Interfaith Awareness Week is expected to bring together hundreds of people from different communities across the world to talk about their faith.
The eighth annual conference led by a group in Poway is slated for Aug. 11-17. This year the free conference will be held virtually. The idea is to encourage mutual respect and friendship among people of various faiths.
The event began seven years ago with several hundred people from 20 faith traditions gathering at the UC San Diego campus. Since then the event has grown into an international gathering held annually in August.
The idea for the conference came from a local pastor, the Rev. Stephen Albert, who led the Poway Interfaith Team, which was formed in 2006 by group of area faith leaders to encourage friendly discussions. The theme of this year’s gathering is, “A Chance to Smile Again.”
“With all the wars, killings, unrest and hate appearing in the world today, it’s nice to stop and learn that there are many people of all faiths who want peace in their lives and the world and who believe in treating all others with respect and dignity,” said Albert, co-founder of the Poway Interfaith Team and founder of the World Interfaith Network, which connects interfaith groups across the world.
Albert created the World Interfaith Network five years ago, first bringing together dozens of Interfaith organizations throughout the state and then expanding the network internationally. The gathering is hosted by the World Interfaith Network, which lists nearly 300 interfaith organizations on its database and is recognized in 107 countries.
Among the results of the first conference, Albert said, was that it received proclamations from 14 of 18 mayors and city councils in San Diego County, saying that their cities would respect all people from all faiths, cultures and backgrounds. In March 2018, the California state Assembly and the governor approved celebrating Interfaith Awareness Week each year in the second week of August.
“Perhaps the greatest compliment I have heard since we began this global program is, ‘Attending the Interfaith sessions helped reduce my loneliness. I thought I was all alone, and I learned that there are others who really care,’” Albert said.
More than 28 virtual presentations are planned. Topics range from ″Connecting the Rising Generation Through Service,” Faith Inspired Social Justice,” and “Living From Our Essential Goodness” to “Indigenous and Interfaith Wisdom,” “Spiritual Diversity in Education” and “We Are The Hands and Feet of God.”
Here is a sampling of the program lineup:
Aug. 11
2-3:30 p.m.: Event opening – “Living From Our Essential Goodness” – Poway Interfaith Team.
4-5:30: “Bridging Divides: Sharing Heartbeats” – Escondido Together, Verna Sunquest.
6-7:30: “From Protest to Policy: Youth Voices in Peacebuilding” – Bangladesh Interfaith” – Global Law Thinkers, Roaman Smita.
Aug.12
8– 9:30 a.m.: “Spiritual Diversity in Education” – Deborah Robin Mech
10–11:30: “The Science of Compassion, and Compassion-Centered Art Exhibitions” – Jon Kolkin, M.D., president, The Shades of Compassion Foundation.
Noon-1:30 p.m.: “Interfaith” Temple of Understanding, New York, Alison Van Dyke.
2-3:30: “Community Resilience” – United Religions Initiative – Samira Barucija.
4-5:30: ″Connecting the Rising Generation Through Service” – Elder Michael Christensen, Elizabeth Christensen.
6-7:30: “Can Western Women Heal The World?” – The Global Women’s Village – Sande Hart.
Aug. 13
8-9:30 a.m.: “Spiritual Playdate Respect Challenge – Making Respect Cool Again” – Edwina Colwell.
Noon-1:30 p.m.: “Arizona Faith Network” – Vasu Bandhu.
4-5:30: “Sin, Suffering, and Redemption” – Catholic-Buddhist Dialogue – Interfaith Circle, Toronto Canada, Vivian Kwok.
6-7:30: “ICI World Pilgrims—Pilgrimage to Vietnam” – Angela Rice.
Aug. 14
8-9:30 a.m.: “Bridging Faiths for a Greener Future: Interfaith Peacebuilding through Environmental Conservation” – Greshma Raju.
4-5:30 p.m.: “We Rise” – Sandra Campbell, Kansas City.
6-7:30: “Baha’i Devotional” – Baha’is, Poway.
Aug.15
8-9:30 a.m.: “Connecting Interfaith Thru Media & Events” – Jacqueline Fuller.
10-11:30: “How Food Can Increase Social Interaction” – Kate Sookhoo, Char Nolan, —Interfaith Philadelphia.
Noon-1:30 p.m.: “ Faith Inspired Social Justice by Interfaith Worker Justice of San Diego County” – Rev. Cheri Metier.
2-3:30: “What Color are Your Thoughts?’ A Divine Perspective” – Rev. Dr. Ahmondra McClendon, NY.
4-5:30: “Reclaiming Joy through Nature’s Diversity: Indigenous and Interfaith Wisdom” – Rev. Rebecca Suzik, Indigenous Elders.
Aug. 16
10-11:30 a.m.: “United Religions Initiative” – Issac S. Thomas.
Noon-1:30p.m.: “Soul’s Evolution for Tomorrow” – Rev. Dr. Stephen Albert, Poway.
Aug. 17
10-11:30 a.m.: “Nigeria Interfaith” – Usman Inuwa.
2-3:30 p.m.: “We Are The Hands and Feet of God” – Yolanda Nava, Los Angeles.
4-5:30: “Interfaith Music: Sounds that Appeals & Heals” – Ruth Broyde Sharone.
6-7:30: “Teaching Interfaith Today” – Closing celebration — Revs. Drs. Abigail and Stephen Albert, World Interfaith Network.
For a full schedule of presentations, go to https://world-interfaith.com/interfaith-awareness-week/.
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