United Religions Initiative North American - Briefings

This CC’s purpose is “to bring people together to build understanding, serve the community, and celebrate diverse faiths and spiritual traditions.” With members from 14 different faiths, San Francisco Interfaith Council strives to actualize harmony among faiths and build community at a local level. This CC is already an influential sponsor and organizer for various […]

Last year we wrote a few times encouraging URI participation in the UNEP billion trees campaign (1, 2). We’re not exactly sure about URI participation, but we do know that the program has been successful — with more than 2 billion trees planted! Thus UNEP is now expanding the program and its goal to 7 billion trees. Read on for more information.

The 2008 - 2011 URI Global Council has been elected. The new trustees for North America are: Susanna McIlwaine (URI Explorers CC), Adelia Sandoval (SARAH CC), and Rebecca Gonzales-Tobias (Raoul Wallenberg Institute CC). Margi Ness shares her congratulations, and thanks to outgoing Trustees, below.

From Audri with the Trail of Dreams: The URI family of Peace Makers is an amazing group. Please join us and become a Peace Partner (A person, organization, business, religious institution, school, and/or organized community of people who believe in and support the purpose of the Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk-A-Long; and who are willing to commit themselves to “WALKING” the talk by being PEACE in action).

The Orange County Human Relations Commission will shortly be holding their 37^th annual awards ceremony, “Honoring outstanding people for their exemplary contributions to human relations in our schools, community and police departments.” SARAH CC-organizer Sande Harte has been recognized in the category of Community Leaders.

In the interest of full transparency and accountability, the North American Regional Coordinator has asked that the 2008 Regional Work Plan be posted on the website: 2008 URI-NA Work Plan. This document guides the goals and budget for regional staff and support during the fiscal year. It was produced through close collaboration of staff, Trustees, and CC leaders.

Margi Coles of the Interfaith Council of Washington, a URI Cooperation Circle based in Seattle, Washington, writes in about an event covered in their local newspaper: Saturday Presentation in Bremerton: ‘We Have a Lot in Common’ Between Islam, Christianity: “This event was sponsored by the KUUF Social Justice Committee and the Interfaith Council of Washington. These are the sorts of events the ICW has been fostering here for a couple years now, and this is the best attended one ever, due to the excellent organization and preparation of KUUF and the Islamic Educational Center of Seattle. This is the kind of event that opens doors to understanding and peace.”

URI North America recently welcomed in a new Cooperation Circle from Sarasota, Florida: The Center for Religious Tolerance. With roots in the quest for peace in the Middle East, the group has built up a strong membership around global-local connections and dialogue. Welcome to the Center fore Religious Tolerance! Read on for more information about our most recent member.

From Paul Chaffee: Greetings and blessings to each of you and your communities!

The Host Committee for NAINConnect 2008 invites your registration for this 20th anniversary gathering of the North American Interfaith Network in San Francisco.

URI staffer Mark Mancao writes: At last, the Global Assembly website is now available at www.globalassembly2008.org! [Read on for info about the Bowes Award grants for CCs as well]

Our theme is “Pilgrims of Peace: Many Paths, One Purpose,” and we are truly making the journey together as pilgrims to a very special place. Throughout the year, our whole URI community will be preparing and building excitement for this important time when representatives from CCs across the globe will meet face-to-face, to learn, share and celebrate together. What does being a pilgrim mean to you?