What's New Archives
2010
The Gateway to Religious Communities Program has Been Launched!
12 individuals gathered at the First Presbyterian Church for the first Gateway to Religious Communities event! Participants learned about the history of the Presbyterian faith, the historical architecture of the church, and the community's religious traditions. After experiencing a service, participants had a coffee hour with members of the congregation and had the opportunity to ask questions. One participant said, "All the faith, hope, and love brought a tear to my eye."
Learn more and register online for future Gateway to Religious Communities events.
The Interfaith Center is developing a new program offering: Gateway to Religious Communities
Gateway to Religious Communities is a program for individuals to visit diverse religious communities to receive a tour, attend a worship service, and debrief the interfaith experience. Participants will be able to visit one hosting congregation per month. The Interfaith Center is currently looking for religious communities/congregations who are interested in hosting to those of other faiths! If you are interested, contact: Andrea Brooks abrooks@interfaithcenterpa.org or 215-222-1012.
Registration for 2010 Gateway to Religious Communities is now open. Register Online
Empowering Students in a Religiously Diverse World
On November 2 twenty-six interfaith professionals from 11 different colleges, universities, and seminaries in the Philadelphia region gathered at Drexel University. This meeting, coordinated by the Interfaith Center, discussed implementing interfaith programming in a university setting.
The challenges, benefits, and opportunities for collaborations and partnerships were also discussed. If you would like to be a part of this group for future meetings, please contact abrooks@interfaithcenterpa.org.
2009
Youth Learn about Hannuakah at MacDonalds
“Celebrating Hanukkah in a McDonald’s with Muslim and Christian high school students in North Philadelphia must be a first”, says Reconstructionist Rabbinical College student Ari Hendin, who is also an intern with the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia.
Hendin had been asked to lead a brief teaching on the meaning of Hanukkah on Sunday, December 13th, and to light the menorah with the North Philadelphia cohort of the Center’s Walking the Walk program, an interfaith youth service learning program designed to break down barriers between youth from different faith traditions by building relationships and understanding. Read the full article.
Interfaith Center recognized as a 'Bridge-builders Community Honoree'
Walking the Walk was selected as a Bridge Builders Honoree at the National Conference of IFYC, which took place on October 25-27 in Chicago. The Philadelphia 'delegation' at the conference included staff people Marjorie Scharf and Nicole Diroff, Board Member Nancy Fuchs Kreimer, Interns from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Walking the Walk Alumni Zia Islam. Margie and Nicole led a workshop in which they engaged participants in replicable activities and concrete tools and techniques they have found successful in Walking the Walk.
New Adult Learning and Leadership Programs
A new brochure, Encountering Other Faiths, describes the variety
of adult learning and leadership programs now available to community groups and
congregations. Programs are uniquely designed to meet the goals and needs of the requesting groups and can be adapted to meet all budgets.
New Book by Walking the Walk Alumna Parent
The Interfaith Center proudly announces a new book (and some local book signings), "Growing Up Global: Raising Children to Be At Home in the World," recently published by Homa Tavingar, a parent of a Walking the Walk alumna from the Baha'i community.
» View book signing dates and locations
Interfaith Center Board Member Hosts Interfaith Conversations
Board Member Sherri Hauser welcomes two Lebanese experts on Islamic/Christian relations in the Middle East as part of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian's "Interfaith Conversations" Series.
Dr. Mary Mikhael and Dr. Mohammad Sammak will be addressing the topic, "Living Together in the Middle East: Muslim and Christian Challenges, Opportunities, and Implications for Americans."
Parliament of the World's Religions
Interfaith Center staff, Rev. Nicole Diroff, will be attending the Parliament of the World's Religions to be held in Melbourne, Australia from December 3-9, 2009. Key topics for the Parliament include healing the Earth, reconciliation with indigenous peoples, overcoming poverty, sharing wisdom, and building peace in pursuit of justice.
Nicole will be helping to coordinate a gathering of local people hoping to attend the Parliament. Contact her at ndd@interfaithcenterpa.org for more information.
Grant from Philadelphia Foundation
Thanks to a grant received from the Philadelphia Foundations' Wiliam J. McCahan, III Fund,
the Interfaith Center will work with a consultant to strengthen our capacity to develop
sustainable funding for our three core initiatives.
2008-2009 Annual Report Now Available
There seems to be a readiness in our country to truly live into our ideals. There is a force for good that propels our faith communities as we strive for oneness and for wholeness. The Interfaith Center is proud to be one of the new organizations arising to meet the needs of our times.
Understanding Religious Diversity
The Interfaith Center was proud to partner with PECO/Exelon Corporation in offering a program, "Understanding Religious Diversity". Held on April 29, 2009, this program was attended by 300 employees - people from all departments and positions. The event was planned by PECO's Diversity Committee, to further its vision: "Exelon strives to create an employee culture of inclusion, respect and understanding. This forum is intended to contribute to that culture by educating employees abut the fundamental aspects of some major world religions and their intersection in the workplace."
The Interfaith Center is 5 Years Old!
Get to know the vision, mission and work of the Interfaith Center by watching a short film created for our 5th Anniversary Event: “Mosaic of Faith; Vision of Hope”.
Interfaith Center Board Member Kenny Gamble Helps Bring Special Event to Philadelphia
The Wellness of You, Inc. and Universal Companies present the Celebrate Wellness Expo on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The event will feature a resource expo and presentations focused on nurturing the mind, healing the body and liberating the spirit. View event details.
Sunday, April 26: Walking the Walk's Community Day of Service Hosted by Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center
The volunteers poured in, the sun was shining, and everyone who participated in the day of service felt the energy. The 95 volunteers were composed of members from all types of communities and religious affiliations. They began the day by participating in a service project of their choice- the options ranged from clearing trash from a stream to planting a tree to removing invasive plants from the ground.
Besides physically tilling the earth, each volunteer was granted the reward of reflecting upon their day during the myriad of workshops presented at the day's close. There was a sense of cooperation and acceptance which allowed for a day of true beauty and understanding. A special thanks to our co-sponsors: Fairmount Park, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center, and the Arts & Spirituality Center for making this day so special!
Sponsored by the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia in partnership with Fairmount Park, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center and the Arts & Spirituality Center.
Rabbinical Student Intern reflects on her work with ‘Walking the Walk’
Twenty four high school students await instructions in a circle. Some wear kippot, some wear hijab, others are dressed in three-piece suits from church that morning. Their task: to move a soda can from one side of the room to the other. The rules: everyone must be touching the can at all times, and everyone is only allowed to use one finger.
Interfaith Center Hosts Blair Academy Students For a Unique Alternative Spring Break Program
Imagine a world where people from different religious backgrounds come together to create understanding and respect by serving their communities. This is the world the interfaith youth movement is building!
Staff Development in a Religiously Diverse World
Sister Maria Hornung, Coordinator of Interfaith Education for the Interfaith Center, offered a workshop at part of Penn State’s Staff Development Program on May 20th. She described a model for engaging a religiously pluralistic society that has been used by people from the Baha’i, Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, and Universalist faiths.
5th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraising Event
On Tuesday, March 24th more than 300 people gathered to celebrate the Interfaith Center’s 5th Anniversary. The event highlighted the Center’s stories and impact, and was punctuated by Mayor Michael Nutter, who said, “The Interfaith Center is providing important work that is needed in our region.” Watch the Interfaith Center video, ‘Mosaic of Faith; Vision of Hope,’ which had its premier at the event.
Religious Leaders Council Plans Zones For Peace
The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia is planning an inter-religious effort to combat the city’s violence by naming areas around their places of worship as “Zones for Peace.”
‘Growing Hope, Cultivating Change’: Philadelphia Team Attends National Service-Learning Conference
From March 18-21, 2009 Interfaith Center staff member Rev. Nicole Diroff, board member Sr. Judith Kreipe, and youth program leader Iman Qawiyy traveled to Nashville, Tennessee for the 20th Annual National Service-Learning Conference. During their trip they made connections with national interfaith service-learning partners; attended workshops; and imagined new ways for sustaining, growing and deepening the Interfaith Center’s current work.
Seventh Annual Women in Religious Leadership Retreat
The Seventh Annual Women in Religious Leadership Retreat was held on Monday, January 26, 2009 at Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia. Participants joined together in dialogue, prayer, and celebration.