VCIC will be participating in a virtual March for Peace and Justice on September 13th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. You can join us in eschewing hatred and oppression in the name of religion and in supporting freedom of worship and belief. To receive the Zoom link for this important event simply register at https://InterfaithMarchLA2020.eventbrite.com. For more information about speakers and musical presentations, email InterfaithMarchLA@gmail.com.
All posts by Tim Helton
The Meaning of Life part II
In July, the Ventura County Interfaith Community hosted a forum in which a Bahá’í, a Trinitarian Christian and a Jew addressed what their faiths had to say about the Meaning of Life. On September 24th at 7:00 PM, VCIC will revisit this theme with presentations by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a Muslim, and a Unitarian Universalist. During the forum, panelists will address the following questions:
- Why does the universe exist?
- Why does humanity exist?
- What is the meaning of life?
- What is the meaning of my life?
A question and answer session will follow the presentations. There is no cost for the forum, and we hope you will join us by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86375076296?pwd=b2tOeUx6eFgvYnNvczQzVmU3U0ppUT09. Alternatively, you can participate by telephoning 669.900.6833 and providing the meeting ID (863 7507 6296) and passcode (504141) when prompted.
Editor’s Note: Shanaaz Ali, Catherine Blickenstaff, and Betty Stapleford did a magnificent job discussing the Meaning of Life from the perspectives of the Islamic Community, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Unitarian Universalist Church. If you missed the forum or simply want to see it again, you can do so at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=676667192968342&extid=Fv6H7gsDHlZlHEgZ or https://youtu.be/c0dxZNVFYAA.
Introduction to Nichiren Buddhism
For its second edition of its virtual forum series, the Ventura County Interfaith Community is proud to present an Introduction to Nichiren Buddhism. This form of Mahayana as practiced by Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is now the largest Buddhist denomination in Japan and in many non-Buddhist countries. On August 27th at 7:00 p.m. James (Mick) Walsh, a local SGI leader with over four decades of practice will introduce you to this dynamic peace-oriented tradition.
Please plan on joining us via Zoom by pointing your browser to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85930942565?pwd=QUNucGo1SzBIUUd6VWNJMFFFMWxyZz09 or phoning 1.669.900.6833 and entering the meeting ID (859 3094 2565) and passcode (987989) when prompted.
Admission is free and all are welcome!
Editor’s Note: I thoroughly enjoyed Mick’s talk. If you missed it, or if you just want to see it again, you can do so via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=334218851292569&extid=SWCV6QSzAEOHrInO or via YouTube at https://youtu.be/3CRUrcs6eTE !
Forum on The Meaning of Life
Recently we conducted a survey to determine how we could continue to serve our constituency during the pandemic. Many respondents indicated an interest in topical forums and we are pleased to comply with a monthly series.
Our first one, via Zoom will take place on July 23rd at 7:00 PM. The topic for July 23rd will be the meaning of life. During the hour and a half allocated for this topic, a Christian, Jew, and Baha’i will address the following questions:
- Why did God create the universe?
- Why did God create humanity?
- What is the meaning of life?
- What is the meaning of my life?
You can participate in this forum via Zoom. Simply point your browser to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82097630299?pwd=MzI4N2J2WEM3ajI5RWtqK3RFak9uUT09 at the appointed time, or phone 669 900 6833 and enter the meeting ID (820 9763 0299) and password (453701) when prompted.
Curious about future programs? VCIC imagines that its second and third forum will pair a virtual visit to a worship service for a particular religion with an introduction to that religion, so stay tuned!
Editor’s Note: Dr. Daurio, Rabbi Lotker, and Arash Payan did a wonderful job representing Trinitarian Christianity, Judaism, and the Bahá’í faith. If you missed the presentation, or even if you just want to see it again, you can do so via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=315905916443077&extid=S8IGyAlAckYhpWe7 or via YouTube at https://youtu.be/hRnNrb4ff0Q !
Prayers and Quotes for a Troubled World
On March 31st, Irshad Ali suggested that we compile a list of prayers from various religious traditions. The list would be, in part, a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. I thought it was a great idea and so I solicited prayers and quotations from core members of the Ventura County Interfaith Community. Below are their responses:
In Troubled Times
Responsive Reading
By Rev. Stephen M Shick (Unitarian Universalist)
This resource can be read by a single reader, or responsively between a leader and the congregation.
From the loneliness of troubled times, we come
To discover that we are not alone.
Into the dwelling place of togetherness, we come
To collect remnants of hope.
From fear that all is lost, we come
To discover what will save us.
Into the comfort of each other’s arms, we come
To feel the strength that has not yet vanished.
From darkness, we come
To wait until our eyes begin to see.
Into the refuge of fading dreams, we come
To remove illusions and focus new visions.
From despair that walks alone, we come
To travel together.
Into the dwelling place of generations, we come
To pledge allegiance to being peace
and doing justice.
Submitted by Willie Lubka, Unitarian Universalist
Philippians 4:6 (New International Version)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Submitted by Tim McDonell, Evangelical Christian
A quote from Nichiren Daishonin
Just as flowers open up and bear fruit, just as the moon appears and invariably grows full, just as a lamp becomes brighter when oil is added, and just as plants and trees flourish with rain, so will human beings never fail to prosper when they make good causes.
Submitted by Rosalyn Wolin, Nichiren Buddhist
Psalm 23 (New International Version)
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Submitted by Tim Helton, Episcopalian
A quote from Habib Ali al-Jifri
“I asked my teacher and spiritual guide Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah (God) protect him): How do we reconcile between calmly relying upon Allah (God) and taking the means in confronting this pandemic?” He replied without hesitation: “Like growing a tree: you plant a seed and water it and take care of the tree as it grows but you rely completely upon Allah in attaining the fruit.”
Submitted by Irshad Ali, Muslim
A quote from Bukhari, Muslim narrated by Ayesha Radi Allahu anha
“O Allah (God)! Remove the harm, O Lord of humanity! Heal this ailment and You are the One Who heals. There is no healing except Yours, [Cure] with a healing which does not leave any disease behind”
Submitted by Irshad Ali, Muslim
A quote from Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah
“Show us you favor and save us from the torment of scorching winds, and protect us from epidemics and calmatives. We ask you for forgiveness and well-being. And may God’s blessings and salutations be upon our Master Muhammad, his family and companion.”
Submitted by Irshad Ali, Muslim
On Quaker Founder George Fox’s Memorial Tablet
“Let your lives speak.”
Submitted by the Conejo Valley Quaker Worship Group’s Convener, Percy Hicks-Severn
Pandemic written on March 11, 2020 by Rev. Lynn Unger
What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath— the most sacred of times? Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling. Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is. Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life. Center down. And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart. Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful. (You could hardly deny it now.) Know that our lives are in one another’s hands. (Surely, that has come clear.) Do not reach out your hands. Reach out your heart. Reach out your words. Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch. Promise this world your love– for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live.
Submitted by Betty Stapleford, Unitarian Universalist
A quote from Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
“Do not lose hope in adversity and complain that God singled you out for punishment, remitting others guilty of worse sins. Your present state could very well be His intent to elevate your spiritual station; or He could just be testing your faith. Every day that you preserve, you grow closer to perfection. Thus your present despair may be the beginning of an infinite blessing.”
Submitted by Irshad Ali, Muslim
VCIC Presents at the Catholic University Series
Once again, the Ventura County Interfaith Community is proud to present at the Catholic University Series
This year our interfaith panels will engage a ‘love your neighbor’ topic in support of a county-wide emphasis around that theme. Together, in two sessions each on its own night, we will explore the following questions:
- How do we express our love to our neighbors?
- How do we demonstrate our concerns in practical terms?
- What programs or activities does each faith foster?
- Can we do more together than separately?
- How can we reach out to one another to have the greatest impact?
- How and why should we share with other faiths?
The first session will take place at 7:30 PM on March 3rd at Sacred Heart, 10801 Henderson Rd., Ventura, CA 93004. Panelists for that session will include:
- Linda Lowe (Moderator) – Roman Catholic
- Betty Stapleford – Unitarian Universalist
- Arash Payan – Baha’i
- Michael Lotker – Jewish
- Mick Walsh – Nichiren Buddhist
The second session will occur at 7:30 PM on March 10 at St. Jude The Apostle, 32032 Lindero Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91361. Panelists that evening will include:
- Tim Helton (Moderator) – Episcopalian
- Angela Rockwood – Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints
- Tim Helton – Episcopalian presenting on Jainism
- Muhammed Shoyab Mehtar – Muslim
- Linda Lowe – Roman Catholic
Admission for either session is $8.00 which includes the option of bringing a guest at no cost. For more information on the series, see https://theuniversityseries.org/. Or click here to download a flyer.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Love Your Neighbor Weekend
| The Conejo Valley Interfaith Association, the Simi Valley Interfaith Council, and the Ventura County Interfaith Community are jointly sponsoring “Love Your Neighbor Weekend” from March 12-March 15, 2020. Love Your Neighbor is an interfaith program with participation from across religious traditions and people of moral conscience for a campaign of compassion. Our vision is of people from all walks of life joining together to proclaim the values of loving our neighbor, welcoming the stranger, and respecting the inherent dignity and worth of every person. We seek to transform our communities by replacing fear and intolerance with understanding and appreciation among all members of the human family regardless of race, religion, language, country of origin, or other perceived differences. Please visit www.loveyourneighbortoday.org for the program events and schedule or click here for an English language flyer or here for a Spanish Language flyer. We invite you to share the flyer and program information with your friends. We hope you will join with brothers and sisters of faith throughout the community in lifting up the theme of Love Your Neighbor in worship, religious education, ministries, and spiritual development. The powerful force of people of faith and good will, who are committed to living together in greater understanding, peace, and harmony, is needed more than ever. I hope you will join us. |
Young Adult Event
If you’re a young adult between the ages of 18-29 we invite you to join us for the first ever Ventura County Young Adults event.
The event will take place at Golf N’ Stuff at 6 pm on December 12th. Bring yourself, a friend, and $15 for a fun night out!
For any questions, contact Joe Zimmerly, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries at Mount Cross Lutheran in Camarillo (joe@mountcross.com).
We hope to see you there!
Come Join the Parade!
Come MARCH WITH US!
Join us in representing the Ventura County Interfaith Community during Camarillo’s annual Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 14, 8am-12noon!
Help us to create interfaith awareness in our community! Last year we had a couple dozen marchers, let’s DOUBLE that this year!!! Come represent YOUR faith organization, help us represent ALL faith organizations! Come, bring your family, bring your friends, bring your neighbors, all are welcome to join us!
If you are interested in marching with us, please:
- Email a reply to tim@timhelton.com
- Include your cell phone number
- Keep your eye out for further notification, one week before the parade, of line-up times:)
Hope to see you there!
Conejo Valley Interfaith Association
“Strengthen the Rising Generation”
Wednesday, November 27, 2019, 7:00 PM
Hosted by the Newbury Park Stake of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
35 South Wendy Drive, Newbury Park, California
Music by Our Interfaith Choir
We invite your family and friends to our Annual Thanksgiving Eve Service conducted by the Conejo Valley Interfaith Association, with music and speakers representing many local faith communities. All, especially youth and children, are welcome!
The event is a prayer service of diverse faiths and traditions, coming together in unity to give thanks for God’s generosity, and to provide help for our local needy and homeless brothers and sisters. The Conejo Valley Interfaith Association supports Harbor House http://www.harborhouseto.org/ which will receive all voluntary contributions.