INTERFAITH CONNECTION

Interfaith Works is an association of congregations, affiliated

non-profit organizations and individuals. Our purpose is to
promote interfaith understanding, and serve the community through
OCTOBER 2010 charitable, social and educational endeavors.

9/11 INTERFAITH EVENT FILLS CONGREGATION

Olympia Responds 3,019 Miles & a World Away…
Danny Kadden, Executive Director Scott Stevens
On September 11, a day of solemn Gainesville, Florida, is 3,019 miles away from where I sit
memories was clouded this year by as I write this. And it seems at least 3,000 miles away
threats from a Florida-based pastor to spiritually, at least in the kind of spirituality promoted by a
publicly burn copies of the Qur'an. In certain "Christian" pastor there, who we'll leave unnamed.
Olympia, Interfaith Works members
and friends responded by coming to- I was thinking earlier about what to post on this loaded
gether to sit as friends and neighbors date, nine years after the attacks by terrorists in Washing-
from across faith traditions, to hear ton DC, New York, and Pennsylvania. I could post music
readings and teachings from the
Qur'an given by Imam Nabil,
leaders and clergy from the local
Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, and
interfaith communities, and other
leaders of the Islamic Center of
Olympia (a member of Interfaith
Works), and to express our
shared commitment to religious
freedom for all people.
We were not alone. Similar inter-
faith gatherings were held in the
Seattle area, Tacoma, and in a
diverse set of cities from Beverly

(continued on page 3) Imam Nabil addresses 9/11 gathering (Continued on page 2)

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3,019 Miles Away (Continued from page 1)
showing the peaceful side of Islam, or something
about the folly of the misguided rush to war that fol-
lowed 9/11.
Instead I baked oatmeal cookies. Lots of oatmeal
cookies. And then I went to a local interfaith event
billed as "An interfaith response to anti-Islamic hate."
My community has some strong interfaith credentials,
with the roots of the most prominent interfaith organi-
zation dating back to 1969. So I wasn't surprised to
hear about this event, a response to the Florida flare-
up and a positive, neighborly way to observe the an-
niversary of a dark day. Though I was a little sur-
prised to arrive near the Unitarian Universalist con-
gregation where the event was being held -- in a
quiet residential neighborhood -- and find so many
cars there I had to park two blocks away.
The place was packed. I recognized some faces, and
Abubaker Rony from the Islamic Center of Olympia,
Interfaith Works Executive Director Danny Kadden, and
Mustafa Mohamedali, member of the Islamic Center of Olym-
pia and Interfaith Works Board Member prepare for the
Qur’an reading at the 9/11 interfaith event.
learned who others were as they spoke. The main
portion of the program was in the hands of local Mus-
lims, who talked about the Qur’an, aspects of faith,
October 2010, p. 2
and how some Arabs were essentially going back to
pre-Islamic traditions of vengeful violence, which find
no support in Islam. The new Imam of the local
mosque, a Moroccan, was charming and self-
effacing, and recited beautifully a passage from the
Quran, with others translating.
Equally moving were the comments by other local
faith community leaders. One after another, Chris-
tians, Jews, Bahais, Buddhists, and others stood to
support local Muslims and denounce intolerance,
violence, and "them vs. us"-ness.
And it wasn't just the rabbis and ministers and
monks. As I mentioned, the place was packed. Which
meant that here, more than three thousand miles
away from this week's center of controversy, we had
a gathering of two or three times more people than
are members in that tiny Gainsville church.
I can only imagine what kind of gatherings happened
in larger cities around the USA. And I hope Muslims
abroad will see some images of these kind of gather-
ings, and realize that most Americans do not hate
them, and do not wish to desecrate their scriptures.
Instead we want to live in a world where people of
faith (and even of no particular faith) can share the
qualities of respect, tolerance, gratitude, and com-
passion. We want to live in a world where a tiny mes-
sage of hate cannot be louder than the voices of the
many seeking peace.
Every religion, every nation has its crazies. It's up to
the rest of us to not allow them to set the agenda for
everyone.
I suppose that's my 9/11 message. Goes well with
oatmeal cookies.
Scott Stevens is a delegate for Interfaith Works, and Direc-
tor of the World Sacred Music Festival. He blogs at
SoundRoots World Music & Global Culture,
www.soundroots.org. Reprinted by permission.
 EATING ETHICALLY IN THE COMMUNITY OF LIFE
Sr. Mimi Maloney, SNJM, Interfaith Works Earth Stewards Committee
One of the most significant insights coming to us
from our spiritual traditions, from indigenous peo-
ples and from science, is the notion that there is
only one Earth community, there is only one sacred
community and that is "The Community of Life".
Virtually everything that exists is part of this inter
connected, interdependent, and living system.
We see this web of interconnectedness every-
where when we look at the natural world, and if we
want to unlock the meaning of life, we must try to
understand this way in which all of reality is inter-
linked. As one living and closed system, the whole
earth community is organized and structured in
such a way that all members of this sacred commu-
nity of life depend on, and feed off of, each other
Olympia Responds
(continued from page 1)
Hills to Hoboken, from Atlanta to Cheyenne.
Our 9/11 program provided a powerful public fo-
rum to discuss our reactions to what has been
going on, and what steps we might take to keep
our community a safe and welcoming place for all
faiths.
This has been one of Interfaith Works core mis-
sions through the years, one that now takes on
new urgency and meaning, and one that we will
continue to support.
to Rev. Art Vaeni and the
Thank you Olympia Unitarian Univer-
salist Congregation for hosting Interfaith Works
9/11 Response to Anti-Muslim Bigotry.
October 2010, p. 3
for their existence. Thus, eating and being eaten is
...at its basic and literal reality, a deeply mystical
matter. When we eat, we not only take into our-
selves another being, but that being becomes
part of us, those molecules become part of our
human tissue. The metaphor for food here is
less that of fuel than that of communion. Eating
and being eaten incarnates one of the central
mysteries of life: each life at some point becom-
ing food for other life, in an on-going chain of
life, death, and mutual sustenance.
(Carla Berkedal, “Earth Letter”, Nov. 1996, p. 10).
It is for this reason that Wendell Berry says, “How
we eat will determine to a considerable extent how
the world is used.”
Eating then, is a profoundly spiritual, religious and
ethical act, for what we eat, where our food comes
from, and how we eat are all expressions of our
how we are embedded in this sacred Community of
Life and as such, can be seen as a sacrament.
I do not mean to suggest we can live harmlessly
or strictly at our own expense; we depend upon
other creatures and survive by their deaths. To
live, we must daily break the body and shed the
blood of creation. The point is, when we do this
knowingly, lovingly, skillfully, reverently, it is a
sacrament. When we do it ignorantly, greedily,
clumsily, destructively, it is a desecration…in
such desecration we condemn ourselves to
spiritual and moral loneliness, and others to
want. (Wendell Berry, “The Gift of Good Land”,1983, p. 272)
In our series, Ethical Eating: Healthy Planet,
Healthy Food, Healthy People, we will explore
ways to eat well in the community of life. Please
join us for the whole series or for any part of this
series.
Event flyer on next page.
 We’ve got the

whole
world
in our hands. Now what?

EARTH CARE Series: Videos, Presentations, Conversations 2010-2011

  “Hands-on Earth Care with Children” What’s happening in local
schools that could serve as models for gardening and waste reduction
Oct.  (recycling, composting) in other local schools?
13  A panel discussion with Karen Ray (Thurston Co. Food Bank School
ETHICAL Gardens Coordinator), Rob Cahill (Lakes Elementary Teacher), and Peter
Guttchen (Thurston Co. Solid Waste Food to Flowers Coordinator).
  “Earth Care Goes Poetic: Poetry and Sustainability Workshop for
EATING: Nov.  Youth and the Young at Heart” Dr. Don Foran will help fledgling and future
10  poets of all ages focus on images from our bruised but brilliant world and show how
poetry truly can save our world.

Healthy   “Food, Inc.” (DVD) lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing
Jan.  the highly mechanized underbelly that has been largely hidden from the
12  American consumer. We are a nation riddled with widespread obesity,
Planet, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes.

  “Hidden Dangers in Kids Meals: Genetically Engineered

Healthy Foods” (DVD). In this video, shocking research results, inadequate
Feb.  regulations, and warnings from eminent scientists explain why
9  Genetically Modified Foods are dangerous and should be removed from
Food, kids' meals, and why GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) threaten
your health, the environment and future generations.
 
Mar.  “Good Food” (DVD) offers an intimate look at the farmers, ranchers,
Healthy and businesses that are creating a more sustainable food system in the Pacific
9  Northwest.

People     Sat. 
Apr. 
“Discover the Wonders of Nature at  the Nisqually National
Wildlife Refuge”* Aimed especially at families and educators, this
program includes a tour of the Education Center, Nature Explore Area, and
9 information about the Refuge’s environmental education programs.
  *Note: Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, 10 am to noon, Saturday, April 9

Where:  Traditions Café  300 5th Ave SW, Olympia  Time: 7‐9 pm 
 

Events are on Wednesdays (except Apr. 9), followed by discussion. For information call 459‐5825. 
 

All Events are Free. Donations Accepted. 
Co‐sponsored by Earth Care Catholics of Olympia and Interfaith Works Earth Stewardship Committee 
 COMMUNITY CALENDAR
A listing of some of the activities and events of Interfaith Works members, affiliated organizations, and of general interest.
IW does not necessarily endorse these events. More details and events at www.Interfaith-Works.org.

October 7 The Union of Two Paths: Wisdom & Its Methods Determining the effectiveness and
Thursday achievements of one's practice on these paths in the journey of personal and social trans-
7—8:45 pm formation. 1211 Wilson Street NE, Olympia, WA. Nalanda Institute, www.nalandaolywa.org
October 9 Moving with Jesus We will adapt and modify yoga and tai chi movements to depict Jesus’
Saturday life story. Cost: $50. Facilitated by Roy DeLeon. Register by 10/5. Priory Spirituality Center,
9:30-3:30 500 College St. NE, Lacey, 98516. www.stplacid.org; 438-2595
October 10 Liturgical Dance in Memory of John Twelves In a dance tribute to John’s long, active,
Sunday and god-centered, Mary Alice Olson and Meri Russell will perform at both services. St.
8,10:30 am John’s Episcopal Church, 114 20th Ave SE, (at Capitol Way). All are Welcome!
October 13 Hands-On Earth Care with Children - Earth Care Series on Ethical Eating, #1.
Wednesday What’s happening in local schools that could serve as models for gardening and waste
7:00 pm reduction? A panel discussion at Traditions Café, 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia. Free.
October 14 Conversation with Muslim Americans: “How does it feel to be Muslim in America today?”
Thursday with members of the Lacey Islamic Center. Potluck desserts and tea. Sponsored by Com-
6:30 pm mon Bread (TESC Interfaith Student Group) The Longhouse. http://Cbread.blogspot.com
Oct.14-23 40-hour Professional Mediation Training. Learn powerful skills for helping people to
Thur-Sat solve conflict with the Dispute Resolution Center. 2 consecutive weekends. Fee: $625. Pre-
various registration required. www.mediatethurston.com; 956-1155
October 16 Introduction to the Enneagram. Learn nine distinct worldviews that make up Enneagram,
Saturday gain tools for recognizing habits of thinking, feeling, acting. Cost: $60. Register by 10/8.
6:30—8:30 pm Priory Spirituality Center, 500 College St. NE, Lacey, 98516. www.stplacid.org; 438-2595
Oct. 28- Hospice Training. Volunteers provide support to families/caregivers and those who are
Nov. 12 dying by offering respite for a caregiver, running errands, being a loving presence. 30-hour
varies training. Call Debe Edden, SoundHome & Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, 493-4689.
Nov. 10 Earth Care Goes Poetic - Earth Care Series on Ethical Eating, #2.
Wednesday Dr. Don Foran will help fledgling and future poets of all ages, and show how poetry
7:00 pm truly can save our world. Traditions Café, 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia. Free.
Nov. 13 Winter Wonderland Bazaar - Bakery and Candy, Silent Auction, Nuts, Cookie Walk, Quilt-
Saturday ing & Gift, Children’s & Household, Outdoor & Go-Green. Spaghetti luncheon 11:30-1. First
9—3 pm United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia, 98501; 943-2661
November 21 27th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving: A Celebration of the Whole Human Family.
Sunday Join us for music, words and songs of many faiths. Reception following.
2:30 pm Tumwater United Methodist Church, 1401 Lake Park Dr. SW, Tumwater 98512.

October 2010, p. 5
 Non-Profit Org.
Interfaith Works U.S. Postage
PO Box 1221 PAID
Olympia WA 98507 Permit No. 325
Olympia, WA 98501

www.interfaith-works.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

27 ANNUAL INTERFAITH
TH

“A Wintery Wonderland Bazaar” THANKSGIVIN

HANKSGIVINGG
Saturday, November 13, 9 - 3 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia; 943-2661

Support Interfaith Works with a Paid Ad $10. Deadline: 2nd Tuesday

Spaghetti Luncheon, 11:30 am–1:00 pm
One of--a-Kind Silent Auction  Varieties of Nuts 
One--of
Cookie Walk  Bakery and Candy booths  Christmas items
Sunday,
Quilting and Gift items  Children’s & Household items 
Outdoor booth  “Go Green” booth November 21, 2:30 pm
Tumwater United Methodist Church
1401 Lake Park Dr. SW,
Tumwater, 98512
Thank you for supporting Interfaith Works
through the Combined Fund Drive (CFD) —the Wash-
 Reception with 
 Music,                                                       
ington State public employee giving program. We were glad
light refreshments 
words & songs                                          
to meet some of you at the recent Charity Fairs. following 
of many faiths  
OUR CFD CHARITY CODE IS: 316251  Children welcome   All are welcome