july 2008 interfaith connection newsletter, interfaith works

8/8/2019 July 2008 Interfaith Connection Newsletter, Interfaith Works

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July 2008, p. 1

MEDITATION:

THATS NOT CHRISTIAN! IS IT?

Where did meditation begin? Is it the provenance of any singlereligion, or group? Who meditates? Undoubtedly, the answers tothose and many other questions about meditation fill scores ofvolumes in the libraries of the world. A little research shows thatmeditation is a common practice of Christianity, Buddhism, Islam,Jainism, Judaism, Bah, Taoism, Sikhism, and others.

A simple definition of the word is to engage in thought or

contemplation; reflect; devout religious contemplation, orquiescent spiritual introspection. The online source Wikipediaprovides this definition: Meditation is a discipline ofconsciousness, beyond the conditioned, thinking mind, in a state

of relaxation. It often involves turning attention to a single point

of reference. Meditation is recognized as a component of almost

all religions, and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. It is

also practiced outside religious traditions. Different meditative

disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or

psychophysical practices which may emphasize different goals --

from achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater

focus, creativity or self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and

peaceful frame of mind.

A Walking Meditation for Peace will begin at11:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, atMarathon Park (Capitol Lake at 5th Avenue)and proceed to the Capitol Campus. TheCommunity Meditation and Prayer for GlobalPeace will take place noon to noon August 2& 3, at Tivoli Fountain on the CapitolCampus. Whatever your religion or spiritualpractice, Interfaith Works invites you toparticipate in one or both of these upcoming opportunities tomeditate for peace.

INTERFAITH CONNECTION

Published Monthly by Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia WA 98507

(360) 357-7224 * [email protected] * www.interfaith-works.org

Issue No. 2008-07

Interfaith Works promotes interfaith understanding,and serves the community through

charitable, social and educational endeavors.

CHILDREN NEED A HOME

Over the past 4 years, at a cost of about$3000 each year, Interfaith Works has beenable to help dozens of families move fromhomelessness to stable housing, throughthe Nancy Hoff Memorial Housing

Assistance Fund. The fund is used for avariety of needs, most often to pay for renterscreening required by landlords.

Although families may have saved up firstand last months rent and deposits, and mayqualify for state or federal rental assistance,there are no programs that pay for thescreening fees. Whats more, potentialrenters have to pay a separate screeningfee for every home or apartment they applyto rent, even if they are turned down. At$25-$50 per screening fee, a personsresources quickly dwindle.

Thurston County school districts report that

there are over 700 homeless children in ourschool system. In this time of economiccrisis and rising homelessness, the Housing

Assistance Fund is urgently needed bymany homeless families. But the need hasbeen so great that the fund is now depleted.

Will you help? A gift of any amount wouldbe greatly appreciated! Contributions maybe made to Interfaith Works, with adesignation of HAF on the memo line ofyour check.


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July 2008, p. 2

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BIG & SMALL

The 2009 World Sacred Music Festival committee urgently needs volunteers to fill the following roles:1. Event Coordinator: Coordinate the work of the committee & subcommittees2. Food coordinator: Interface with SPSCC culinary staff to arrange for ethnic foods to be served during

the festival

3. Fund/sponsorship volunteer: Seek community sponsors for the festival (IW office willprovide volunteer with background, resources, etc.)

4. Technical coordinator: Manage the technical arrangements for performers5. Ticket coordinator: Coordinate sale & distribution of tickets6. Volunteer coordinator: Help recruit, coordinate & schedule the many festival day volunteers

Please contact the IW office at 357-7224 or [email protected] to volunteer.

The 2008 Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration committee is short of volunteers. We need people whocan come to 2 or 3 one-hour meetings this autumn to help make our 25th annual Interfaith ThanksgivingCelebration the best one yet. Please contact co-chairs Luther Smith & Billy Harris or the IW office at 357-7224 or [email protected].

Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp desperately needs male counselors and acamp nurse for their one-week session August 24-29. Applications are online atwww.soundinterfaithcamp.org or call the IW office at 357-7224.

The Interfaith Works Board of Directors urgently needs a recording secretary. The position of recordingsecretary requires approximately 6-8 hours per month, 10 months of the year. Responsibilities are toattend and record minutes of Board Meetings, 1st Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and of Program CouncilMeetings, 3rd Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., and to submit those minutes, electronically, to the IW office in a timelymanner, and to visit the IW office at least once a year to assure that IW records are properly maintained.

This is not a boring job! IWs Board and Program Council meetings are usually lighthearted and fun, andthe business undertaken is interesting and rewarding. However, the recording secretary is critical to thework of Interfaith Works. The position is one of three legally required of a corporation in Washington State.Please consider volunteering for this important, but relatively easy task! Or perhaps you know someonewith the time and skills whom you could tell about our need. Any interested person may contact the IWoffice at 357-7224 or [email protected]. We will gladly answer all questions.

Interfaith Works staff needs a reader. Thats right, all you have to do is read - and passon to the IW office any information about important events and news of interest to ourmembership that you find in the newsletters of our member organizations. Please contactthe IW office at 357-7224 or [email protected] if you might be willing to help inthis important way.


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July 2008, p. 3

W I S E W O R D S . . .

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandsonabout a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two'wolves' inside us all.

"One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow,regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt,

resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority,and ego.

"The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope,serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute andthen asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one youfeed."

EARTH STEWARDS COME

TOGETHER

The environmental stewardship committees ofSouth Sound invite members and faithcommunities to a collaborative eveningMonday, September 22, 2008, 6:30 9 p.m.,Fireside Room, United Churches of Olympia.This is a joint venture between localenvironmental groups, Interfaith Works andProvidence St. Peter Hospital to sharesuccesses, ideas, initiatives and the future ofthe environment in South Sound. For moreinformation contact: Connie Walker (360-493-7236)

EVERYBODY NEEDS

A BREAK

And your Interfaith Works staff is no

exception. The IW office will be closedfrom July 21 through August 3. Although your input and questions areimportant to us, we would be grateful notto come back to thousands ofmessages. So, please (when possible)phone or email us after August 3.

WOWWIE ZOWWIE!

Thurston County CROP Walk raised over $59,000this year! That is $7000 more than last years total!

Although we were a little disappointed that ouranticipated matching grant did not materialize this

year, our coordinators, donors, and 525 walkersliterally went that extra mile, and the results wereamazing.

Seven local hunger relief agencies will share 25%($14,700) of the total. The other 75% will fund relieffor survivors of recent disastrous flooding in theCentral U.S.; cyclone recovery in Myanmar; cleanwater for villages in Malawi, South

Africa; and much more.

Thank you, Thurston County, foryour generosity!

IW NEWSLETTER

Please let us know if you, someone else, a faithcommunity or another organization would like toreceive a copy of our monthly newsletter, eitherby U.S. mail or by email.

The deadline for the next newsletter is 12 noonon Tuesday, August 12. If you have ideas forarticles, announcements, or other newsletteritems, let us know and send them in. Thanks!

Janice Holz, IW Office Manager, 357-7224


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July 2008, p. 4

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Interfaith Works is pleased to announce some of the activities and events of our members and cooperatingorganizations; IW does not necessarily endorse these events. More details & events at www.interfaith-works.org

July 19Saturday

8:30a.m.- 3 p.m.

Parking Lot Yard Sale All church Outdoor Yard Sale in Upper Parking Lot on Capitol Way. Proceeds tobenefit church projects. The United Churches of Olympia (110 - 11th Ave SE). Contact Debbie

Nickerson at [email protected] for further information.

July 19Saturday 9-3

Free Carwash for Food Donations Help the needy/the homeless by bringing your non-perishable fooddonations to the Mega Foods corner of Trosper & Littlerock Rd, Tumwater. Cash Donations Accepted.Sponsored by City Gates Ministries. For information call 360-705-0291

July 20Sunday

2 - 4 p.m.

Sacred Harp Singing at Mariah Arts Studio (1403 Garfield Ave NW - Garfield & Plymouth, WestOlympia). Denson edition singing. 3rd Sunday most months. Visit pnwshs.org or call Glen Buschmann(360) 352-9009 with any questions.

July 28Monday7 p.m.

Faith Communities Disaster Preparedness Workshop At Evergreen Christian Community (1000 BlackLake Blvd SW, Olympia) For details contact: Bill Terhune, Chaplain, South Bay Fire at (360) 7919701.Sponsored by Thurston County Emergency Management

August 2Saturday9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

GOD THE ARTIST: WE THE CO-CREATORS This retreat will focus on our Potter God, using clay

materials. We will meet at The Priory Spirituality Center and drive to Walter and Renata Siegls claystudio in Shelton. Register by Friday, July 25. Cost: $50 +$5 materials. Call The Priory SpiritualityCenter at 438-2595 or visit www.stplacid.org for details on this and other Priory programs.

August 2Saturday

11:15 a.m.-noon

Walking Meditation for Peace Please join us as we process in silence from Marathon Parkcounter-clockwise along Capitol Lake and up the trail to the Capitol Campus and the TivoliFountain, arriving in time for the opening of the Community Meditation & Prayer for GlobalPeace. For details, contact Dan Ryan at 352-3293.

August 2Saturday noon

- August 3Sunday noon

Community Meditation & Prayer for Global Peace Please join us for part or all of this 24-hoursilent vigil at the Tivoli Fountain on the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia. When wepray and meditate together, we collectively send a message of Peace to our neighbor, to ourcommunity, and around our world. You may bring seating and flashlights, but no signs please.For details or to volunteer, visit www.Interfaith-Works.org or call Dickie Stentz at 455-1500.

August 6Wednesday

1 - 4 p.m.

Building Sustainable Systems Workshop Effective People Skills at Tumwater Timberland Library(7023 New Market St) with Mike Segawa, Certified Effectiveness Institute trainer. Sponsored byTOGETHER! Info/registration: [email protected] or 493-2230, ext.24

August 12Tuesday noon

IW newsletter deadline Deadline for articles, calendar items, and ads for the August IWnewsletter(coming out about August 19).

August 24Sunday6:30 p.m.

PosiPalooza concert at Unity PosiPalooza is the concert tour of Itol Ministries New ThoughtSongwriters Tribute; A recognition of outstanding New Thought songwriters that takes place each yearhonoring the best of the best in New Thought songs. Featured artists are David Roth and Karin Taylor-Good. Tickets are $20. Doors open at 6 p.m., program at 6:30 p.m. at Unity Church of Olympia (1335Fern Street SW). Details at www.unityofolympia.org or 943-5757.

September 16

Tuesday7 - 9 p.m.

IW Program Council meeting at Temple Beth Hatfiloh (new location!) to plan and execute the

programs and projects of Interfaith Works. All interested persons are invited. For details, callInterfaith Works at 357-7224.


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July 2008, p. 5

SUPPORT THE INTERFAITH WORKSUPPORT THE INTERFAITH WORKSUPPORT THE INTERFAITH WORKSUPPORT THE INTERFAITH WORK

We appreciate your one-time gift or monthly contribution, no matter the amount.

I would like to support the programs and activities of Interfaith Works

Amount of Gift:______________ ( ) one-time ( ) monthly _____Please send information about affiliate membership

Name:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________

Phone:___________________ E-mail:_______________________________________________________________

Please include this form and make checks payable to Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia WA 98507.

Your gift to Interfaith Works, a 501(c)3 organization, is deductible as allowed under federal tax law.

IS IW IMPORTANT TO YOU?

There are a number of ways that you can supportthe ongoing work of Interfaith Works. Which one isright for you?

Volunteer with IW. You could be on acommittee, work at an event, help out with theweb site or with office work. See our Volunteerpage online or call the office for ideas.

Use GoodSearch as your online searchengine and GoodShop as the starting point foryour online shopping. Every search earns onecent for IW, and IW will get some money for eachof your onl ine purchases. Vis i twww.goodsearch.com or call the IW office for helpsetting it up.

Pledge to make a monthly contribution of $5or $10 or more. IW will send you envelopes formailing your contributions.

Designate IW as recipient of your StateEmployees Combined Fund contribution.Designate CFD # 316251.

Become an affiliate member of IW. Anyindividual or non-profit organization whosubscribes to IWs purpose is welcome to applyfor membership.

FUNDRAISING MADE EASY

Do you know any state employees? Foolishquestion to ask of a Thurston County resident,isnt it? Well, if you are committed to the missionof Interfaith Works, and you do know a state

employee, will you please share your commitmentwith him or her? Tell about the amazing programsof IW, and how they promote social justice andpeace among neighbors. Then, explain how easyit is to support IW through the Washington StateEmployees Combined Fund Drive (CFD).

Every autumn, state employees have theopportunity to contribute to the charitableorganizations of their choice through the CFD,and Interfaith Works is one of the participatingcharities. Donors may choose to contribute to IWby selecting our CFD number, 0316251. Andevery dollar given to Interfaith Works stays righthere in Thurston County, helping our neighborsand our community.

In past years, IW has received $2500-3000 eachyear from the CFD. Please help spread the wordto the state employees you know. Encouragethem to give locally; support Interfaith Worksthrough the Washington State EmployeesCombined Fund Drive.


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July 2008, p. 6

Interfaith WorksPO Box 1221Olympia WA 98507

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 325

Olympia, Wa 98501

Return service requested

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!

Contact the Interfaith Works office about running a$10 ad. Ads are approximately 3 x 2 and arerun subject to approval and space available.

Payment and ad copy are due by 12 noon on the2nd Tuesday of the month, for publication on or

about the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

[email protected] or 357-7224

TELL US WHEN TO STOP!

We are happy to send our newsletter to anyone who wants it. We also realize that some people who oncewanted our newsletter might later decide that they no longer want to receive it. If you would like to beremoved from our mailing list, please notify us at [email protected] or 357-7224 .

Are you interested in browsing our newsletter, but want to save us the trees, ink, and postage? We wouldbe happy to add you to our email list to receive a notice each month when the newsletter is online, andremove you from the snail-mail list. Just send an email to [email protected] to let us knowthe name on the newsletter that youd like to changed to email. Thanks!

PAID ADS

july 2008 interfaith connection newsletter, interfaith works

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