INTERFAITH OPPORTUNITIES
Intensive Two-Week Seminar At Harvard
Building an Interfaith Community and Leadership Seminar
Now Accepting Applications from Clergy, Lay Leaders, and/or Interfaith Organizers:
The Pluralism Project at Harvard University and Andover Newton Theological Seminary are currently accepting applications from clergy, lay leaders, and/or interfaith organizers for an intensive two-week seminar that will take place June 1-14, 2012 in Greater Boston.
Through master classes, site visits to local religious communities and analyzing case studies developed by the Pluralism Project, seminar participants will explore the intersection of religious and civic life and reflect on their role as religious leaders in the public square. Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Jewish community leaders will introduce participants to their houses of worship and religious practices as we explore some of the challenges and opportunities that interfaith community-building involves.
Applications for clergy, lay leaders, and/or interfaith organizers as well as for incoming, current, or graduating seminarians are available here. A preliminary schedule for the course is also available online.
Interfaith Leadership Training Available
Interfaith Youth Core Institute Comes West
The Interfaith Youth Leaders Initiative comes to the West Coast next month. The Institute will be held June 25-27 at the University of Southern California. Applications are still open as well as scholarship funding.
Click here for more information and application directions.
Become a GenUp Gamechanger Today!
GenUp 2012 Summer Leadership Academy
July 15-22, 2012, Seattle, Washington
Join a network of young changemakers from across North America and the planet to build a generation-wide movement to transform our world.
ABOUT THE TRAINING This training will offer you skills and tools to:
Facilitate the WakeUp – a powerful 2-3 hour interactive, multimedia workshop that ignites young people into inspired action; organize a Thrive Hub – a community organizing model for students and youth to build local models of a thriving, just, sustainable world; develop Thrive Leadership skills & capacities for creating personal, interpersonal, and systemic change
WHO: Young people ages 16-30 interested in bringing innovative social change skills & tools to your community, school, or organization. We recommend you attend this training with 1 or 2 other people from your school or community, if possible.
WHEN: Sunday, July 15, at 5pm until Sunday, July 22 at 12pm
WHERE: The Whidbey Institute (On Whidbey Island near Seattle, Washington)
Learn more and apply at: www.generationwakingup.org/2012summerleadership
TIO to Sponsor Interfaith Communications Internships
Starting this June, The Observer will be sponsoring interfaith social media internships, two at a time for four-month assignments designed to fit with Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters. Applications are due by June 1.
Before applying, spend some time at TIO’s website, www.theinterfaithobserver.org, and see if you are interested in the content. Check out the TIO Team, 99 (and growing) seasoned interfaith activists and young adult leaders, a group you would be working with. You would probably be invited to join the team if you choose to continue contributing to TIO following your internship.
The selection of interns is a competitive process. Evidence of strong commitment to interfaith work is necessary. The applicant's education, skills, experience, enthusiasm, and goals will be criteria for selection. Shortly after the submission deadline, an initial review of the applications will be completed by a review committee. Finalists will be interviewed by phone or video conferencing. Candidates will be notified of the results of the selection process.
Interfaith Internship Position in Toronto
Scarboro Missions is looking for an energetic and committed person to facilitate interfaith activity among young people of various faiths in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Responsibilities:
- to aid in facilitating networking, information-sharing and relationship-building among the youth of various religions in the GTA
- to aid in facilitating world religions and Golden Rule retreats with high school classes
- to participate in the interfaith events & activities of the Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department
Requirements:
- Experience working with youth
- A commitment to interfaith dialogue
- Experience relating to people of other religions
- Respect and appreciation for the diversity of cultures and religions in the GTA
- Ability & willingness to work as a member of a team
- Skills in social media
- Term of work: Sept. 15/12 to Jan. 31/13
- Days per week: 2 (approx.)
- Pay: $275.00 per week
- Closing date for application: May 20/12
- Send resume (or e-resume) to: Paul McKenna Scarboro Missions 2685 Kingston Road
Toronto, ON M1M 1M4 416-261-7135 ext. 296 interfaith@scarboromissions.ca
Religious Diversity Leadership Workshop at Hartford Seminary
"Hartford Seminary is seeking a diverse circle of participants in its RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP, to be held Sunday evening, June 3 through Friday noon, June 8, on the Hartford Seminary campus. Made possible by generous assistance from the Shinnyo-en Foundation, this workshop will combine aspects of 'training the trainers' with instruction about religious diversity and leadership per se. In addition to models and methods of leadership generally, the workshop will address such topics as leading youth in the multifaith context and in interfaith activities, formation of emerging young leaders, meeting the challenge of bullying, theologies and philosophies of religious difference, philosophies and models of dialogue, and multifaith efforts for the common good.
Guest presenters will include Janet Penn (Executive Director, Youth LEAD); Nancy Raines (Hospice Chaplain; formerly chaplain, Massachusetts General Hospital); Rev. Danny Fisher (Director, Buddhist Chaplaincy Program, University of the West); Joshua Stanton (founding editor, The Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue); and members of the Hartford Seminary faculty.
Building an Interfaith Community and Leadership Seminar
A Seminar Offered Jointly by Andover Newton Theological School and The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
June 1-14, 2012
The Pluralism Project at Harvard University and Andover Newton Theological School are pleased to announce that they are currently accepting applications for an intensive two-week seminar that will take place June 1-14, 2012 in Greater Boston. Through master classes, site visits to local religious communities and analyzing case studies developed by the Pluralism Project, seminar participants will explore the intersection of religious and civic life and reflect on their role as religious leaders in the public square. Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Jewish community leaders will introduce participants to their houses of worship and religious practices as we explore some of the challenges and opportunities that interfaith community-building involves.
The seminar is primarily intended for seminarians and divinity school students; a select group of lay leaders within religious, atheist/secular/humanist, and/or interfaith organizations are also sought for participation in this seminar. …
Interreligious Summer School for Seminarians and Theology Students
The Elijah Interfaith Institute, in partnership with Auburn Seminary and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, and with support from the Henry Luce Foundation, will conduct a two week interreligious summer school session on the topic of "Religious Leadership - A Multi Religious Perspective" in New York City from June 11-22, 2012. The summer school will bring together Jewish and Christian seminarians (and future religious leaders and scholars from other traditions as well) in an intensive study and dialogue program. The program includes lectures, text study, dialogue and a variety of activities outside the classroom. The program is tuition-free, and students must commit to the entire program.
The program will take place on the campuses of Auburn and Union Theological Seminaries in Manhattan. …
It will use the lens of religious leadership as a means of presenting and exploring the particularities of several religious traditions, Abrahamic and Eastern. …
…This interreligious summer school is designed for Jewish and Christian seminarians and advanced theological students. The program is offered free of charge. …
To apply, please send a 1-2 page statement detailing your previous experience and interest in interreligious dialogue and how you might benefit from this program to Alon Goshen Gottstein at gogo@elijah-interfaith.org.
For Information contact: Rabbi Justus N. Baird, Director, Center for Multifaith Education Auburn Theological Seminary, NY O: 212-662-4315 M: 609-605-2201
E: jbaird@auburnseminary.org
http://www.auburnseminary.org
Students of All Faiths and Traditions Are Taking Action Together and Changing The World.
Interfaith Leadership Institutes (ILIs) are coming to Chicago and Philadelphia this summer.
ILIs are four-day intensive workshops that equip college students and their faculty and staff allies to be movement builders for interfaith action. Attendees learn valuable skills and gain resources to transform their campuses.
Better Together 2012 is bigger and better than ever, mobilizing college students to voice their values, engage with others, and act together to make the world a better place for everyone.
Delegations from across the country are applying now to join us for the next ILIs at: DePaul University, Chicago, IL - June 18th to 21st
Or University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA - July 16th to 19th
Make sure you check out the Summer 2012 ILIs on Facebook
Job Opportunity
Young Adult Interfaith Leader Sought in Houston
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
Job Description: Interfaith Relations Youth Program Coordinator
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston brings people of diverse faiths together for dialogue, collaboration and service. We are Houston’s largest interfaith organization. We provide important community services including Meals on Wheels, Refugee Services, and Disaster Services. We also have a dynamic and engaged Interfaith Relations department that brings people from all faiths and backgrounds together for education, dialogue, and community service…
Interfaith Ministries seeks a Youth Program Coordinator who is a passionate, energetic, experienced, and dedicated professional excited to expand our successful youth program. The qualified candidate will have the following skills: ability to galvanize youth participation in interfaith events, and experience developing middle school and high school curriculum, the ability to cast a large vision for the program, and also successfully manage it with excellence and attention to detail. We seek the Passion of a Dorothy, the Wisdom of the Scarecrow, the Courage of the Lion, and the Loving-kindness of the Tin Man rolled into a consummate professional who can balance budgets, sell the vision, and leap tall buildings in a single bound…
Salary range is $40,000 - $45,000 annually. Hope to place by June.
Engaged Spirituality for the 21st Century
Awakened World 2012
Join us on An Expedition into Spiritual Citizenship Rome- Florence October 13-21, 2012
At Awakened World 2012, you will:
...work personally with global leaders from all faiths and cultures
...explore the evolution of religion and spirituality in the 21st century
...set the stage for the next decades of evolutionary activism
...ground our shared vision by developing a plan of action
The purpose of "Awakened World 2012" is an ambitious one: to call attention to shifting paradigms in our world today- including concern for human rights and the environment - and help facilitate the religious and spiritual healing of the world. Men and women representing a diverse array of the world’s wisdom traditions and cultures will meet to explore the evolution of religion and spirituality in the 21st century. The gathering will model the harmony of the world’s great religious and spiritual communities – their common ground and the differences that make them unique.
Programs in Canada for Peace Builders
Welcome to the 2012 Canadian School of Peacebuilding
Each year Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CSOP), an institute of Canadian Mennonite University, invites the peacebuilders of the world to gather in Winnipeg, Canada, for a selection of 5-day courses in June. Register today for courses on professional & personal development or for academic credit.
We've been preparing for the six great courses that we are offering June 18 - 22 and 25 - 29, 2012. We are delighted to again be able to offer courses taught by expert and engaging instructors who are leaders in their field: Ovide Mercredi, Karen Ridd, Stuart Clark, Sophia Murphy, Barry Stuart, Ivo Markovic, Ouyporn Khuankaew and Anna Snyder. Check out our website for more information and to apply.
We offer courses from local, national and international peacebuilders, to serve practitioners, professionals, activists, students, non-governmental organizations and faith-based groups. Consider learning with this international network in various approaches to peacebuilding, justice, reconciliation, conflict resolution and development – or join our email network today.
Intensive Interfaith Leadership Training for Youth
Apply to be Counselor-Fellow for Face to Face / Faith to Faith
Face to Face | Faith to Faith is an international, interfaith, intensive leadership training ground run by Auburn Seminary in NY for teens from Israel, Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the United States. The yearlong program includes a summer intensive in Holmes, NY, which is run by a unique group of counselor-fellows.
Over 25 days in late June and early July, counselor-fellows (ages 19-35) train together and then lead a two week program to enhance participants’ knowledge and understanding of their own faith traditions; nurture an advanced understanding of other religions, cultures and people; inform participants about the call of religious teachings to engage in public and world issues; and increase participants’ ability to collaborate across lines of religion, culture, class and ethnicity to make a better world.
Face to Face | Faith to Faith trains and equips these developing leaders with the concrete skill-sets — including media, campaign-building, dialogue facilitation, and fundraising — to effect positive change in their communities. Today there are over 500 Face to Face / Faith to Faith alumni around the world. Join them!
Apply online: www.auburnseminary.org/facetoface
Making the Study of Scripture More Public And Available
Studying Sacred Texts Online to Encounter Another View of God
by Matthew L. Skinner, Council for a Parliament of World Religions Blog
Research consistently shows that people—and I’m thinking primarily of those in my home country of the United States—know alarming little about the basic contours of the world’s religions.
Runaway ignorance about the foundational tenets or central writings of religions, whether of other religions or even one’s own, threatens to undermine the prospects for constructive inter-religious dialogue and cooperation. But a corollary ignorance should generate as much concern. Consider how widespread is misunderstanding of or unfamiliarity with the ways that religious beliefs and texts are interpreted or put into practice.
People of faith can promote religious literacy and better acquaint our neighbors (and ourselves) with our beliefs; but to do so without showing them how our faith is meaningfully lived out, how it helps us makes sense of our lives and our world, accomplishes little. Worse, it risks reducing the notion of “religion” to a list of definable assertions or a set of historical processes. [READ MORE…]
Guide for Interfaith Collaboration on Climate Change
“Action and Advocacy for Climate Change: A Resource Guide for Religious Communities”
Religions for Peace is proud to introduce a new resource guide: “Action and Advocacy for Climate Change: A Resource Guide for Religious Communities”. The purpose of the guide is to facilitate multi-religious cooperation for climate change action. It is intended for religious leaders and communities, prayer and study groups; women’s, men’s and youth groups; faith-based organizations; service providers; religious institutions and individuals.
It contains information on how to advocate for climate change action, as well as ideas for local conversation and examples of faith communities already responding to climate change.
The Teenage Identity Diversity Education (TIDE) Conference
Tide Conference: A Wave Of Change
May 27-29, 2012, Memorial Day Weekend Northeastern University, Boston, MA
The Teenage Identity Diversity Education (TIDE) Conference is organized and led by teens who hope to spread pluralism, increase the impact of teenage voices, and have their presence felt as a positive force in the global community.
The goals of TIDE are to train teens to communicate respectfully and use their skills in discussions about highly charged issues; develop leadership and facilitation skills; and foster bonds and lasting friendships among the youth in attendance.
Conference attendees will participate in workshops, dialogues, and other activities throughout the weekend that allow them to discover more about themselves and their own understanding of personal identity; learn about the beliefs and identities of others; and make their voices heard. The TIDE conference has been selected as a Post-Parliament Event by the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR), an event that cultivates harmony among the world’s spiritual and religious communities to achieve a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. [For Details…]
M.A. In Interreligious Studies Appropriate For A Variety Of Career Tracks
Graduate Theological Union
Interreligious Studies
The purpose of the M.A. area in Interreligious Studies is to foster the study of multiple religious traditions, their practitioners, and their expressions in different cultural contexts. Students in this area may focus their study in fields within both theological studies and religious studies. Topics of focus and methodologies might include historical and contemporary relations between religious traditions, comparative theology, comparative religion, interreligious dialogue, and interreligious pastoral practices.
An M.A. in Interreligious Studies is appropriate preparation for a variety of career tracks. Some students will want to develop a foundation for doctoral work in a related field. Others may pursue a program of study such as the concurrent M.Div./M.A. option in order to prepare for some form of interreligious ministry. Other students will prepare for secondary school teaching or work with non-profit and non-governmental organizations.
Interfaith Dialogue in Nigeria: Free Video Offer to Qualified Requests
Muslims & Christians Creating Their Future
This hopeful documentary gives voices and faces to 200 courageous Muslims and Christians – diverse young women and men – who unite successfully in Jos, central Nigeria.
Refusing to be enemies, they are together during days and evenings of the 2010 International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Communication.
Together they realize that "an enemy is one whose story we have not heard," while listening-to-learn and thus dignifying themselves and the "others."
Face to face and in small circles, they begin with ice-breakers and continue in depth to discover one another's equal humanity – fear, grief, needs, hopes, and concrete plans for a shared future.
These determined young Nigerians illustrate how others worldwide can successfully connect and communicate to create authentic community.
Copies of this important documentary are being offer free of charge to qualified organizations and individuals. This is part of a project of the
Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group of San Mateo County.
MULTIFAITH CALENDAR 2012: HEART AND SOUL
The Multifaith Action Society is pleased to present the new 2012 MultifaithCalendar - Heart and Soul. Available in both printed and electronic versions, the MFC is the leading source of complete and accurate dates, times, and descriptions for 370 + observances and events (including over 180 religious and cultural occasions from 14 world religions). In the US, the calendar can be ordered from Interfaith Marketplace orders@interfaithmarketplace.com
Toll free: 1.877.525-8883 www.interfaithmarketplace.com
Psychological And Spiritual Approaches In Reconciling Conflicts
Abrahamic Family Reunion Project
www.abrahamicfamilyreunion.org
"The Abrahamic Family Reunion (AFR) project offers ways to use psychological and spiritual approaches in reconciling conflicts among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, in the United States. AFR emphasizes our shared values of compassion and justice, explores positive historical precedents, and acknowledges collective traumas. By providing resources for organizations in its network, AFR seeks to enhance the possibility of contrition and reconciliation among civil and religious representatives of the three Abrahamic traditions. AFR is a network of organizations bound together by the notion that all peoples seek and deserve dignity."
Sign up for the AFR newsletter, to receive current articles and information about Abrahamic issues.
The Trees Were Our First Teachers
Teachings Of The Tree People: The work of Bruce Miller
- Video by Katie Jennings and New Curriculum Materials by Wood's Media for Education Curriculum Guides
“Nationally acclaimed artist and Skokomish tribal leader Gerald Bruce Miller spoke of the sacred teachings of the natural world to anyone who would listen. This gentle and generous film is the parting gift of a great teacher, artist, and orator.
Official Selection: National Geographic All Roads Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary Nominee: American Indian Film Festival
"Well researched and superbly produced, this documentary is truly successful in sharing native reality and environmental knowledge with many people." -Donald L. Fixico, Distinguished Foundation Professor of History, Arizona State University [Read more ...]
100 Best Spiritual Books of the 20th Century
Harper SanFrancisco, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, compiled a list of the 100 best spiritual books of the 20th Century. The list, which boasts titles from over fifty different publishers, contains many books that will be familiar to collectors and dealers, including items quite valuable in their early editions. The list is arranged in alphabetical order by author and includes a special top 10 section of the most frequently nominated (nominations came from a wide variety of spiritual writers, editors, and scholars) and most important titles.
Presented by AbeBooks.com – CLICK TO VIEW THE 100 BOOKS
Free of Charge Searchable Catalogue of Meditation
IONS Announces Largest Meditation Bibliography
IONS has just released the largest, most comprehensive, and up-to-date meditation bibliography in the world. With growing scientific evidence of meditation's benefits for a wide range of health issues, this valuable online resource could not have come at a better time. Designed primarily for health professionals, practitioners, and advocates, this database is also easy enough to use for anyone who wants more information on this ancient tool for bringing higher levels of wellness to their work, their families, and their communities.
Building on The Physical and Psychological Effects of Meditation: A Review of Contemporary Research, compiled and edited by Esalen cofounder Michael Murphy in collaboration with Steven Donovan and with a historically rich introduction by Eugene Taylor (2nd ed. published by IONS in 1999), this searchable catalogue (funded by grants and donations) features new citations, abstracts, and, when available, full-text articles from a wide range of sources—all free of charge! Next April IONS is co-sponsoring the Mind and Life Institute's International Symposia for Contemplative Studies. See the Partners section at the end of this newsletter for information. [Read more ...]
Honoring Diverse Beliefs In Our Communities: A Children Centered Toolkit
“From Atheism to Zoroastrianism, people draw on different belief systems to guide the ways they think and act. How can we respond to this important element of diversity in our communities? What are the risks involved? What do we stand to gain?
“Honoring Diverse Beliefs in Our Communities: A Children Centered Toolkit” is a documentary project that adopts a child-centered approach to responding to diverse beliefs in community. The Toolkit outlines a multi-format workshop designed to engage participants in active learning
and dialogue.
The project is a partnership between the Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program, Himar Productions, and DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. It was made possible with funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
The documentary can be viewed online at: http://vimeo.com/22148547. For more information and to receive a PDF copy of the Toolkit, please contact David Dalley, Production Coordinator at davidanderin@dalley.ca or (604) 502-8661.”
Religious Worlds of New York: Teaching the Everyday Life of American Religious Diversity
New educational program
The Interfaith Center of New York and Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York are pleased to announce a new educational program.
In July of 2012, they will host a three-week summer institute for secondary school teachers, entitled Religious Worlds of New York: Teaching the Everyday Life of American Religious Diversity.
For more information contact Dr. Henry Goldschmidt at the Interfaith Center of New York, at hgoldschmidt@interfaithcenter.org or 212.870.3514.