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 […]
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.
The Orange County Human Relations Commission will shortly be holding their 37th 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.
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?
Eboo Patel of the Interfaith Youth Core talks about helping young people get to know the world, embrace their spiritual side, and live into the possibility of interfaith collaboration on explorefaith.org. Read the interview!
Download the Newsletter (PDF)
Dear Readers,
In reflecting upon the 60th anniversary of Gandhi’s death, which is coming up at the end of January, I thought to include a quote of his as a way to introduce the new format of the North American Regional Update Newsletter (which shall hitherto be referred to on frequent occasion as simply “the Newsletter”), and to announce that his grandson, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Govenor of West Bengal, will be the keynote speaker at the 2008 Global Assembly in Mayapur, India. In searching for an appropriate quotation, I went with my “A plan” whenever doing research. I Googled it.
The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics is newest Cooperation Circle member of the United Religions Initiative in North America. The Institute has been a leader in the Southern California interfaith and intercultural communities for a number of years. We are proud to welcome their strength and diversity into the global URI familiy.