Great News! In case you haven’t heard…. the Arizona Interfaith Movement had a notable presence at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Toronto this November 1-7, 2018. We presented a workshop about “Experience Interfaith”, as a sample of our 13 plus years of experience at the Arizona Interfaith Movement. Handouts were shared at the event and are posted below, along with a few pictures. These will help anyone interested in doing their own Experience Interfaith, have a few handy “how to” tips and a Personal Action / Evaluation form.
Pictures – www.facebook.com/azifm
If you’d like to put on an EXPERIENCE Interfaith event, here are steps we use that might help you get started…
Initial Logistics
Set date and time
Secure location – deposit
Program
Designated program coordinator
Designated MC
Faith fair
Shofar/Blessings from different faiths
Sponsors acknowledged. This is free event
Announcements
Discussion circles
Guru ka Langar
Before leaving, group pictures taken
Fill out Evaluation sheet
Roving interviewer for live stream
Clean up
Faith Fair
Invite Interfaith groups to participate
Educational displays
Free literature
No proselytizing
Turban tying/shofar lessons
Discussion Circles
Designated moderator
Designated group facilitators
Designated recorders/ shout out presenters
Develop theme and questions
Instruct groups on process and sequence
After discussions, presenters share groups’ results
Guru ka Langar
Break down chairs after. Ask for help setting up mats and Langar serving items.
Participants asked to sit down and remove shoes.
Designated coordinator to contact 5-6 Sikh restaurant owners to bring different food dish each
Local Gurdwara provides serving pots/utensils
Mats/plates/utensils/napkins/water set up after discussion circles done
Invite servers. Local Gurdwaras request servers to participate
Food blessed and divided into serving containers
Servers distribute food
When finished, servers also collect trash from rows
Serving pots collected and taken to Gurdwara
Gurdwara clean up crew goes to Gurdwara to help with clean up
Event Planning
Detailed coordination meetings, at least six months before event
Participants
Interfaith group members
Local congregation members
College students
Local politicians
General public
PR
Website
Congregation announcements/bulletins
College announcements/bulletins
Social media
Print media
Livestream – 250,000 or more views on FB
Rentals
Event venue
Round dining tables/tablecloths
Chairs
Rectangular serving tables/tablecloths
Rectangular faith fair tables/tablecloths
AV equipment/sound system/music/mikes/stands
Stage
Set Up
Stage
Tables/tablecloths for faith fair
Round tables/tablecloths/chairs for elderly
Chairs in circles for discussions
Pick up Langar mats/bring to venue
Tables/tablecloths for Langar serving
AV for music/mikes
Trash bins/Recycling bins
Trash bags
Closing
MC makes closing remarks
Promotional materials passed out
Participants asked to help with clean up – mats/chairs/tables/trash etc.
Clean Up
Take Langar pots to Gurdwara
Roll up mats and take to storage
Stack chairs/tables/stage for pick up. Empty trash
END
Personal Action / Evaluation of Event – Take aways to keep the good work going form
Personal Action Sheet – How will you implement the Golden Rule to bring civility & peace to your local community?
Directions: Please fill out form below. Keep lower copy for yourself and turn in the top part for the AZ Interfaith Movement. (Be creative & keep it simple! There is no wrong answer. Start with a smile, learning something new, or helping a neighbor. Don’t worry your name will not be shared…….…………but please share your action! )
As you return to your daily routines, what actions could you take to help carry the energy from this Experience Interfaith event forward?
I will live the Golden Rule by. . . .
- Come to Experience Interfaith 2019!!
Here are a few pictures to enjoy – the Sikhs provided a beautiful and bountiful Langar meal each day at the Parliament and WOW, it was enjoyed!
