Vision
To learn from one another, to celebrate our unity in diversity, and to work respectfully together for the well-being of the community and the world.
Mission
- To foster an environment of trust between people of different faith traditions, where open and respectful dialogue can take place;
- To promote collective and co-operative action that fosters intellectual understanding and social interaction, facilitating practical application of wisdom arising from each spiritual community.
Board of Directors
VMS was formed in 2006, incorporated in 2011 and has charitable status. Board terms are normally four years, with a possible extension of 2 years. Board meetings are held monthly, with AGMs held towards the end of each year. In May 2021, VMS named Sheila Flood as its first Executive Director, following 2 terms as the Bahá’í board member in 2006 and 2015. The Victoria Multifaith Society Board currently includes the following directors:
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- Fletcher Bennett, Bahá’í seat – Treasurer
- Rabbi Harry Brechner, Jewish seat
- John Carter, Indigenous Spirituality seat
- Reverend Canon Jeannine Friesen, Christian seat
- Reverend Lesia Kohut, New Thought, Non-Affiliated seat
- Bhavin Singh Nihang, Sikh seat
- Shrikant Shenwai, Hindu board seat
- May Shihadeh, Muslim seat – Chair
- Currently Open, Buddhist board seat
VMS AGM Annual Report Nov. 6 2016 final
Contact
To be added to the VMS email notification list or for other inquiries, contact victoriamultifaith@gmail.com
History
In 2001, representatives of several faith communities began to meet regularly, organizing multi-faith gatherings at the Cadboro Bay United Church, and street festivals near St. John’s the Divine Anglican and First Metropolitan United Church. Included in these gatherings were Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Bahá’í, Buddhist, Unitarian and several other faith communities. The response was extraordinary and the need for a formal association was evident.
At a meeting held in April, 2006, at the Interfaith Chapel at UVic, a Board of Directors was elected, and a series of Objectives were adopted. The name Victoria Multifaith Society was chosen. Soon after, we entered discussions with the World Inter-Faith Education Association (BC), an organization with similar objectives which adopted VMS although it was winding down its other activities. VMS was incorporated in 2011 and has charitable status.
Membership in VMS was and is open to individuals who share in the vision and objectives of the society. It is hoped that the witness and work of the society will lead to greater understanding, co-operation and respect for all in our region.
A Sampling of Past Events
(see also posts on our Home page)
- In February 2016, a Family Faith Fair was held in honour of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week with over 150 attending. Eight world faiths had colourful fair exhibits at Cadboro Bay United Church, The Fair also featured a World Café, First Nations dancer Amanda Edward, a report by Dr Sabine Lehr on the refugee sponsorship effort in Victoria, keynote speaker Dan Vaillancourt on “The Soul of Education”, multicultural dances from India and the Philippines, and storytelling. Over $900 was raised for the CBUC’s Syrian refugee sponsorship program.
- 14 October 2015: The Spirit of Health Project, operating under the VMS banner, presented “The Art of Mental and Spiritual Self-Care Forum & Fair” which was sponsored and funded by the UVic Student Mental Health Initiative.
- In May of each year, VMS participates in the World Partnership Walk organized by the Aga Khan Foundation, for charitable projects aimed at “the poorest of the poor”.
- One Spirit, Celebrating Our Faiths Together is a multifaith arts-based devotional and East Indian meal, hosted by VMS and the Hindu Parishad and Cultural Centre in Saanichton, held each September.
- Lunch & Learn: Several series of Lunch & Learn have been hosted by VMS and Christ Church Cathedral from Noon to 1 p.m. weekly, dedicated to learning about world faiths.
- The 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was commemorated in 2008 with a multi-cultual, multi-faith program attended by about 150 people. Venue: Cadboro Bay United Church.
- A Family Faith Fair was held in January 2010, in honour of World Religion Day, with a multi-cultural, multi-faith program, keynote speaker, World Café, and activities for all ages.
- Joint projects were held over several years with the Inter-Cultural Association (ICA) to promote interfaith dialogue and sharing. These included Open Houses hosted by various faith groups, storytelling, and multicultural meals.
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A multifaith book club studied the major faiths, each over a 3-month period, through selected literature. (2007-2008).
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Learning Circles, 2007, studied one Faith per month, with presenters giving 45 minute overviews followed by questions and answers.