We have a wonderfully diverse group of intelligent and articulate panelists for this Sunday’s event. Each will speak for a few minutes and all will be present for the Q&A at the end of the program (see schedule below).

PROGRAMME, in honour of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week

David Lam auditorium, Maclaurin Building, UVic (Free parking Lot E) 

(See below for details)

1:00 p.m.         Displays; refreshments

1:30 p.m.         Welcome by MC, Dr. Elaine McCreary, MFS

Storyteller Shoshana Litman, VMS

“What tools & teachings in your tradition are needed for humanity to heal & flourish?”

1:45 p.m.        Panel #1:

• Aboriginal Spirituality  Alex Nelson
• Buddhism                   Soshin McMurchy
• Bahá’í                         Gita Badiyan
• Unitarian                    Shana Lynngood

2:30 p.m.         Getting’ Higher Choir

2:40 p.m.         Panel #2:

• Islam                        Dr Farouk Mitha
• Judaism                   Sharon Kobrinsky
• Christianity               Michelle Slater
• Hinduism                  Sridevi Ganti

3:30 p.m.         Questions & Answers with all Panelists

3:50 p.m.         Closing, Shana Lynngood

Facebook Event page with poster

Every Thursday between 19 Jan – 16 Feb, presenters will give an overview of their faiths and answer questions, in the Chapter Room of Christ Church Cathedral (rear of ground floor). Bring a bagged lunch; coffee and tea provided. The Chapter Room is easily accessed from the car park on Burdett Ave., between Quadra and Vancouver streets.

Overview elements:
• The essence of my faith
• A VERY BRIEF history
• Core beliefs / key concepts
• Principal practices / customs
• Holy books / texts

In honour of the United Nations’ World Interfaith Harmony Week, the event “Healing the World: Appreciating Diversity, Creating Community” will be held

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Sunday, 5 February, 2017                 

David Lam Auditorium, MacLaurin Building A144, UVic

Recognizing the many enormous challenges that the world currently faces, our greatest need may be for wisdom, sanity and social discourse. A panel of local leaders from 8 world faiths will discuss the tools & spiritual teachings that are most needed for humanity to heal and flourish.

The program will run from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. including short artistic performances, and will open with displays and refreshments at 1:00 p.m.

Sponsored by the Victoria Multifaith Society and UVic’s Multi-faith Services

VMS is planning a special event to celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week, declared by the United Nations in 2010, and held the first week of February each year. We’ll also continue our Lunch & Learn series at Christ Church Cathedral in the new year. Stay tuned!

Our AGM was held 2 – 4 p.m., Sunday, November 6, 2016, in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, at the beautiful Ismaili Jamatkhana situated at 1250 Esquimalt Rd.

Fifteen people attended, including 12 VMS members and 3 from the general public. Board chair Ali Hemani officiated. Board members for the upcoming year are: Ali Hemani (Muslim); Sheila Flood (Bahá’í); Christine Johnson (Unitarian); Sridevi Ganti (Hindu); Janine Theobald (Buddhist); Malcolm Read (Christian); Shoshana Litman (Jewish). The VMS board is currently seeking to fill the seats for the Sikh religion and First Nations Spirituality.

The annual report was given in the form of a colourful Powerpoint Presentation facilitated by Ali Hemani. Another highlight of the meeting was a stakeholder engagement exercise facilitated by Janine Theobald, including ice-breaker, introductions, discussion on what the term “multifaith” means to us, and what we’d like to see happening in the coming year.

The afternoon ended with time to socialize, with refreshments generously provided by the Ismaili Muslim community.

On successive Thursdays at Noon in the Chapter Room of Christ Church Cathedral (rear of ground floor), presenters will give an overview of their faiths and answer questions. Bring a bagged lunch; coffee and tea provided. The Chapter Room is easily accessed from the car park on Burdett Ave., between Quadra and Vancouver streets. The series will be continued with other faiths in the new year.

Sept. 29    Intro to World Religions: Dr Michael Hadley

Oct. 6        Islam: Imam Ismail Mohamed Nur

Oct. 13      Christianity: Rev. Ansley Tucker

Oct. 20      Unitarian: Rev. Shana Lynngood

Oct. 27      Bahá’í Faith: Garry Antinuk

• Participant arrival at Noon
• Introduction of the speaker at 12:10
• Speaker from 12:15 – 12:40
• Questions / comments 12:40 – 12:50
• Session closed at 1:00 pm.

Overview elements:

• The essence of my faith
• A VERY BRIEF history
• Core beliefs / key concepts
• Principal practices / customs
• Holy books / texts
• Recommended reading

The One Spirit event at the Hindu temple, held 24 Sept. 2016, was teamwork & collaboration at its best. Six of the great faiths of the world were celebrated through the arts, all in celebration of the One Spirit that unites us all!

A delicious meal was served following the one hour program, compliments of VMS and catered by the Hindu Temple.

Thanks to all who were involved, in the planning, hosting and wonderful presentations that were sung, chanted and played. Around 100 people were present, a great turnout for this very special gathering that brought together so many beautiful cultural styles and ways of worshiping!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhnY6g5ZUl4&feature=em-upload_owner

Thanks to all who attended the day-long celebration of the UN International Day of Peace on Wednesday, 21 September with music, food, educational displays and activities for all the family!

Special thanks to the organizers and to the volunteers at the VMS table.

Unity Church spearheaded this endeavor, which was proudly sponsored by the Victoria Multifaith Society and several other local organizations.

More news on the Facebook Peace Day event page.

The board of the Victoria Multifaith Society has welcomed several new members in 2016! John Steele, who occupied the Christian seat on the board, stepped down due to a heavy work schedule, and the board was joined by Malcolm Read of Christ Church Cathedral. Janine Theobald joined us as the Buddhist board member when Thomas Hunsberger was also forced by a busy life to step down. Jewish member Neal Wasser has been travelling outside the country for much of the year; Shoshana Litman of Congregation Emanu-El has therefore graciously accepted to serve in that capacity.

We’re very happy to welcome these wonderful new members who bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the Board, and warmly thank outgoing members for their services!

Current board members are listed on the contact page of this website.