Positive spiritual, religious, and interfaith news for the international community

NAIN Survey: Succesful Programs

By Elizabeth Esperson

Alliance for Spiritual Community — Dialogue Program: Interfaith Café…

The topic was "Who are we as a community?" We were seated in circles of 8. Each had a name and participants picked a paper with the name of the circle to find out where to sit. Thus, groups were diverse. Group dialogue on how your religion influences how you spend your leisure time, raise your children, and interact with your colleagues at work or school.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue, development of further interfaith activity.

CoNexus Multifaith Media — Sourcebook of the World's Religions

An interfaith guide to religion and spirituality

Success based on

Number of participants, development of further interfaith activity, education of participants, quality of interfaith advocacy, quality of service, number of people reached.

Creative Films — Parliament of Souls

½ hour in-depth interviews with 27 religious leaders at the World Parliament of Religions, aired internationally. Models for the public a positive means of religious dialogue and is a presentation of the widest range of spiritual expression aired on public television.

Success based on

Quality of interfaith dialogue, development of further interfaith activity, number of people reached.

Edmonton Interfaith Centre — Dialogue & Advocacy Program: Jewish/Christian/Muslim Dialogues

These are explorations of one another's faith traditions that have been continuing for two years.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue and advocacy, development of further interfaith activity, education of participants, quality of service offered, number of people reached.

Foundations for Religious Freedom — Dialogue & Advocacy Program: "Tolerance 2000"

First published in 1999 as "Tolerance 101" for national distribution to counter anti-religious movements domestically. It has been translated and printed in France, Japan with good response, Russian translation is underway; German translation is in progress though not complete. Other completed translations are Italian, Hungarian and Spanish.

Success based on

Number of participants, education of participants, quality of interfaith advocacy, quality of service offered, number of people reached, amount of money raised for organization

Interfaith Center at the Presidio — An Interfaith Festival – One Light, Many Mirrors

From American Indian Blessing to Hebrew Sundown Service, a celebration of music, poetry and spirit. Music, dance & stories from all over the world on the outdoor stage… arts and crafts for youngsters of all ages… stellar presenters… see a remarkable Videofest about the possibilities of interfaith friendship… get acquainted at the Interfaith Café… lots of food, booths, and a stained-glass work-in-progress exhibit.

Success based on

All items mentioned in Survey.

Note Comment: Just one doesn't fit. We also have annual "Gathering of Blessings" and "What Do You Believe?" with 50 minute video based on 200 interviews with San Francisco Bay area teenagers. Premiered in February, 2002.

Interfaith Council of Washington (State) — "We're Standing on One Foot"

Annual World Religions study series. It consists of six all day programs over six months in partnership with Seattle University School of Theology. "This year we had over 92 participants, 6 presenters, and netted $2,200 for our treasury."

Success based on

Number of participants, education of participants, amount of money raised for organization, community partnerships

Interfaith Dialogue Association — Annual Conference

Each year we invite a speaker of note from various traditions to present on various topics. Workshops follow the plenary. Former conference topics: Sacred Sounds, Sacred Narrative, Science and Religion, Religion in Schools, Women in Religion.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue, development of further interfaith activity, education of participants, quality of service offered.

Interfaith Voices for Peace and Justice — Daily communication

via web. Respond to phone calls, letters and faxes.

Success based on

Number of participants, education of participants, quality of interfaith advocacy

International Association for Religious Freedom — IARF Congress

A triennial event bringing together representatives of member groups, scholars, activists and local people to build relationships and rapport.

Success based on

Number of participants, development of further interfaith activity, quality of service offered, number of people reached

Marin Interfaith Council — Advocacy Program: Housing Sabbath Project

Housing Sabbath is a unique way in which the interfaith community increases its understanding of issues related to our housing crisis and the housing element process. Members of faith communities become involved as advocates for effective affordable housing. While the actual Sabbath experience takes place on a designated Friday through Sunday, the project includes activities in preparation for those events as well as time for follow-up and integration following the actual Sabbath. Project is intergenerational – children, youth, adults and seniors. Resources developed reflect different generation-specific participants. Project is coordinated by Interfaith Council with high school students invited to participate as part of their community service responsibilities. Project began on July 1 and ended on December 15, 2001.

Success based on

Number of participants, development of further interfaith activity, education of participants, quality of interfaith advocacy, number of people reached.

Meetings in Faith — Dialogue into Advocacy Program: Multifaith Exploration and Exchange

This program begins with recruitment of members of various religious traditions found in a given local area. After an evening orientation, the group visits the religious community and/or place of worship of each religious tradition. While there, they receive teaching, observe/participate in the traditional worship, and develop dialogue/q&a about what they have experienced. Often fellowship with members of the community over shared refreshments follows. The program begins in January of each year and goes through June with about two visits per month. Blessing Night closes the experience. The program develops a cohesive interfaith community which may be invited to speak out on advocacy issues affecting the religious life of the community. It has been held in Dallas, Texas for about eight years, and has been adapted in other cities (Fresno, Edmonton, Fort Worth, Milwaukee, etc.)

Success based on

Quality of interfaith dialogue and advocacy, development of further interfaith activity, education of participants, quality of service offered, number of people reached.

Multifaith Action Society — The Multifaith Calendar

2003 marks the 17th edition of this calendar, the quintessential source for major religious festivals and holidays. It uses art work and significant quotations around a given annual theme to educate its users to the world's religions.

Success based on

Quality of interfaith dialogue, education of participants, quality of interfaith advocacy, quality of service offered, number of people reached, amount of money raised for organization

Partners in Dialogue — Dialogue and Advocacy Program: Building Bridges through Interfaith Dialogue – Post September 11

This was one of four forums held in South Carolina to explore the implications of September 11th for interfaith relations. Ten different traditions were involved in the dialogue. The forum was taped by SC-ETV. A one-hour program will be aired on ETV around September 11, 2002, to continue the dialogue as groups meet to watch and discuss the program.

Success based on

Number of participants, development of further interfaith activity, quality of interfaith advocacy, number of people reached

Religious Education Association — Dialogue Program: Teaching and Learning Beyond Boundaries

Interreligious conversation about character education by religious leaders and public school educators.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue, quality of service offered, number of people reached

Temple of Understanding — Program: Spiritual Journey

Program introduces participants to the religious practices of 8 traditions through an experiential program of "immersion" in a tradition – visits to religious sites are held one Saturday per month over the course of a year.

Success based on

Quality of interfaith dialogue, development of further interfaith activity, education of participants

The Thanks-Giving Foundation at Thanks-Giving Square — Program: National Day of Prayer Breakfast

Held annually, this is a demonstration of the unity-in-diversity of our community and our nation, in our breakfast on the day designated by Congress. There is usually a nationally known speaker with interfaith interests. (Past speakers include Terry Anderson, Elizabeth Dole, Martin Marty). Leaders of 20 plus religious traditions are seated at the head table. Various religious communities, businesses and individuals make up the audience. This year, instead of a major speaker, we had representatives from Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity (all at war with one another somewhere in the world) bring messages of hope and prayer for our nation and for peace.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue, education of participants

Urantia Book Fellowship — Program of dialogue and advocacy with Urantia Book Exhibits.

Participation in World Parliament of Religions in South Africa, December 1999.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue and advocacy, development of further interfaith activity, quality of service offered, number of people reached.

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