NAINConnect 2006 - June 24/25

June 21st, 2006 by admin

NAINConnect 2006: a festival of information, inspiration and companionship with those devoted to peace and community among people of faith and spiritual commitment

A rich and varied program awaits registrants at NAINConnect 2006 (North American Interfaith Network) when it convenes for the first time in Vancouver , British Columbia on Friday, June 23, 2006 . Hosted by the Multifaith Action Society of BC, the theme is Passion for Peace: Commitment to Change. NAINConnect 2006 will make some of its plenary sessions available to the World Peace Forum, which is concurrently scheduled in Vancouver.

The conference begins Friday evening with a Shabbat ceremony, followed by a reception for registrants and a discussion with Anglican Bishop Michael Ingham who has recently been consultant to a world conference in Geneva and will have some very wise and informed observations as to the directions the interfaith movement needs to move in an ever-changing and shrinking world.

On Saturday morning, Nancy Fischer, a well-known educator, will present the results of her research which strongly indicates that we ought to be teaching meditation to children at an early age if we are to build a peaceful society. The Hon. Douglas Roche , a Catholic layman, Canadian senator, author and United Nations diplomat, will give an international perspective to peace-building in a multifaith context.

On Saturday evening at 8:00 pm we will be gathering at St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church (1022 Nelson Street @ Burrard in Vancouver) with hundreds of others from the Peace Forum to hear and participate in a multifaith concert and celebration of peace-making featuring the Universal Gospel Choir, a group whose popularity and power has simply exploded on the choral circuit. We will chant with Jewish liturgists, and participate in Kirtan with Sikh musicians. punctuated by engaging drum work by a first nations group.

On Monday morning we will hear from Dr. Louay Safi, Director of Leadership Education in the Islamic Society of North America . Dr. Safi will give us some foundational dimensions for Muslims in the process of peace-building through interfaith conversation. Leaders, both men and women, from other faith traditions will respond, followed by general discussion. This will be a unique opportunity for frank and honest discussion at a time when connections among the historic faith traditions and emerging spiritual expressions is vital to understanding our differences, resolving conflict and building a just and joyous society.

North American Interfaith NetworkThroughout NAINConnect, there will be opportunities for informal conversations with others of like mind and the sharing of imaginative program ideas which deepen interfaith connections at a community level. Please join us!

Registration fees: Full conference $275 CAD (includes most meals, speakers & events); $50 CAD (day rate, sessions only); and $10 CAD (drop-in fee for each plenary session).

Information: Multifaith Society of BC (admin@multifaithaction.org) or Judith Hardcastle (judithhardcastle@telus.net) at 604-321-1302.

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