Greetings Ben and Bill--
Thank you so much for hosting the AILF "Taste of Faith " this past Sunday. I had a very enriching and positive experience, as I believe the others I encountered did.
The people who attended the event really had interest to grow the Atlanta interfaith community and to accomplish the AILF goal to have Atlanta become a model for an interfaith community. I have attended other events where each person/group had an individual agenda and where the intention of the person/group was not necessarily about cultivating interfaith relationships. It was so refreshing to meet others who really understand the interfaith concept, to have constructive and informative discussions (even with disagreements) and to find a base of people with which to build strong bridges.
I am very excited about the programs list you have created. AIF likes to not only host interfaith events, but also to promote interfaith events in the community. I know there are lots of events going on in the Atlanta area, but I believe it has been somewhat difficult for organizations to share such events with interested communities.
I look forward to future programs hosted by AILF and look forward to strengthening our interfaith community!
Much peace,
Kelly Wentworth
American Islamic Fellowship, Executive Director
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
2010 Programs - Atlanta Interfaith Leaders Fellowship
The preliminary program schedule for Atlanta InterFaith Leaders Fellowship events is now complete. Four regular meetings of the Fellowship are planned throughout the year. One or more special events will likely be added as the year progresses.
The presently scheduled events will be on March 21, June 6, September 19 and December 5, 2009.
Two events are scheduled to help members share and understand better lifetime transition events which are common to all. The purpose is to help members become better equipped to relate to those of other faiths during these important life milestones.
On March 21 the Fellowship will meet at the Atlanta Hospice to address issues related to terminal health care and preparation for death as known in this world. Gillian Renault from the Hindu tradition is planning this event. The Hospice will be hosting this event as the Hospice represents one of the oldest institutions in Atlanta which has dealt with the fact that differences in faith traditions lead members to approach this life transition with different expectations and different traditional practices.
In September on the 19th the fellowship will meet to discuss the institution of marriage as it is experienced in differing traditions. The faiths have much in common but also some significant differences in practice. Saeed Raees from the Muslim tradition will be putting together a panel discussion on this topic.
The third event, actually second on the calendar as it is scheduled on the calendar for June 6, is being organized by Bassem Fakhoury. Many in attendance at prior meetings have asked for guidance in identifying opportunities to participate more fully in interfaith work. Bassem, one of the Fellowship’s Muslim members, will be selecting a number of ongoing interfaith efforts in the Atlanta community which need assistance and support. Representatives from these programs will tell their stories. Members with a program which they would like to have featured should contact Bassem, Ben Johnson, or Bill Voss at their convenience.
Bill Voss, a Christian member of the fellowship, will be organizing the fourth event which is planned for December 5. He is preparing for this event a workshop on how to conduct and lead interfaith dialogues. Attendees will focus by hearing and doing on how to better listen to others and talk with them in a non-judgmental fashion about their faiths and practices. All Fellowship members have significant skills in these areas. The Fellowship leadership believes that all can benefit from honing their skills.
Posted By: Bill Voss
The presently scheduled events will be on March 21, June 6, September 19 and December 5, 2009.
Two events are scheduled to help members share and understand better lifetime transition events which are common to all. The purpose is to help members become better equipped to relate to those of other faiths during these important life milestones.
On March 21 the Fellowship will meet at the Atlanta Hospice to address issues related to terminal health care and preparation for death as known in this world. Gillian Renault from the Hindu tradition is planning this event. The Hospice will be hosting this event as the Hospice represents one of the oldest institutions in Atlanta which has dealt with the fact that differences in faith traditions lead members to approach this life transition with different expectations and different traditional practices.
In September on the 19th the fellowship will meet to discuss the institution of marriage as it is experienced in differing traditions. The faiths have much in common but also some significant differences in practice. Saeed Raees from the Muslim tradition will be putting together a panel discussion on this topic.
The third event, actually second on the calendar as it is scheduled on the calendar for June 6, is being organized by Bassem Fakhoury. Many in attendance at prior meetings have asked for guidance in identifying opportunities to participate more fully in interfaith work. Bassem, one of the Fellowship’s Muslim members, will be selecting a number of ongoing interfaith efforts in the Atlanta community which need assistance and support. Representatives from these programs will tell their stories. Members with a program which they would like to have featured should contact Bassem, Ben Johnson, or Bill Voss at their convenience.
Bill Voss, a Christian member of the fellowship, will be organizing the fourth event which is planned for December 5. He is preparing for this event a workshop on how to conduct and lead interfaith dialogues. Attendees will focus by hearing and doing on how to better listen to others and talk with them in a non-judgmental fashion about their faiths and practices. All Fellowship members have significant skills in these areas. The Fellowship leadership believes that all can benefit from honing their skills.
Posted By: Bill Voss
A Taste of Faith
Approximately 75 members of the Atlanta InterFaith Leaders Fellowship gathered in Atlanta on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at the Petite Auberge Restaurant to celebrate A Taste of Faith.
Attendees Celebrated:
As Christians: Christmas Day – December 25 - honoring the birth of Jesus
As Hindus: The Holy Mother - Sri Sarada Devi – December 22 - honoring the December 22, 1853 birth of the wife of Ramakrishna
As Jews: Chanukah – December 11-19 – the Eight Day Festival of Lights
As Muslims: Eid al-Adha – November 27 – the Feast of Sacrifice marking the end of Hajj
As Brothers and Sisters – members of a shared humanity: Respect and love for those of all religious faiths and traditions.
Each of the faiths was represented by a table of foods and delicacies for sharing appropriate to the respective traditions. Each of the tables was staffed with persons of the corresponding faith to share in dialogue regarding the basis for their celebration. All in attendance experienced joy-filled dialogue with brothers and sisters of multiple faiths.
Ben Johnson together with Anchor Shepherd and numerous helpers were responsible for planning and implementing this celebratory event marking the first anniversary of the Fellowship’s formation. Ben’s inspirational message emphasizing the recently held Immersion Week interfaith dialogue program was a highlight of the day.
Bill Voss announced plans for Fellowship meetings in the year ahead.
Thanks go out to all who attended and all who participated in making this an immensely successful conclusion to our Fellowship programs for 2009!
Posted by: Bill Voss
Attendees Celebrated:
As Christians: Christmas Day – December 25 - honoring the birth of Jesus
As Hindus: The Holy Mother - Sri Sarada Devi – December 22 - honoring the December 22, 1853 birth of the wife of Ramakrishna
As Jews: Chanukah – December 11-19 – the Eight Day Festival of Lights
As Muslims: Eid al-Adha – November 27 – the Feast of Sacrifice marking the end of Hajj
As Brothers and Sisters – members of a shared humanity: Respect and love for those of all religious faiths and traditions.
Each of the faiths was represented by a table of foods and delicacies for sharing appropriate to the respective traditions. Each of the tables was staffed with persons of the corresponding faith to share in dialogue regarding the basis for their celebration. All in attendance experienced joy-filled dialogue with brothers and sisters of multiple faiths.
Ben Johnson together with Anchor Shepherd and numerous helpers were responsible for planning and implementing this celebratory event marking the first anniversary of the Fellowship’s formation. Ben’s inspirational message emphasizing the recently held Immersion Week interfaith dialogue program was a highlight of the day.
Bill Voss announced plans for Fellowship meetings in the year ahead.
Thanks go out to all who attended and all who participated in making this an immensely successful conclusion to our Fellowship programs for 2009!
Posted by: Bill Voss
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