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.
NEXT NEWSLETTER — FEBRUARY
The deadline for the next newsletter is 12 noon on Tuesday, February 12. 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.
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.
There was once a crow who was perishing with thirst and saw a pitcher. Hoping to find water there, he flew to it with delight, but when he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. Then a thought came to him! He took a pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. Then, he got another pebble and dropped that into the pitcher, and another, and another, until at last the water was within his reach and he was able to quench his thirst and save his life. The moral? Little by little does the trick.
Your financial contributions to Interfaith Works, no matter how small, are like those pebbles. Added together, they make it possible for IW to quench the thirst in our community through programs that bring about social change through interfaith understanding and cooperation. Your pebble counts!
INSPIRATION AND ENTERTAINMENT
The 2008 World Sacred Music Festival is going to be a whole day of music, dance, visual arts, storytelling and fun for people of all ages. There will be many performances to enjoy, and a number of workshops at which the audience can learn about specific traditions, and maybe get some hands-on experience! Here are just a few of the featured artists.
Naby Camara is a master griot musician from the West African country of Guinea. He leads his world music group Lagni Sussu with originally composed and arranged dynamic rhythms and songs coming from an over 1,000 year musical balafon tradition. The balafon is one of the oldest instrument traditions of griot musicians from Naby's part of Guinea.
Urvasi performs Odissi Classical Dance from India. The particular tradition of Odissi that they do was danced by maharis or devadasis (temple dancers) in the Temple of Lord Jagannatha in Puri, Orissa, as a temple service. The devadasis were married to the deity. Banned by law, the dance was stopped in the mid-20th century. Today it can be seen only on stage.
Acclaimed local singer LaVon Hardison will sing interfaith songs of praise that are inspired by the black Baptist tradition. Having grown up in the Baptist church, music and worshipping God have always gone together for LaVon. Singing about her spiritual experiences is a natural expression. She has had many opportunities to walk in different faith circles, providing a new language and new eyes to see God in an expanded way. Accompanying LaVon is pianist David Rhys Johnson.
Adzido performs West African traditional dance and drumming in a collective community celebration and devotional experience. Led by Scott and Tiffany Nicolow, the group's pieces are chiefly from Ghana, Togo, and Benin, as taught in the tradition of their teacher CK Ganyo. Scott and Tiffany teach regularly at Fusion Studio in Olympia.
Mevlevi Order of America performs a Zikr presentation created by Jelaleddin Loras, called “Esta’furullah” asking for the forgiveness of God. The Zikr is a chanting and movement practice which is supported by music rooted in ancient Sufi practices of Turkey. It is the Sufi practice of remembrance, refreshing connection with the divine spark of life which lives in all of us. The dance of the Whirling Dervishes is a sacred Sufi prayer in movement. Dancers whirl around their hearts, remembering their connections with the Divine and with all those around them.
Modibo Traore introduces his audience to the melody and rhythm of the bougarabou drum, the voice of the sacred forests of Casamance. Allow yourself to be transported into the sacred forest as Modibo eases seamlessly from one melody to the next and surprises you with subtle variations in rhythms and textures, engaging your spirit in a lively call-response pursuit.
Plan to come to the World Sacred Music Festival, March 8 at the Minnaert Center for the Arts. To see photos of more performers and learn more about the festival, visit the website at www.olysacredmusic.org
BOOK LOVERS CLEAR THE SHELVES!
Work is afoot for next month's return of BOOKS~BROWNIES~BEANS, a huge one-day benefit at Olympia Universalist Unitarian Congregation that offers great bargains on used books, CDs, games and videos. Set for 10 AM - 3PM on Saturday, February 23, the popular annual fundraiser will include a Bistro offering coffee, brownies galore, and a new round of live entertainment this year.
All event proceeds go to Out of the Woods. Originally an overnight shelter, a restructured Out Of the Woods now offers emergency services for families with young children for up to 90 days. With self-sufficiency and dignity the focus, experienced shelter personnel and trained volunteers provide shelter families a home-like environment, and guidance in accessing appropriate services.
For event details or to donate books, visit www.olyuu.org or call Jan Spiller 866-1921
A SPIRITUAL LEGACY
Perhaps you’ve heard a sermon, or read a book or article about ‘leaving a spiritual legacy’; not material things but values, hopes, love, wishes, advice, blessings. It might be a personal journal to leave to our descendants, or maybe just a letter. In some ways the way we live our life is a legacy, or the way we practice our beliefs.
Lately, a group of caring adults have created a spiritual legacy not just for their own families, but for our whole community in generations to come. The real legacy is one of tolerance, respect, understanding and inclusivity, and it is bequeathed through the Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp. In its first two years, nearly one hundred campers from many faith backgrounds have received the bequest and come away with a greater appreciation, respect and even love for people of different religious traditions.
The camp’s creators are hopeful that this inheritance will grow and multiply, making a substantial and lasting contribution to peace and justice in our world. But as you might imagine, its ability to keep on giving will require the continuing efforts and passion of people who share that vision. Do you share that vision? Are you willing to help perpetuate this amazing spiritual legacy?
Volunteers are needed right now to prepare for the 2008 camp. You could serve on the Steering Committee, or help with fundraising, staff recruitment, program development, publicity, or camper registration. Check out the website, www.soundinterfaithcamp.org to learn more about the camp. If you might be willing to help, please phone or email Interfaith Works. Staff will be pleased to answer your questions and help you decide where you can be the most help. Leave a spiritual legacy to the children of Washington State.
GOODSEARCH & GOODSHOP
Interfaith Works just received a check for $22.03 from GoodSearch.com ! That means that a few people are using GoodSearch.com as their search engine, and designating Interfaith Works as their designated cause. Every time someone does that a penny is donated to IW! It is so easy. Instructions are on the Good Search web site, or you can call the IW office and Janice will walk you through setting up Good Search as your default search engine. Would you consider trying it?
Now, there is a way to support IW when you shop online. By going to the GoodSearch website and clicking on the blue box labeled “Who do you shop for?” you can earn money for Interfaith Works when you shop. A growing number of online retailers are contributing a percentage of each sale to the charity of your choice through GoodShop. Too bad we didn’t know before the holiday shopping season.
OUUC’S ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC) welcomes all to their winter/spring program. Visit the OUUC website www.olyuu.org to view descriptions of the classes. Pre-registration is necessary; forms are available on the web site. Printed copies of the program guide and registration form are available at the OUUC office (360) 786-6383.
Classes available: Book Group, Build Your Own Theology, Digital Photography For The Not-Quite-Beginner, The End Of Faith – Part 2, From Waste To Wonderful, Global Gourmet, Hinduism, Learning To Fall, Meditation, Our Heritage Of Heresy, Poems That Give Us Hope, Questions About Unitarian Universalism, The Reawakening Of Hope, The Writings Of Thich Nhat Hanh
PARTITIONS AVAILABLE
Temple Beth Hatfiloh has about fifteen used 5’x5’ partitions available for donation to someone who will be able to use them. They are light blue in color. Measurement and quantity are approximate. Call Cathy Turner at (360) 754-8519.
ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT OTHER FAITHS?
Are you curious to hear what a Buddhist has to say about Buddhism? Or what Bahá'í is all about? Would you like to hear about Jewish holy days from a Jew? Perhaps your congregation, Sunday school class, youth group, or service organization would be interested too!
If you would like to invite a speaker from another faith community, just contact the staff of Interfaith Works and we’ll help you find a speaker. Contact the IW office by phone at (360) 357-7224 or email us at InterfaithWorks@comcast.net
PEACE WALK FOR MLK DAY
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the South Sound Buddhist Peace Fellowship will be conducting a silent peace walk in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. The walk will be around Capitol Lake from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday January 20th. Anyone wishing to walk in silent meditation in support of peace and non-violence is invited to attend. There will be no banners or signs, no chanting and no cheering. Simply people walking in silence for peace, honoring the memory and principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate of 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. nominated Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh for the Prize in 1967. Since that time Thich Nhat Hanh has become one of the most beloved Buddhists teachers in the world. Reverend Nhat Hanh offers a practice of "mindfulness" that is relevant and beneficial for people of all faiths, by helping us resist and transform the aggression and violence of our modern society. The Buddhist Peace Fellowship is an international organization of Engaged Buddhists which aims to employ the wisdom and compassion developed through Buddhist practice and social activism.
The walk will begin at Marathon Park, Rain or shine
For more info about this event call: Miles @ 866-9316
or email: opengatezendo@msn.com
For info about our Buddhist Peace Fellowship group: please visit our website: http://www.ssbpf.org
Volunteer to participate in IW programs and events. Check out our Programs page & Volunteer page to see what interests you, then phone the office at 357-7224 to learn how to volunteer.
