for our in-person work with low-income clients. For details and application, visit www.crhn.org and click on Jobs, or contact Annette Brown at 493-5761.
Wanted: Director of Religious Education
Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation has an opening for a Director or Religious Education. Come lead our program in which in which awareness, tolerance, and personal growth in spirituality are nurtured and developed according to each child’s unique nature. See the Vacancy Announcement and Position Description at: http://olyuu.org/index.html for a full description. Contact Milt Harper at 360/705-3763 for additional information.
