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.

What happens when Jewish, Muslim and Christian kids attend a summer camp in London, Ontario? Find out as Ahlulbayt TV brings you first-hand experiences of the young campers attending the London Interfaith Peace Camp. Interfaith work doesn’t stop there. London’s Mayor and two City Councillors also attended the camp as an interfaith team of Chistianity, Judaism and Islam emphasizing the importance of embracing Canada’s growing diversity. In a world often filled with challenges and uncertainty, “Peace, Salam, Shalom” will certainly inspire viewers to plant the seeds of friendship and understanding from a very young age. Kindly send your feedback to toronto@ahlulbayt.tv. Enjoy the documentary: Peace, Salam, Shalom at https://youtu.be/MpYJq69Lif8

Congratulations to the organizers of the World Partnership Walk, 2016! The weather was great, the crowd joyful, and all ages had fun contributing to this worthy cause. We’re very happy to announce that a total of $1160. was raised on the VMS Team Page.

VMS at World Partnership Walk 2016

World Partnership Walk 

Join the Victoria Multifaith Society Team!

SUNDAY 29 MAY, 2016, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: University of Victoria – Petch Fountain Square by Library, Ring Rd, , Victoria, BC V8W 3H5 Canada

Join our Victoria Multi-faith Society team for the World Partnership Walk campaign and help us end global poverty.

The World Partnership Walk is Canada’s largest annual event dedicated to raising funds and increasing awareness to fight global poverty.  It’s a fantastic opportunity to engage our communities and networks in an important cause.  The money we raise together will support Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s international development projects in Asia and Africa to enable families and communities to lift themselves out of poverty through access to quality education, life-saving health services, food security and improved livelihoods.

We are looking to grow our team and boost the positive impact we can make in our global community. Together, we have a valuable opportunity to be a force of change.  Join us and let’s make a difference!

Sincerely,

Ali Hemani
Chair, Victoria Multi-faith Society

Click here to view the team page for Victoria Multi-faith Society

Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue tours

Synagogue tours will be taking place every Thursday afternoon beginning June 2 to August 25 starting at 1:00 pm at Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, 1461 Blanshard Street, Victoria.  Cost:  $10 per adult (cash only); free for children under 12.  All the information is athttp://www.congregationemanuel.ca/tours.html

Private tours of 20 or more people can be booked for another day/time.  Groups of 20 or more can also enjoy a delicious Jewish style lunch before touring the synagogue (with advance notice), prepared with finesse by Marc Fagen of Veggie Fast Foods.

Community, Arts and Spiritual Values: Saturday, May 28th

Please join us for an inspiring presentation lined up for May 28^th as part of the Cook St. “Building the Future” free series of public talks sponsored by the Bahá’í Community of Victoria.

Community, arts and spiritual values: Challenging patterns of addiction, by Edward Epp, was developed across disciplines, drawing on professional and life experience as well as the influence of Bahá’í teachings.

Edward has been a practicing artist for more than forty years, and has taught art in post-secondary institutions in Liberia, Botswana, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. He is also a professional Counsellor. He has worked with youth in art-centered healing projects in Massett, Kitkatla, Malahat, Halalt and Pennelkut.

The talk will take place in the auditorium (please use the parking lot entrance), Cook St. Activity Centre, 380 Cook St., followed by Q&A, and refreshments. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the talk will begin at 7 p.m. All are welcome; there is no charge.

The Family Faith Fair held in honour of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week was a great success, with over 150 attending. Eight world faiths were represented at the colourful fair exhibits at Cadboro Bay United Church. The event raised awareness of the beauty and vitality of these faith communities and raised over $900 for the CBUC’s Syrian refugee sponsorship program.

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, storytelling and a closing dance circle.

Prizes were given to children for participation in a Scavenger Hunt at the Fair Table exhibits, and to adults who participated in the fundraiser.

There was a great spirit of unity, apparent in the joy and laughter of participants of all ages, and dedicated help of the many volunteers who made the event happen!

Photos and comments have been posted on the Facebook Event page.

1:30 p.m., Sunday, February 7th, 2016

World events remind us of the need to celebrate our unity in diversity, the positive power of faith, and the need to work together for the well-being of the community and the world.

The Victoria Multifaith Society has decided to combine World Interfaith Harmony Week with a fundraising effort for the Syrian refugee program, to welcome families who will be starting a new life here in Victoria.

The Family Faith Fair will take place at 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, February 7th, at Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Rd., during B.C. Family Day weekend. The event is free of charge, with a nominal fee for treats at the World Café. All donations to the refugee program will be rewarded with automatic entry in a Prize Draw for prizes of interest to the whole family.

In addition to the World Café, the event will feature multicultural dance performances and colourful exhibits by a wide variety of religions such as Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Unitarian, Sikh and Bahá’í. There will also be a keynote speech by educator Dan Vaillancourt on The Soul of Education, and talented storytellers with tales from different world faiths on generosity and compassion.

The event program will include a series of questions to be answered at the various exhibits, with each “full card” eligible for a 2^nd Prize Draw. Both draws are scheduled for the end of the program. Winners will choose from a variety of prizes as each winning entry is chosen for fundraiser donations and full cards.

Gifts include a gift certificate for Pagliacci’s Restaurant, tickets to the IMAX theatre and the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, and some great books from Bolen Books – thanks to our wonderful community supporters!

It’s hoped that as many people as possible will participate in this effort to support the refugees and provide a fun and educational activity for people of all ages, budgets, backgrounds and beliefs.

For further information or to volunteer at the event, please email victoriamultifaith@gmail.com

An independent multifaith team called Spirit of Health, operating under the VMS banner, put together an event on spirituality and mental health, which took place 5 p.m. Wed., October 14^th, 2015, at the University of Victoria.

“The Art of Mental and Spiritual Self-Care Forum & Fair” was sponsored and funded by the UVic Student Mental Health Initiative. Thanks to the many volunteers and exhibitors who assisted with the project, as well as our wonderful panelists and keynote speaker. Please see the links above for more information.

Interfaith resources developed for the event, e.g. on. universal spiritual principles, can be found here.

The Victoria Multifaith Society reformed at its Annual General Meeting in August, with 6 new members and 2 returning. The first meeting of the new Board was held in September, when officers were elected.

Board members are:

• Ali Hemani                   (Muslim)            Chairperson
• Sheila Flood                (Bahá’í)              Secretary
• Christine Johnson       (Unitarian)          Treasurer
• Sridevi Ganti               (Hindu)
• Thomas Hunsberger   (Buddhist)
• John Steele                 (Christian)
• Parminderjeet Virk       (Sikh)
• Neal Wasser                (Jewish)

Thanks go to the outgoing board members, Logan McMenamie, Sharon Welsh, Alan Dawson, Ashok Agarwal, Gabriela Yanez, and Jagir Virk. We continue to seek a board member for First Nations Spirituality; recommendations would be welcome.