Utah Cooperation Circle Pursues Diverse Facets of Interfaith Communication
August 22nd, 2006
Notes from a recent interview with Marsha Pilgeram of the Utah URI CC
In their pursuit of breaking down the barriers of interfaith dialogue, Utah (USA) URI CC has engaged itself in a variety of communication building activities:
- The CC has been working with the Department of State, who has had a great deal of dignitaries come through Salt Lake City, primarily Islamic groups. As a model for interfaith cooperation elsewhere, the CC meets with them in order to display how religions are able to work together and bond here in the states.
- Recently, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints put on “big show” and luncheon for all the interfaith groups in the SLC area, roughly 50 people attending.
- Reverend Mpambani and his wife Yolissa from Cape Town South Africa came to visit the U.S. after many from Utah had met with him at the Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona. He came to Utah in order to communicate with others from URI and the Interfaith Roundtable.
Marsha Pilgeram of the Utah (USA) URI CC, who has done postgraduate research in conflict resolution and interfaith work in India, had the pleasure of meeting Father Centurio Olaboro of the Uganda Martyrs Orphan’s Project in Brazil (www.ugandamartyrsorphansproject.org). Marsha went to Uganda to meet with peace and justice committees, interacting with high-ranking catholic clergy and to work in IDP camps.
When Father Centurio came to Utah, he received an award from the Kashi Foundation CC via their River Fund project. They had a fundraiser for $5,000 that went towards a well in order to help the hundreds of orphans who Father Centurio works with. A donation was also made for the Goat Project (a micro-grant) to help women in Uganda, sending computers and technology over through Kashi.
The Fundraiser worked because there was a specific cause to build on.
“People will come forward for a need,” said Marsha Pilegram in regards to the effort of her CC and many like it. “Father Centurio needed a well, the Girl Scouts of America needed a Rabbi. If you have the connection, people are willing to come to you. We need bonding and diversity. Once a need arises, you need to be willing to recognize the need and step out. People are willing to do that if they feel in the heart that this will help.”
Make the connections! Make friendships all over the place and people will come. Invite people into your home. One must establish real personal relationships in order to truly know people. Cards with URI’s name and purpose statement on them are helpful; leave them with everyone you meet. At the same time, be aware of cultural distinctions (i.e. different ways of giving, different perspectives on dancing and singing, dietary restrictions).
For more information about Father Centurio and the River Fund Project please visit:
www.riverfund.org/programs/uganda_orphanage.htm