october 2008 interfaith connection newsletter, interfaith works

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

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October 2008, p. 1

INTERFAITH CONNECTION

Published Monthly by Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia WA 98507(360) 357-7224 * [email protected] * www.interfaith-works.orgIssue No. 2008-10

Interfaith Works promotes interfaith understanding,and serves the community through

charitable, social and educational endeavors.

MANY WAYS TO HELP THE HOMELESS

Interfaith Works began sheltering the homeless of Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater in 1990, with creation of theEmergency Overflow Shelter, which shelters more than one hundred individuals (single women & familieswith children) each winter. Since that time the number of participating congregations has grown from oneto eighteen, with about 300 volunteers participating each year. But of course, the number of homelessneeding services has also grown, and outgrown the services available in our community.

Now, Thurston County is home to hundreds of homeless people: men, women and children. We have ourfirst tent city, Camp Quixote -- full. Salvation Army is always full. Bread and Roses, Out of the Woods,and Drexel House are also full with waiting lists growing. And families whose only homes are their cars orRVs need a place to park legally overnight.

In response to these conditions and the growing need for services, Phil Owen, Outreach Coordinator of theFamily Support Center, is spearheading an effort called Close the Gap, to end local street homelessness.

As part of this effort, Phil has developed a list of ways that individuals and groups can volunteer to help.

Would you like to do more to help homeless families? Here are some options.

Be a tent host volunteer at Camp Quixote: Minimum 2 three-hour shifts a month, flexible schedule. Be an overnight host at a church/temple shelter: Minimum 1 overnight shift, any day of the week. Homeless outreach at Family Support Center: Help homeless and at-risk families to connect with

needed services. Minimum 2.5 hours a week; flexible schedule Shelter Screening/Resource Referral: Work one-on-one with homeless families to identify and

provide referrals for shelter openings. Minimum 2.5 hours a week; weekday afternoons Donate money to support one of these efforts. Any amount appreciated! Encourage your congregation to host Camp Quixote, or one or two RVs for up to 90 days

Training is provided for each of these different volunteer positions. Will you help? Tolearn more, about these and other opportunities, or to volunteer for any of thesepositions, contact Phil Owen at 360-754-9297 x200. You can make a real difference inthe lives of hurting people!


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October 2008, p. 2

IW NEWSLETTERPlease let us know if you, someone else, a faithcommunity or another organization would like toreceive a copy of our monthly newsletter, either byU.S. mail or by email.

The deadline for the next newsletter is 12 noon onTuesday, November 11. If you have ideas forarticles, announcements, or other newsletter

items, let us know and send them in. Thanks!

Janice Holz, IW Office Manager, 357-7224

Artbeat of the Spirit is the title of the 5th

annualWorld Sacred Music Festival, scheduled for March7, 2009. Once again, this will be an all-day festivalwith three stages, an art gallery, a marketplace andethnic foods. The festival committee is workingfrantically to make this the biggest, best, mostdiverse and successful of our festivals to date.

Artistic Director Scott Stevens has receivednumerous applications of performers from all overthe world, and is now selecting and scheduling thosewho will perform or present workshops. CheriHowe, chair of the marketplace, is recruiting

merchants and exhibiters like crazy. ChairmanSusan Apt has her hands full overseeing all thevarious aspects of planning. Rich Young has beenbusy preparing grant applications. Artist Lynn Ruthis preparing to receive submissions of visual art forthe gallery. And it looks like well have an eventcoordinator in place before the next issue of thisnewsletter.

Can you imagine how much work it is to prepare andpresent such a huge event? It could beoverwhelming if there werent lots of volunteers,

each doing a small piece. Would you be willing todo one small piece, or more? Here are the

volunteer opportunities available; one may be justright for you. If so, please phone the office, 357-7224.

Volunteers needed (2-4 hour shifts):

graphic artist to design poster & program guide poster & flier distributors ticket sellers/takers stage hands sales clerks MCs hosts for hospitality room ushers

Coordinators needed:

Food coordinator: Interface with SPSCC culinarystaff to arrange for ethnic foods to be servedduring the festival (about 8-10 hours total)

Fund/sponsorship volunteer: Seek communitysponsors for the festival (IW office will providevolunteer with background, resources, etc.)

Ticket/admissions coordinator: Coordinate sale,distribution & taking of tickets

Volunteer coordinator: Help recruit, coordinate &schedule festival-day volunteers

ARTBEAT OF THE SPIRIT

ARE YOU BLESSED?How do you express thankfulness? Through

prayer, song, dance, meditation, giving?

How do Bah's, Muslims, Christian Scientists,Unitarian-Universalists, Buddhists, Protestants,Jews, Catholics give thanks? Want to know?

COME TO THE INTERFAITH THANKSGIVINGCELEBRATION

at Westminster Presbyterian Church2:30 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 23

and be blessed!


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October 2008, p. 3

Over the last decade many faith communities haverecognized that Earth Care is part of their ministry.The reasons range from seeing care for Godscreation as a moral imperative, to identifying earthstewardship as carrying out a relationship ofrespect for the interdependent web of life, of whichhumans are a part.

This summer, members of several localcongregations came together to share their ideason how we could contribute to the efforts of all local

faith communities working on earth care. Werecognize that faith communities have a variety ofinterests. Some focus on improving theirorganizations facility management, while othersare providing conservation assistance or educationto their members, and others may be working toaddress environmental justice issues in the largercommunity.

The planning group identified four issue areas thatwe thought local faith communities would want toaddress in their Earth Care efforts: Food, Water,Energy, and Teaching our Children. We also

thought it important that faith communities haveopportunities to share what we have learnedthrough our experiences.

With the sponsorship of Interfaith Works, weorganized an evening event at United Churches onSeptember 22. With about two dozen peopleattending, we had informal presentations on ourfour key issues followed by lively small groupdiscussions.

Sister Mimi Maloney and the Rev. Carol McKinleyopened the evening with a dialog on the moral

imperative of Earth Care.

Cy Englert, South Sound representative for theNorth West Earth Institute, spoke about the key

food issues covered in theInstitutes newest discussionprogram: Diet for the Future.These issues tie closely with bothenvironmental justice and earthstewardship.

Sue Gunn, a professional geologist, outlined theissues that will cause water supply to be a morevisible problem for individuals and institutions in thefuture. She identified water as part of the

Common, and the need for laws to protect thedivinity of nature.

Connie Walker, director of spiritual programs atProvidence St. Peters Hospital, stood in for anabsent representative of Puget Sound Energy onthe issues of energy. She identified the ways thatthe hospital has reduced its energy consumption,both for financial savings and to reduce globalwarming.

Sara Lewis, director of childrens religiouseducation at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist

Congregation, reviewed printed resources that areavailable to families and faith communities that canhelp build our childrens relationships with Nature.Beyond Ecophobia, and I Love Dirt: 52 activities toget kids interacting with Nature were two of herrecommendations.

In future articles the Interfaith Works EarthStewardship Committee will share the keylearnings of each discussion group ideas thatfaith communities and individuals can apply in theirown lives. The IWES Committee meets for lunchmonthly at First Christian Church in Olympia.

Contact the groups convener, Leslie Romer([email protected] or 360-357-7638) for moreinformation.

ENHANCING EARTH CARE IN FAITH COMMUNITIES

by Leslie Romer


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October 2008, p. 4

TICKETS AVAILABLE

The Olympia Jazz Senators, a sizzling hot bigband, brings the excitement of the holidayseason to the stage with a jazzy twist. Inaddition to Duke Ellington'sNutcracker, the Senators willplay original & classic tunes,including some klezmer, inhonor of the winter holidays.The December 5 concert willbenefit several programs of

Interfaith Works, including awinter shelter for homelesswomen and families, and theannual World Sacred Music Festival.

The Olympia Jazz Senators Big Band includesthe finest jazz musicians in the South PugetSound area. Bandleader Norm Wallen is one ofthe most prolific and most-performed composer/arrangers in the Northwest. Most Senators frontprofessional bands of their own, play in other

working bands, and teach numerous privatestudents. Seven are current or former publicschool music teachers.

The concert will take place in the beautiful, state-of-the-art concert hall/theatre at SPSCCs K.J.Minnaert Center for the Arts. The acoustics arewonderful! The hall holds 500 seats, as well asup to 10 wheelchair patrons. The K.J. Minnaertcenter is just 5 minutes from downtown Olympia,near the Olympia Auto Mall. Its easy to find --right on Mottman Road, and parking is free!

Help us fill the seats. Concert tickets are alwaysgreat gifts for yourself and for others. And whatan easy and wonderful way to support InterfaithWorks! Tickets, $20 general and $15 for lowincome, are now available fromwww.buyolympia.com, or from IW by calling 357-7224. Also, watch IWs website, www.interfaith-works.org for additional ticket locations.

Interfaith Works is seeking submissions of sacredartworks for the March 7, 2009, World SacredMusic Festival. This year, art will be displayed fromMarch 6 through March 15 in the art gallery atSPSCCs Minnaert Center for the Arts.

Congregations and individuals are invited to submitworks of sacred art to be considered for inclusion inthis very special exhibit. All media and forms willbe considered. These may be original workssubmitted by the artist, or other works owned byindividuals or congregations.

All work must be accompanied by an ArtSubmission Form. This form allows us to havecomplete information about each submission andcontributor, and to properly evaluate the work.

To submit art for consideration, download theapplication to be found at www.olysacredmusic.orgOne work of art per application form, please.Submissions may be sent by e-mail [email protected] or by USPS mail toInterfaith Works, WSMF, PO Box 1221, OlympiaWA 98507. Deadline for submissions is January 5,2009.

SEEKING SACRED ART


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October 2008, p. 5

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?

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

Volunteer with IW. You could take notes atmeetings, be on a committee, work at an event,help with office or custodial work (such as foldingthis newsletter!), or be a delegate from your faithcommunity. See our Volunteer page online or call

the office for ideas.

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

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.

Become a supporting member of IW - call theIW office at 357-7224 for details.

PAID AD

www.shortstaylodgings.com

Please Help!Interfaith Works still needs a recordingsecretary! Please, dont just figure that

someone else is going to recruit a

secretary.We need your help.

Interested persons may call the IWoffice, 9-1 weekdays, to ask questions

about the position.357-7224, or

email [email protected]

TELL US WHEN TO STOP!

We are happy to send our newsletter to anyonewho wants it. We also realize that some peoplewho once wanted our newsletter might laterdecide that they no longer want to receive it.

If you would like to be removed from our mailinglist, please notify us at 357-7224 [email protected].

BULLETIN BOARDFree to good home: six 5-foot-long brass candlesnuffers & lighters as well as brass holder usedfor torch candle being carried in a procession.Contact St. John's office 352-8527 before the endof October.


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October 2008, p. 6

COMMUNITY CALENDARInterfaith 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

October 22Wednesday

10 a.m. - 12 noon

RECOVERING THE SENSE OF EARTH AS SACRED - 2nd of 5 classes at Olympia Unitarian UniversalistCongregation (2200 East End St NW) exploring whether rediscovering a sense of the Earth as sacred maybe key to a solution to the environmental crisis. More sessions October 29, November 5, November 12.See IWs September newsletter, IW web site, or call Mimi Maloney at 459-5825 for details.

October 25Saturday

9:15 a.m.-3 p.m.

Spiritual Care for Service Providers Retreat: This workshop is designed for those called to Nursing,Medicine, Social Work, Ministry, Counseling and Spiritual Direction. Through conversation andexperiences, explore ways to revitalize ones life and work. Cost: $60. Bring a sack lunch. Call The PriorySpirituality Center at 438-2595 or visit www.stplacid.org for details on this and other Priory programs.

October 25Saturday

6 p.m.

Spaghetti Dinner & Auction: With a donation for Camp Quixote, enjoy spaghetti (with red sauce or alfredo),salad, garlic bread and Red Velvet Cake, followed by a Live Auction, all at St. John's Episcopal Church(20th & Capital, Olympia). For details, call Tim Monahan at 943-2661.

November 1Saturday, 9 - 4

Grandma's Attic and Bazaar at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church (540 School St SE, Lacey)Rummage Sale; Handmade Crafts; Bake Sale; Silent Auction. Lunch will be served - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

November 5Wednesday

7 - 9 p.m.

EARTH CARE SERIES: "An Interview with Gandhi: What would Gandhi Do?" Please join us at this free event at Traditions Caf (300 - 5th Ave, Olympia). Don Foran interviewsGandhi (Bernie Meyer), followed by discussion. This event is co-sponsored by Earth CareCatholics and the Interfaith Works Earth Stewardship Committee. Details on the IW website or callMimi Maloney at 459-5825.

November 9Sunday3 p.m.

Free concert Latin American Rhythms: Historic and Modern at St. Johns Episcopal Church (114 20th Ave. SE, Olympia): Seattle Pro Musica performs recently-discovered Latin American music drawn fromEuropean Baroque melodies, as well as modern pieces from Central and South America. Offering atintermission. For details call Warren Guykema, 556-7305

November 9Sunday, 4-6 p.m.

Sacred Harp Singing at Traditions Caf (5th & Water, downtown Olympia). Denson edition singing. 2ndSunday most months. Visit http://pnwshs.org/ or call Glen Buschmann at 352-9009 with any questions.

November 11Tuesday, noon

Deadline for articles, calendar items, and ads for the November IW newsletter (coming out aboutNovember 18).

November 12Wednesday

12 noon

Earth Stewardship Committee meeting: IW's Earth Stewardship Committee meets in the library atFirst Christian Church (7th & Franklin, Olympia) 2nd Wednesday of most months (next meeting12/10). All are welcome. For details, contact Leslie Romer at [email protected] or 357-7638.

November 13Thursday6:30 p.m.

Disciple of Gandhi Speaks at Common Bread at the Evergreen College LonghouseWinner of the 2008 Opus Award, Krishnamai Jagannatham was a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. She spenther life serving India's poor, providing homes and work skills in a sustainable environment.For details, visit http://Cbread.blogspot.com/ or call Fred LaMotte at 253 720-5025

November 18Tuesday7 - 9 p.m.

The IW Program Council meets at Temple Beth Hatfiloh (8th & Washington, downtown Olympia) toplan and execute the programs and projects of Interfaith Works. All interested persons are invited.For details, call Interfaith Works at 357-7224.


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October 2008, p. 7

STATE EMPLOYEES!

Please consider designating InterfaithWorks to receive your contribution fromthis years State Combined Fund Drive.Together we shelter the homeless, feedthe hungry, and promote justice andequality in Thurston County.

Tell your colleagues about us too!

Our CFD number is 316251.

November 22

Saturday9:15 a.m.-3 p.m.

Writing Spirit: Kindling Our Inner Light. Work with the spiritual energies of celebration, confidence and

hope while learning to find your voice and make your writing come alive! Register by Friday, November 14;Cost: $50. Call The Priory Spirituality Center at 438-2595 or visit www.stplacid.org for details on this andother Priory programs.

November 23Sunday

2:30 p.m.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration: Please bring your friends, family, and neighbors to thisprogram presenting ways different faiths give thanks in music and word; at WestminsterPresbyterian Church (1925 Boulevard Rd SE, Olympia). Visiting and light snacks available after theprogram. Proceeds from the free-will offering will be split between Garden Raised Bounty andInterfaith Works. Sponsored by Interfaith Works; see ourwebsite for more details or call 357-7224.

December 5Friday, 7 p.m.

The Olympia Jazz Senators perform Duke Ellington's Nutcracker at SPSCC's K.J.Minnaert Centerfor the Arts as a benefit for Interfaith Works. See p.4 Tickets Available for details.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR continued

ADULT EDUCATION AT OUUC

The Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation(OUUC) welcomes all to their fall program. Printedcopies of the program guide and registration form areavailable at the OUUC office (360-786-6383).

Fourteen classes represent a wide variety of subjects,including Unitarian Universalism, the monotheisticreligions, feminist theology, meditation, intuition, hospicecare, Earth spirituality, green home-building, bookdiscussion, poetry, a film series, visual art, and opera(connected with the Mets telecasts).

Consult the brochure at http://olyuu.org/RE/Adult/

index.htm for the titles, descriptions, and schedules ofclasses, and how to register.

SUPPORT THE INTERFAITH WORKSUPPORT THE INTERFAITH WORKSUPPORT THE INTERFAITH WORKSUPPORT THE INTERFAITH WORKWe 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: same as on reverse?_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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.


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October 2008, p. 8

PAID ADS

Interfaith WorksPO Box 1221Olympia WA 98507

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit 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 are run

subject to approval and space available.

Payment and ad copy are due by 12 noon on the 2ndTuesday of the month, for publication on or about the

3rd Tuesday of the month.

[email protected] or 357-7224

A Wintery Wonderland BazaarSaturday, November 15th, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

First United Methodist Church1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia; 943-2661

Spaghetti Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m.

One-of-a-Kind Silent Auction, several varieties of nuts,Cookie Walk, bakery and candy booths, Christmas items,

quilting and gift items, childrens, household items,outdoor booth, Go Green booth

OLYMPIA CHORAL SOCIETY

FREE CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Light and Joy

Fri, Sat, December 12-13 at 7:30 PMSunday, December 14 at 2 PM

North Thurston Performing Arts Center600 Sleater-Kinney Road in Lacey, north of Martin Way

Director: Terry Shaw

Website: www.olympiachoral.org Phone: 360-705-6462

Spaghetti Dinner & AuctionSaturday, October 25 at 6 p.m.

St. John's Episcopal Church

20th & Capital, Olympia

details on calendar inside

Benefit for Camp Quixote

october 2008 interfaith connection newsletter, interfaith works

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