Multifaith Family Fair a Success!

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.DSC05285 DSC05439

VMS Family Faith Fair

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

poster-family-faith-fair-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 2nd 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

Spirit of Health event 14 Oct. 2015

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 14th, 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.

New Board Elected

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.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AUG. 9, 2015

Victoria Multifaith Society Annual General Meeting

The Annual General meeting which took place at the Ismaili Jamtkhana Centre was adjourned to:

August 9, 2015
Place: First Unitarian Church of Victoria, 5575 West Saanich Road, Victoria BC, opposite the Red Barn.
Time: 2 -4pm.

We now have a full list of nominees for the seats which are becoming vacant on the Board except for the First Nations position, if anyone has a suggestion for that position please contact us at: victoriamultifaith@gmail.com

If any change takes place in the location of the event, notification will be given.

We are looking forward to seeing you at this event.

Three Tours Bring Victoria’s Jewish History to Life

Thursdays @ 1 pm in June, July and August, 2015:
Tour Congregation Emanu-el Synagogue
$10 Adults; free for children under 12

Thursdays @ 2-3:30 pm in June, July and August, 2015:
Tour Jewish Victoria @ a leisurely pace
$15 for Adults; $13 for Students/Seniors
$2.00 discount for taking both tours

For these tours meet at Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, 1461 Blanshard Street, Victoria

Sunday @ 2 p.m. on June 28, 2015:
Tour B.C.’s oldest surviving cemetery
Led by local historian, John Adams
$5; $2 for Old Cemeteries Society Members

Meet at the cemetery gates at the corner of Fernwood Rd and Cedar Hill for the cemetery tour. Please bring a ceepah or hat (required for men and boys, optional for women and girls).

For information or to book a private tour please contact:
Synagogue tours: stories@maggidah.com
Walking tours: www.discoverthepast.com
Cemetery tours: oldcem@pacificcoast.net 

 

Victoria Multifaith Society Annual General Meeting

Dear Members and Friends,

Victoria Multifaith Society will be holding the Annual General Meeting this year on
SUNDAY, JULY 5TH. from 2 – 4PM
at the ISMAILI JAMATKHANA social hall – 1250 Esquimalt Rd.

The keynote speaker will be Karima Ramji, Manager, International Programs UVic Co-op and Career.

Karima Ramji will probably speaking about the recent opening of the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa and it’s objectives to promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity in ethnicity, religion and culture as a strength to build upon. She will also highlight recent speeches given at the opening by the Aga Khan and Justice McLachlin.

We hope that many of you will be able come to this event.

Shan-e-Punjab

Shan-e-Punjab
Dance, Performing Arts & Heritage School

University of Victoria
Sunday May 10, 2015 at 3:00pm

Year end youth talent cultural showcase celebrating
22 years and Visakhi

Tickets: www.uvic.ca/auditorium or 250-721-8480
Information: shan.e.punjab1993@gmail.com
or telephone at 250-686-3825

Adults $13    Seniors $10    Students $8

See link below for poster:
May 10, 2015 Pride of Shan~e~Punjab Youth Cultural Showcase

The Group as a Creative Community

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Others,

We are inviting you to attend a three-day workshop: The Group as a Creative Community. The workshop will be directed by internationally recognized Artist and Gestalt Counselor, Gianni Capitani. This will be Gianni’s second time in Canada and we are extremely fortunate to have the chance to be part of an event directed by him.

For many of us, the rigours and demands of daily life leave us feeling tired and rigid, our creativity ignored. Gianni has more than 20 years of experience helping people awaken this creativity within and find a new appreciation of life and love by guiding them to a spiritual connection through art and movement. This workshop is a unique opportunity to experience how we can:

  • give form to words and ideas through movement, repose, sound and silence
  • find new ways to use colour, writing and space
  • embody our spirituality through creativity and nature
  • rediscover our sacred spontaneity

“As a therapist and counsellor, I highly recommend this course for anyone in the healing/helping professions. In my own case, Gianni’s workshop was pivotal to my growth into Gestalt and counselling. Playfully creative, the workshop opened my eyes and heart in ways I had not expected,” – Gabriela Garcia Yanez.

“When I was a kid I always liked to draw and paint, but I had pretty much left that behind in my childhood. After my first workshop with Gianni, I reconnected with my creativity and was able to see it in a new way, as this reconnection awakened in me a spirituality that had also been dormant. The work with Gianni was both fun and transformative.” – Tom Hunsberger

Gianni Capitani was born in Rome in 1949. He has fine arts degrees from the Liceo Artistico de Roma and the Accademia di Belle Arti, also in Rome. He received a diploma in Gestalt Counseling from the Gestalt Institute of Florence, Italy. In 1993, Gianni founded the Fenix Centre for the Development of Human Potential. He is a member of the Italian Counseling Association and has taught in the School of Art Therapy at the University of Rome as well as in other universities in Italy, Spain and Mexico. He has conducted workshops throughout Italy, Spain and Mexico. Since 1990 Gianni has collaborated with the SAT program, directed by Dr. Claudio Naranjo.

From 1978 to the present, Gianni Capitani has had numerous exhibitions of his artistic work in Italy, Spain and Mexico.

The workshop will be held in May 1st to 3rd of this year.  Prices given below include the workshop facilitation with supplies, accommodation and meals.

Registration $300,  Students and Teachers and Members of the VMFS and CNS $200.

Friday May 1, 5-9 pm
Saturday May 2, 10 am-8 pm
Sunday May 3, 1-7 pm 

Cost: $ 300
VMFS & CNSHT Members $ 200

Venue: Church of Truth
111 Superior Street in James Bay
Info: 250 883 8840   Gabriela G. Yanez

www.SATCanada.org
For any questions, please sent me an email and I will gladly respond it:
Gabriela@DewachenHealingCentre.com

RAINDANCE FESTIVAL

The Claudio Naranjo Society for Human Transformation
&
The Victoria Multi Faith Society
&
The Indo-Canadian Cultural Association
present:

Raindance Festival

An amazing evening filled with music, classical and
regional folk dances, Bhangra dance, Bollywood
performances, Latin dance and many more
contemporary talents.

For Donations, Sponsorship, Enquiries and Tickets,
email: info@SATCanada.org
Call: Dr. Ashok Agarwal: 250 384 1521
Tom Hunsberger: 778 977 0504 * Gabriela 250 883 8840

Friday April 24th, 2015 from 7 – 10 PM
Tickets: $15, (children below 5 are free)
Venue: Mary Winspear Centre
2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney