O
ur world has become a global village. No longer do we need to go to “exotic” lands to encounter the splendor of the Faith Traditions of humankind. Our cities, villages and neighborhoods are now populated with the peoples of the World. This rich and emerging diversity of experiences, ideas, and people creates a fertile opportunity for conversation, understanding, cooperation, and peace-making.Our mission is to provide home and local-based education programs to persons and groups interested in developing or enhancing their appreciation of the faith traditions of the world.
We design introductory programs to help participants cope with inherited stereotypes, innocent misunderstandings, embarrassing questions or general knowledge of the many faith traditions of humankind.
We will provide contact information for those who would like to meet people from the various faith traditions and perhaps visit their places of worship.
The InTerfaITh
Peace ProjecT
People of Faith
There will be no peace among the
nations without peace among the
religions. There will be no peace
among the religions without
dialogue among the religions.
To cultivate transformative peace through engagement based on awareness and respect for the past, present and future generations.
Simple and Sustainable Spirituality.
Tri-Valley Center
Livermore, CA Directors:
Rev. Leah Grace & Beth Maxwell-Styles Evergreen Center Pine Grove, CA Directors: Melissa & Phil Granchi
The InTerfaITh
Peace ProjecT cenTers
Simple and Sustainable Spirituality. Tri-Valley Center Livermore, CA Directors:
Rev. Leah Grace & Beth Maxwell-Styles
To water peace with gratitude and courage. We are what you need us to be.
cenTers of Peace
where all are welcome
Antioch Center
Antioch, CA Director: June M. Kirk
San Francisco Peace Center
summary of The work
InTerfaITh connecTIons *
This is a home and local based educational outreach designed to help participants cope with inherited stereotypes, innocent misunderstandings, embarrassing questions, or general knowledge of the many faith traditions of humankind.
DIalogue wITh InTerfaITh frIenDs *
We engage in on-going conversations with individuals from all ranks of life who are deeply committed to fostering interfaith peace through mutual understanding. We are deeply influenced by these important dialogues and the wisdom they provide for the ongoing development of our work.
sacreD VIsITs *
Sacred Visits are guided experiences to locally diverse places of worship reflecting the beauty and sacredness of the world faith traditions. These visits are designed to promote peace and unity through better understanding of other faith traditions.
InTrafaITh ProjecT *
Participants engage in a series of meetings, conversations, projects, and experiments in the pursuit of developing a deeper knowledge of what might constitute the essential elements of an authentic Interfaith Spirituality. This program offers a powerful preparation for engaging in conversations with persons of differing faith traditions.
The InTerPaTh ProjecT *
The InTernaTIonal Day of Peace
We co-sponsor diverse activities commemorating the United Nations International Day of Peace each September 21st.
"If we can keep peace for twenty-four hours, we can keep peace for a lifetime!"
—George D’Angelo, Ph.D., founder of the International Day of Peace in 1982.
InTernaTIonal women's Day
Our first observance of International Women’s Day March 8, 2015, marked a turning point in our work here at The Interfaith Peace Project. Our celebration involved many dedicated people who sang and danced their way into our hearts. We have decided to integrate the wisdom and challenge of that initial observance into our daily life, work and consciousness.
Peace Pole InITIaTIVe
We are committed to the long-held tradition of establishing Peace Poles in communities and homes to raise peacemaking consciousness among as many people as possible.
The “o” sTreeT ProjecT
The “O” Street Project is a simple, humble outreach to persons who are the victims of homelessness. We provide a sack lunch, personal greetings, and support to people who live on the streets. The men, women and children we meet are from diverse communities of faith. Their gratitude transforms our work helping us to realize how important it is for people of faith to be people of justice.
InTerfaITh Prayer serVIces
We offer interfaith prayer services at various locations. We can also help you establish a personal interfaith prayer practice.
InTerfaITh sPIrITual DIrecTIon
DIalogue wITh InTerfaITh Teens & young aDulTs
We stand with the World Interfaith Community seeking practical means by which our teens and young adults can claim the right to live in peace and harmony. We offer various opportunities, in a safe environment, for them to discuss their interfaith inquiry and wisdom and be respectfully heard. We will become more and more attentive to the voices of our teens and young adults whose insights and wisdom will bless us all. mInIsTerIal suPPorT ouTreach
We offer practical reviews of life and ministry for participants who desire to realize the scope and significance of their interfaith and peacemaking involvement.
The recoVery of women’s VoIce In ancIenT TexT & conTemPorary socIeTy
The recovery of the voice of the feminine makes possible the recognition of the dignity of both men and women as together we struggle to bless our world with peace, compassion, and healing justice. We seek to discover, hear, and celebrate the voice of women in ancient texts and contemporary society.
The sTuDy of relIgIon & VIolence
Religion is often misused in the pursuit of prejudice, stereotyping, and violence. Our ongoing study explores the causes of such misuse as we seek remedies that are practical and immediate. We are especially concerned with “sacred” writings that are used to support the domination of women and children. Our Study seeks to empower people to take charge of their lives in the pursuit of their human dignity. The BeloVeD scrIPTure ProjecT
This lovely program reflectively presents and ponders important and beloved texts from the World religious and cultural traditions.
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sacreD VIsITs Program
Sacred Visits are guided experiences to locally diverse places of worship reflecting the beauty and sacredness of the world faith traditions. We offer visits for “groups” of one or more to Mosques; Synagogues; Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Sikh Temples; Baha’i and Quaker Meetings; Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Churches; and Wiccan Gatherings.
Sacred Visits are designed to promote peace and unity through better understanding of other faith traditions. As we meet and interact with people from other faith traditions, we open our hearts toward all. As we open our hearts toward the other, we deepen our faith and act in service of all.
The PhIlosoPhy
The spiritual/faith traditions of any particular people testify to the wisdom and strength of that people as they consider the complex dimensions of life.
Our project claims the religious traditions of any particular community as part of the collective wisdom of the worldwide human community. This claim is respectful in nature recognizing the sacredness of each tradition. The “claiming” is done with utmost respect and reverence. There is no attempt at harmonization, reduction, or syncretism. Each tradition is upheld with esteem and gratitude.
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InTerfaITh connecTIons
Programs & worKsHoPs
We develop educational opportunities tailored to your individual circumstances. Examples of current offerings include:
• Introduction to the Religions of the World • The American Religious Experience • The Rise of Fundamentalism
• The Possibility for Interfaith Spirituality • The Interfaith Practice of Jesus
• The Interfaith Practice of Historic Religious Leaders • The Intrafaith Project for Deep and Creative Dialogue • Christian Ecumenism
The size of any group depends on the space you provide. Living rooms, community rooms, hotel conference rooms, or meeting halls in places of worship can serve as excellent venues.
As religious and spiritual persons we base our lives on an Ultimate Reality, and draw spiritual power and hope therefrom, in trust, in prayer or meditation, in word or silence. We have a special responsibility for the welfare of all humanity and care for the planet Earth. We do not consider ourselves better than other women and men, but we trust that the ancient wisdom of our religions can point the way for the future. — Global Ethics, Council Of The Parliament Of The World’s Religions
September 4, 1993
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DIalogue wITh InTerfaITh
frIenDs Program
The DIalogue In conVersaTIon
community centers to enhance their appreciation of the religious heritage of humankind. Your very kind participation in this conversation blesses our efforts to contribute to world peace through religious understanding and peacemaking.
The aPProach
Participants in the Interfaith Dialogue journey upon a road whose destination is the journey itself. Religions as such do not meet one another. Persons meet. Participants are not representing a faith tradition as an ambassador of good will. They are meeting one another in the depth of their mind, heart, soul, and person. Every person is a unique expression of faith, piety, devotion, or ethical philosophy. Religious systems are abstractions born out of the real experiences of actual persons. Somewhere in our past, we emerged from a community of believers for whom the symbols, stories, myths, rites, and culture of that particular religion created a system of meaning. Even if one were to share the “objective” teaching of a given tradition, they would do so autobiographically. There is no way to speak without engaging the spiritual and psychological “muscles” opening one’s heart. Two hearts meet creating a sacred space called trust invigorated by courage and forged by deep personal respect for one another.
PrIncIPles for DIalogue
• Dialogue with others is a matter of mutual blessing for all participants. The discussion itself must be “prayerful”, not simply framed by prayers. • Participants in the dialogical conversation treasure the opportunity to
learn from one another.
• Honesty about issues must consider the well-being, emotions, and dignity of all participants.
• Listening must be active. We hear what is said with focused attention on who is speaking. We let go of the temptation to defend or offend.
• Forgiveness and healing must be the order of the day.
• Participants summarize by revealing what they have heard realizing that something else may have been said or meant. This affords the opportunity for participants to clarify and explain their various positions.
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The InTrafaITh ProjecT
Dialogue with others begins in the depth of the heart. Dialogue with others invites us to the depths of ourselves. Our conscience, symbolized in the language of the heart, is by nature open and by life experience more or less traumatized. We begin our work with honest discussions stemming from the truth of ourselves as we prepare to encounter others in the depth of dialogue.
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The InTerPaTh ProjecT
The Interpath Project is the result of the experiences we have encountered in The Interfaith Peace Project. The Interpath Project unfolds as more and more people participate in the program. As suggested in the principles, the pathways of the various faith, religious, cultural, and philosophical traditions are open ended. The destination is the journey. The uncertainty of the future need not be the reason for anxiety but the cause for creativity and humane perspectives in the midst of adversity.
The Interpath Project is designed to evolve and grow with insights from participants who are interested in the future of religion, spirituality, and the well-being of the World. Engagement in these programs promotes personal insight, growth, and transformation for the sake of others and the World. A typical program explores the Interpath Principles and their consequences encouraging dynamic and open discussion.
Painting by Valery Wolf
Artist, Friend and Advisor to The Interfaith Peace Project Cofounder of The InterPath Project
+++++++ And what have you lost ???
Everything !
And what have you gained ??? Everything !
And what have you learned ??? Everything !
unIVersal Prayer With praise and thanksgiving, we cry out to you Holy One, Our God, The God of Infinite Names and Images
We comprehend you,
only with the desires of our hearts to seek you. For the beauty of this journey of life, we humbly lift the song of our hearts in praise.
We honor your strong love. We praise your holy compassion. We seek your mysterious holiness. We long for your enduring presence.
To love you is to serve one another.
We pledge to do so in the splendor of this moment. We join with all creation as we praise you. We dance with all creatures as we love you. We sing with everything living as we honor you.
We bow before you in the stirring of the wind. We bless you in the out-pouring of the rain. We exclaim you in the brightness of the sun. We seek you in the night of moon and stars. We rest within you in the quiet of our nights.
We savor your blessings of all in the gentleness of our humble prayer.
We love you, Holy One, our God! We love you in all that is.
Rev. Andrea Goodman
President of the Board of Directors San Francisco Center Director
(415) 517-1646 [email protected]
Patricia Black
Treasurer of the Board of Directors
June M. Kirk
Secretary of the Board of Directors Antioch Center Director
(925) 325-0144 [email protected]
Rev. Leah Grace Maxwell-Styles
Board Member Tri-Valley Center Director
Melissa Granchi
Board Member Evergreen Center Director
Rev. Patrick Davis
Board Member Interfaith Outreach
Lonnie Bristow, MD
Board Member Emeritus Peace Pole Coordinator
Rev. Margaretmary Staller
Coordinator Dialogue with Leaders
Susan Batterton
Communications Director
Edith M. Corbin
Founder and Coordinator The “O” Street Project
Karen Oliver
The “O” Street Project Outreach
Walter Ruehlig
Special Events Coordinator
Randy Thomas Interfaith Outreach [email protected] Michael Minton Interfaith Outreach [email protected] Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P. Executive Director (925) 787-9279 [email protected]
To arrange a Visit or Program please contact June M. Kirk
925-303-9879 The Interfaith Peace Project
640 Bailey Road #301 Pittsburg, CA 94565 www.interfaithpeaceproject.org [email protected] www.facebook.com/interfaithpeace www.twitter.com/interfaithpeaceproject
Programs are offered at no charge. Donations gratefully accepted.
The Interfaith Peace Project is a non-profit 501(c)(3) program copyright march 2020 Thomas P. Bonacci, c.P.
