Interfaith Book Groups to Be Organized With help of a grant from the Winston-Salem Foundation, Interfaith Winston-Salem will organize several interfaith book groups this summer. The goal is to have five groups with up to 12 participants each, representing at least three faith traditions.
The Winston-Salem Foundation grant was provided through funds from the D. Elwood Clinard Charitable Trust. Funds will be used to purchase the first book to be read by the groups, “12 Steps to a Compassionate Life” by Karen Armstrong. This book will be offered free to club participants. The second reading will be the book featured in the Forsyth Public Library’s “on the same page” program in September-October, which will have a focus on homelessness. It will be available through the library. Participants will be invited to study and share what their faith traditions say about homelessness and how they should respond to people who are homeless. We hope to involve individuals who currently or formerly were homeless.
If you are interested in receiving more information or participating in the groups, please email your name, address, phone number and faith affiliation (if any) to Jerry McLeese at jmcleese1@yahoo.com.
Work Continues on Compassionate Winston-Salem Leaders of Interfaith Winston-Salem are working with City Council member Dan Besse to determine the most appropriate way to present a concept for Compassionate Winston-Salem to the council. The local effort stems from an international movement to bring compassion to the core of all relationships. Fourteen cities across the globe have adopted the Charter for Compassion http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion, including Louisville, Seattle, Houston and Cincinnati. The movement in Winston-Salem has already attracted more than 20 partner organizations and over 200 individuals who support the charter.
“We believe the time is right for Winston-Salem to come together around the idea that has been at the center of healthy communities since the beginning of civilization,” said Jerry McLeese, chairperson of the board of Interfaith Winston-Salem. “When we show compassion to others and to the world around us we elevate ourselves and everyone and everything that surrounds us. We hope a growing number of people in Winston-Salem will join us in building a Compassionate Winston-Salem.”
Naijla Faizi to Join IF-WS as a Summer Intern Naijla Faizi, a junior at Wake Forest University, will work with Interfaith Winston-Salem as an intern this summer, handling a variety of projects. Ms. Faizi, whose home is in High Point, is majoring in Religion with a concentration in Religion and Public Engagement and a minor in Middle East/South Asia Studies. Her participation is through the Summer Nonprofit Immersion Program sponsored by the Institute for Public Engagement at Wake Forest University.
“Journeys” Breakfast Program: First Sundays Interfaith Winston-Salem‘s “Journeys” breakfast group meets the first Sunday in each month to hear the story of someone’s faith journey. Gatherings are held in a downstairs night club at the Community Arts Café in downtown Winston-Salem at 8-9:30 a.m. On Sunday, May 5, Andrea Parker, a member of the Interfaith Winston-Salem board, will talk about growing up as a pagan in the Bible Belt. Contact Michael Lange at cplummer2@bellsouth.net if you’re interested in attending the May 5 breakfast or being added to the mailing list for future meetings.
“Interfaith Contemplatives” Meets on Third Tuesdays Andrea Parker facilitates these sessions, which include individuals from several traditions. Typically, participants meditate or contemplate for 20 to 30 minutes before a time of discussion and reflection. If you’re interested in the group, contact Drea at dreas.parker@yahoo.com. Meetings are held at the Shepherd’s Center, 1700 Ebert Rd. in Winston-Salem.
March-April Programs Attract Diverse Audiences In addition to the monthly “Journeys” and “Interfaith Contemplatives” meetings, Interfaith Winston-Salem programs in March and April attracted diverse audiences in diverse venues.
More than 70 people participated in the sixth annual Interfaith Youth Tour, co-sponsored by Interfaith Winston-Salem and the city’s Human Relations Commission. The tour was hosted by Father Thomas Guerry at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Rev. Russ May at Trinity Moravian Church and Anthony’s Plot and Imam Khalid Griggs at the Community Mosque. The tour was featured in an article in the Winston-Salem Journal on Monday, April 15 http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/article_1c1ef258-a56e-11e2-9490-0019bb30f31a.html
Approximately 40 individuals took part in a workshop led by Dr. Peter Lichstein on “An Introduction to Buddhist Meditation in the Zen Tradition” March 28 at the Shepherd’s Center. For most of the attendees it was the first experience in meditation. Dr. Lichstein shared thoughts about meditation and led the group in seated and walking meditation.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church hosted a presentation on “Christianity and Indian Culture” by a group from Wake Forest University led by Dr. Michelle Voss Roberts of the School of Divinity. The group, which included students, faculty and others, had visited India for three weeks at the end of 2012 and shared their experiences.
Calendars of Activities, Religious Holidays If you have interfaith events that are open to the public, Interfaith Winston-Salem can help promote them on its website and Facebook pages. You can access the calendar at http://www.if-ws.org/home/interfaith-events-calendar . Submit items for consideration to Jerry McLeese at jmcleese1@yahoo.com. Be sure to provide complete information, including the name and email address of a contact person. Our website also has a calendar of religious holidays from many faith traditions at http://www.if-ws.org/events .
“Founding Friends” Continues to Grow The list of Interfaith Winston-Salem’s “Founding Friends” continues to grow with more than 50 individuals and organizations providing financial or in-kind support. All individuals and organizations that provide assistance before the end of 2013 will be recognized as “Founding Friends.” You can join the friends by sending your tax-deductible contribution to Interfaith Winston-Salem, 1959 N. Peace Haven Rd. #256, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Interfaith Sustainer ($1,000 plus) Sybil and Jerry McLeese
Interfaith Partner ($250-999) Mr. and Mrs. Philip S. Auchincloss Mr. and Mrs. L.M. (Bud) Baker Mr. and Mrs. Art Bloom James A. Collins The Rev. Darby Everhard Knollwood Baptist Church Mrs. Sarah Penry Mr. and Mrs. Lee Strange
Interfaith Friend (Up to $250) Anonymous (2) Ms. Laura Barclay Mr. Lynn Brown Richard Cassidy Centenary United Methodist Church Mr. Dalia Shirley Deane Ms. Lynn W. Dixson Ronald G. Dyer Mr. Sharee Fowler Debbie and Keith Gough Mr. and Mrs. David Harold Dr. Peter Lichstein Kirk McNeill Ms. Marjorie Northup Andrea Parker Mr. Rollin Russell Dr. Robert P. Schwartz St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Ms. Mary Ben Stroupe Ms. Brenda Tuttle Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Of Winston-Salem Wake Forest University Chaplain’s Office Charles F. Wilson Ron Yost Cheryl and John Young
In Honor Of Jerry McLeese Sybil and Jerry McLeese Andrea Parker (2)
Book of Memory Mr. George Marshall Mr. Jerry Petosky
In-Kind Supporters Annoor Islamic Center a/perture cinema Ardmore United Methodist Church Centenary United Methodist Church City of Winston-Salem, Human Relations Commission Community Arts Café The Community Mosque Concentrics Communications, Inc. Green Street United Methodist Church Hindu Temple of the Triad Home Moravian Church Knollwood Baptist Church Masjid al-Mu’minun Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church The Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Strong & Associates, CPA Temple Emanuel, Winston-Salem Wake Forest University Chaplain’s Office |
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