The topic of discussion was altruism. Natalie conducted a workshop on Jewish practice of developing your character, and also gave us a moral problem related to altruism to ponder about.
Perspectives on altruism from different religions followed.
John joined us and asked for help with organizing the next Abraham's Table, which is scheduled for 20 of March. We have to come up with a suitable topic to discuss at the Table.
For 13 Feb, I still have a spare interactive presentation to do, in case no one else prepares anything. For the topic, I propose discussing the next Abraham's Table and then if we still have got any time, we could discuss balance between spiritual and secular life in our faiths.
Hope to see you all 13 feb, Tuesday, at 5 pm, at St.Peter's Chaplaincy.
Also, you could consider joining Interfaith Society on www.facebook.com
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Wednesday, 31 January 2007
Jan 31: Buddhist meditation and discussion on clothing
I got to share with the friends some basic concepts of Buddhist meditation, such as staying in the moment, with help of an exotic instrument called 'Jaw's harp' and some walking meditation practice.
Afterwards, we shared our thoughts about how these practices felt and then moved on to discussing Clothing and headwear in different religions (thank to Natalie, who suggested the topic).
Moving on to the next meeting. Yoji kindly suggested discussing Altruism as understood in you faith. Please, feel free to bring a reading from your scriptures that talks about altruism and then if you could perhaps explain what this means to you as a believer. Thank you.
Afterwards, we shared our thoughts about how these practices felt and then moved on to discussing Clothing and headwear in different religions (thank to Natalie, who suggested the topic).
Moving on to the next meeting. Yoji kindly suggested discussing Altruism as understood in you faith. Please, feel free to bring a reading from your scriptures that talks about altruism and then if you could perhaps explain what this means to you as a believer. Thank you.
Tuesday, 23 January 2007
Jan 23: call for future ideas
At the meeting on the 23rd of January we decided to have a person responsible for each meeting. This person prepares a 10 minute interactive presentation/ workshop on some topic that interests him/her related to his/her or a different religion. This we decided will be followed by discussing some topic based on our understanding of our religions' scriptures.
In addition, we decided to continue visiting places of worship and to run some sort of an environmental project.
Please find attach two files, which all of you are more than welcome to edit. Please add ideas on what to discuss, where to go and what to do and please appoint yourself to chair meetings.
Interfaith Society Meetings
Date Chair 10 minute Interactive Presentation/Workshop Scripture Study Topic
30 January Oxana Staying in the present moment (aspects of Buddhist meditation) ?
6 February
13 February
20 February
Please note that the date of a tree planting that we can participate in is quite soon - the 31 of January. If anyone is interested, please let me know and I will contact the organisers.
http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/getinvolved/index.htm
Oldham - Tree Planting Event - Limeside Park
Start: 31/01/2007
The event will comprise of tree planting over 3 days at Limeside Park in Oldham. All day session or two sessions 10-12 & 2-4pm local schools, groundworks, Contour staff, Friends of park and residents will get involved in planting new trees, plants and bulbs.
Parking is available at the tenents hall on Limeside Park.
Buses stop on Elm Road and Hollins Road within walking distance to Limeside Park.
If you require any further information please contact the event organiser directly using the contact details below:
Shanine Meadowcroft Telephone: 0161 682 4019 e-mail
shanine.meadowcroft@contourhousing.co.uk
http://www.do-it.org.uk/oppdetails.do?id=994479
In addition, we decided to continue visiting places of worship and to run some sort of an environmental project.
Please find attach two files, which all of you are more than welcome to edit. Please add ideas on what to discuss, where to go and what to do and please appoint yourself to chair meetings.
Interfaith Society Meetings
Date Chair 10 minute Interactive Presentation/Workshop Scripture Study Topic
30 January Oxana Staying in the present moment (aspects of Buddhist meditation) ?
6 February
13 February
20 February
Please note that the date of a tree planting that we can participate in is quite soon - the 31 of January. If anyone is interested, please let me know and I will contact the organisers.
http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/getinvolved/index.htm
Oldham - Tree Planting Event - Limeside Park
Start: 31/01/2007
The event will comprise of tree planting over 3 days at Limeside Park in Oldham. All day session or two sessions 10-12 & 2-4pm local schools, groundworks, Contour staff, Friends of park and residents will get involved in planting new trees, plants and bulbs.
Parking is available at the tenents hall on Limeside Park.
Buses stop on Elm Road and Hollins Road within walking distance to Limeside Park.
If you require any further information please contact the event organiser directly using the contact details below:
Shanine Meadowcroft Telephone: 0161 682 4019 e-mail
shanine.meadowcroft@contourhousing.co.uk
http://www.do-it.org.uk/oppdetails.do?id=994479
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
Dec 12: Last meeting of year
Today's interfaith society meeting was the last meeting of the year. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 23 January 2007, after the XMas holidays.
We had a few new muslim friends today, including Abdul Hannan, Issa and others, and a no-religion friend Yoji. First we discussed about the future of the society. It was decided to continue with our programme of visits to places of worship. So far this year we have been to a Jewish reform synagogue (in city centre), Bahai centre (in fallowfield), Hindu temple (in chorlton), and Sikh Gurudwara (near Salford). Abdul suggested we could visit a Mosque either ithe Didsbury Mosque or in Cheetam Hill. Other candidates for a visit are a Catholic Church, Anglican Cathedral, Buddhist temple, Jain community centre in Longsight etc.We also reviewed the multifaith week in the student union that was last week, and the very interesting interfaith dialogues on Religion and Gender (Thursday), Religion and Conflict (Monday), Faith and Environment (during Abraham's table on Thursday), Religion and science (on Friday) etc. We can also continue to discuss such important issues from different religious persepctives in a friendly atmosphere in the interfaith society meetings as well. After all, most religions have similar perspectives to many such issues and it will be worth stressing on our commonalities and where we agree.
Abdul also played a very interesting recorded speech by Tony Blair and a piece from a US radio show (although it was a hoax) about discrimination against muslims. We had a long and friendly discussion about the issue from various perspectives both faith and non faith. Abdul also spoke his views about the meaning of tolerance and how followers of different religions should get together to fight discrimination.
Finally, John informed us that the next Abraham's table will be sometime in March 2007 (also jointly organised by interfaith society and the multifaith reference group, and including delicious food like last week!) and Tariq Ramadan, who is a very famous writer, will be invited as a speaker.
Thursday, 7 December 2006
Dec 7: Abraham's table, a multifaith evening with food. Theme is "Faith: saving people, saving earth?"
Handout from Justine (speaker from People and planet): Ten Tips To Save The World (PDF File)
Tuesday, 5 December 2006
Dec 5: Interfaith workshop
Today, in the interfaith society meeting, we had an interfaith workshop as scheduled.
Nassim and Anisa conducted a nice and soothing Tranquility Zone with music and Bahai quotes about unity in religion, and then spoke a little about what the Bahai faith is all about, including its principles of unity of God, unity of religion etc. Unfortunately Kalpa from Hindu soc couldnt make it, but Joy gave a small talk on Hinduism and its rich variety of beliefs (including about God and the various aspects and forms of God to suit people of various personalities) and meditations (such as meditating on OM and in the full lotus posture), and and a taster of "Who am I" meditation. Kevin, John and Claire gave a short speech on Christianity and its diversity and what it meant to them, and also about the love and sacrifice of Jesus for all mankind and his perfection and that Christianity is also about life before death, as in the Christian Aid slogan. Oxana spoke about how she became a Buddhist and about gender equality in Buddhism, and about a Zen Buddhism inspired martial art called Ko Do Ryu which is completely non violent, the idea being to not attack the other person but use their own force to skillfully defend oneself, and how this philosophy of giving way to others resonates with the Zen Buddhist attitude of letting things be and just sitting. Finally, Oxana gave a nice demonstration of the martial art for those of us who were there, including a few simple forms or Kata (sanchin and seisan) and their application in sparring, and an introduction to the pushing hands technique. It was especially interesting to see how keeping the hand in physical contact with the other person helped to anticipate their movements. You can see more from http://www.kodoryu.com/kobudo.php
Earlier we had a meeting with Natalie and Hana, and decided to meet again (probably last meeting of the year) for next Tuesday at 5 pm and finalise the arrangements for the interfaith society. We also decided that future interfaith society meetings will be from 5 pm - 6 pm. I hope it will make it easier for some of you to attend, who are busy at other times.
We also agreed that its best not to have a formal hierarchy of people to run the interfaith society, but rather to have at least one representative from major world religions in the committee, more than one is also not a problem. The provisional representatives from different religions at present are as follows (maybe later once the society gets established and gets lots of members, we will have a formal election):
Islamic rep: Hana Jewish Rep: Natalie Buddhist rep: Oxana
Christian rep: Kevin Hindu rep: Kalpa Bahai rep: Nicholas, Anisa
Sikh rep: Not decided yet
Nassim and Anisa conducted a nice and soothing Tranquility Zone with music and Bahai quotes about unity in religion, and then spoke a little about what the Bahai faith is all about, including its principles of unity of God, unity of religion etc. Unfortunately Kalpa from Hindu soc couldnt make it, but Joy gave a small talk on Hinduism and its rich variety of beliefs (including about God and the various aspects and forms of God to suit people of various personalities) and meditations (such as meditating on OM and in the full lotus posture), and and a taster of "Who am I" meditation. Kevin, John and Claire gave a short speech on Christianity and its diversity and what it meant to them, and also about the love and sacrifice of Jesus for all mankind and his perfection and that Christianity is also about life before death, as in the Christian Aid slogan. Oxana spoke about how she became a Buddhist and about gender equality in Buddhism, and about a Zen Buddhism inspired martial art called Ko Do Ryu which is completely non violent, the idea being to not attack the other person but use their own force to skillfully defend oneself, and how this philosophy of giving way to others resonates with the Zen Buddhist attitude of letting things be and just sitting. Finally, Oxana gave a nice demonstration of the martial art for those of us who were there, including a few simple forms or Kata (sanchin and seisan) and their application in sparring, and an introduction to the pushing hands technique. It was especially interesting to see how keeping the hand in physical contact with the other person helped to anticipate their movements. You can see more from http://www.kodoryu.com/kobudo.php
Earlier we had a meeting with Natalie and Hana, and decided to meet again (probably last meeting of the year) for next Tuesday at 5 pm and finalise the arrangements for the interfaith society. We also decided that future interfaith society meetings will be from 5 pm - 6 pm. I hope it will make it easier for some of you to attend, who are busy at other times.
We also agreed that its best not to have a formal hierarchy of people to run the interfaith society, but rather to have at least one representative from major world religions in the committee, more than one is also not a problem. The provisional representatives from different religions at present are as follows (maybe later once the society gets established and gets lots of members, we will have a formal election):
Islamic rep: Hana Jewish Rep: Natalie Buddhist rep: Oxana
Christian rep: Kevin Hindu rep: Kalpa Bahai rep: Nicholas, Anisa
Sikh rep: Not decided yet
Monday, 4 December 2006
Dec 4-8: Multifaith week in Student Union
Multifaith week in Student Union
Venue is Manchester University Student Union unless mentioned
(Rooms MR1, MR2, MR3 are on 2nd floor of student union, St Peters Chaplaincy is on Oxford Road opposite to Blackwells bookshop and near Precinct centre, Grove House is the white building on Oxford Road opposite to McDonalds, Holy name church is the big Catholic church on Oxford Road near Catholic chaplaincy opposite to student union, Holy Trinity platt church is in the Plattfields park, near the end of Rusholme very near Oxford Road)
Monday 4th:
1pm - 2pm Interfaith Dialogue: Why does religion appear to cause conflict?
VENUE: MR1
7.30pm Buddhist Meditation class VENUE: MR3
Tuesday 5th:
1pm - 2pm Interfaith Dialogue: Religion, Gender, Society. Spiritual path : is it a lonely one? VENUE: Women only in MR3, Men only in MR2
5pm Manchester Debating Union Does religion cause conflict? VENUE: Meet in Students Union Foyer
6pm Interfaith Workshop by Interfaith Society VENUE: St Peter's Chaplaincy
Wednesday 6th:
10am - 4pm MULTI-FAITH EXHIBITION: Information Stalls, Creative Space, Art workshops, Music, Dance, Food and Excellent Company VENUE: Council Chamber and MR1, Students Union 2nd Floor
Thursday 7th:
1pm - 2pm Interfaith Student Dialogue: Is tolerance violence? Secular and Religious VENUE: MR1
2pm - 3pm Talk by Christian Science Organisation
Healing through prayer VENUE: MR1
6pm 'Abraham and Sarah's Table', "Faith: Saving People, Saving Earth?" VENUE: St Peter's Chaplaincy
7.30pm Talk by Buddhist Society 'Ko-Do Ryu: a non-violent martial art' VENUE: (Reading Room, Grove House, Whitworth Park)
Friday 8th:
1pm - 2pm Interfaith Dialogue: Can science and religion co-exist? VENUE: MR1
7.30pm Christian Union Carol Concert. Festive refreshments served afterwards. VENUE: Holy Trinity Platt Church.
You are also invited to:
Saturday 9th:
5:45pm International Christmas Carol Service VENUE: St Peter's Chaplaincy
Wednesday 13th
7pm University of Manchester Carols by Candlelight VENUE: Holy Name Church, Oxford Road
Venue is Manchester University Student Union unless mentioned
(Rooms MR1, MR2, MR3 are on 2nd floor of student union, St Peters Chaplaincy is on Oxford Road opposite to Blackwells bookshop and near Precinct centre, Grove House is the white building on Oxford Road opposite to McDonalds, Holy name church is the big Catholic church on Oxford Road near Catholic chaplaincy opposite to student union, Holy Trinity platt church is in the Plattfields park, near the end of Rusholme very near Oxford Road)
Monday 4th:
1pm - 2pm Interfaith Dialogue: Why does religion appear to cause conflict?
VENUE: MR1
7.30pm Buddhist Meditation class VENUE: MR3
Tuesday 5th:
1pm - 2pm Interfaith Dialogue: Religion, Gender, Society. Spiritual path : is it a lonely one? VENUE: Women only in MR3, Men only in MR2
5pm Manchester Debating Union Does religion cause conflict? VENUE: Meet in Students Union Foyer
6pm Interfaith Workshop by Interfaith Society VENUE: St Peter's Chaplaincy
Wednesday 6th:
10am - 4pm MULTI-FAITH EXHIBITION: Information Stalls, Creative Space, Art workshops, Music, Dance, Food and Excellent Company VENUE: Council Chamber and MR1, Students Union 2nd Floor
Thursday 7th:
1pm - 2pm Interfaith Student Dialogue: Is tolerance violence? Secular and Religious VENUE: MR1
2pm - 3pm Talk by Christian Science Organisation
Healing through prayer VENUE: MR1
6pm 'Abraham and Sarah's Table', "Faith: Saving People, Saving Earth?" VENUE: St Peter's Chaplaincy
7.30pm Talk by Buddhist Society 'Ko-Do Ryu: a non-violent martial art' VENUE: (Reading Room, Grove House, Whitworth Park)
Friday 8th:
1pm - 2pm Interfaith Dialogue: Can science and religion co-exist? VENUE: MR1
7.30pm Christian Union Carol Concert. Festive refreshments served afterwards. VENUE: Holy Trinity Platt Church.
You are also invited to:
Saturday 9th:
5:45pm International Christmas Carol Service VENUE: St Peter's Chaplaincy
Wednesday 13th
7pm University of Manchester Carols by Candlelight VENUE: Holy Name Church, Oxford Road
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