We also share and network with programs from the Multifaith Collaborative of the Open Spirit​ Center of Framingham, Peace Islands Institute and The Nejaf Islamic Center
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What Spiritual Story Will You Write

We wanted to share the work of Katie Gordon, who is doing interesting things in the nontraditional dialogue of spirituality across and within the borders of religion, a real challenge for traditional faiths and one we do well to be part of. Check out her latest on Tiny Letters.

Temple Beth Torah Prepares for the High Holy Days

Our friends at Temple Beth Torah in Holliston are preparing for the High Holy Days that Jews all over the world immerse themselves in. Let's pray for them that these days will be a time of blessing and happiness.
Rabbi Mimi invites our non-Jewish friends to a celebration of Tashlich, a water ceremony of reconciliation for Rosh Hashana that recounts our wrongdoings with promises to make it right for the new year. It takes place September 17 at 5 p.m. at Lake Winthrop in Holliston.

For more info
September 15 to 23 | 2:30 and 7:30pm | Groton, MA

Ruth: The Classic Biblical Narrative of Love and Redemption: An original musical adaptation by David MacAdam of the 8th book of the Old Testament. The classic biblical narrative of Ruth sings of love and redemption.

Brought to life on stage by New Life Fine Arts Musical Theater for the first time in 1998 and last produced at Medford’s Chevalier Theater in 2005. From New England to Israel, wherever this spectacular drama has been performed, it has impacted audiences with the beautiful story of the Kinsman Redeemer, inspiring all kinds of people to place their trust in the Keeper of the Promises.

Ruth: The Classic Biblical Narrative of Love and Redemption – UniteBoston
Susan Nolan, one of our dialogue partners from the Baha'i faith, is organizing a special interfaith prayer event together with her interfaith friends. All are welcome anytime. Contact Susan for more information here. The gathering can found here.

Season of Creation with Pope Francis

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​From the Catholic Church, The Season of Creation is an interfaith celebration of God's creation. It starts on September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.

This year's theme is "Listen to the voice of creation." The Season of Creation is a special time for all peoples to pray and work together to care for our common home. Pope Francis' first document on this is Care for Our Common Home. October 4: A follow-up document to consider contemporary climate issues in Season of Creation will be available.

Download Care for our Common Home

New Interfaith Project to Reach Out to Ukrainian War Refugees in Framingham

PictureYuhliia just arrived to her new apartment from Ukraine, via Poland. Her husband and cat will follow next month. Susan Nolan and Fr. Carl Chudy are pictured with her who helped coordinate efforts with the Interfaith Refugee Committee.

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​Collaborating with Jewish Family Services, the Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project is looking to organize an Interfaith Refugee Committee to assist in efforts with Ukrainian war refugees in Framingham. If you would like to join, please contact us for more information
Interested in joining in or donating? Let us know!

Ways We Can Help Ukraine

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We come together as peoples of different faiths and secular points of view to protest, pray, and act in justice over the blatant and unjustified invasion of Russian troops into the sovereign nation of Ukraine. As we gather in prayer, we also would suggest other ways we may help the people of Ukraine. Below are a few possibilities.

Charity organizations are offering a wide range of support for those affected by the war. Here are a few that have received high marks (three to four stars) from Charity Navigator, which assesses groups’ efficiency, transparency and other factors.
  • ​Donations through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Eastern Europe Crisis Response.
  • Donations the Catholic Relief Service.
  • Global Giving supports non-profits around the world through crowdfunding. Its Ukrainian crisis relief fund is working toward a goal of $7m to provide food, water, shelter and other assistance to refugees.
  • ​​Direct Relief is working to fulfill a list of medical needs provided to the organization by Ukraine’s health ministry.
  • For local media in Ukraine, you can support the English-language Kyiv Independent and the New Voice of Ukraine directly. There is also a GoFundMe page to support Ukrainian media more broadly as journalists risk their safety.
  • An array of Resources to help Ukrainian refugees, especially those who cross the Polish border.
  • ​Nova Poshta Global launches the Humanitarian Nova Poshta project — to help the Ukrainian defenders and people in need. We collect humanitarian aid from international organizations and volunteers all around the world.
  • Download the Peace in Ukraine Dove below, designed by Russian designer Natasha Alimova. She created this icon of peace using shapes from the national symbol of Ukraine. The logo is free to use for any purpose. It can be posted on windows, reproduced on t-shirts, and many more uses.
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Here are some pics from our Candlelight Vigil for Ukraine. More resources for helping Ukraine will be posted as more efforts are organized on the ground. Let's continue our prayer, action, and advocacy.
Download below a Ukrainian prayer used during our prayer vigil and an interfaith compilation of prayers for peace.
ukraineprayer.docx
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interfaith-prayers-of-peace.pdf
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Statement of Support for our Jewish Neighbors after the Latest Attack on Members of the Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas

The two links above are: Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project and Rabbi Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel

Responding to Racist, Homophobic, and Antisemitic Incidents in the Local Public Schools

​In light of recent racist, homophobic, and antisemitic  incidences in the public schools of the town of Holliston, school and town officials, along with local religious leaders have been in dialogue about responding with opportunities for community forums in town. The Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project, with members deeply involved, will be publishing a statement in this regard and providing online listening sessions during the week of November 14. 
We are holding a listening session for all those who wish to share their own thoughts and prayers in light of these hateful incidences. Join us November 17, Wednesday at 7 pm. Contact us for the zoom link.

Active Bystander's Training 

The Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project is collaborating with The Jewish Family Services and Open Spirit Interfaith Center to offer Active Bystander's Training to faith communities and other organizations and individuals. Using the Quabbin Mediation Model, the Training Active Bystanders (TAB) program helps participants recognize when they are bystanders, analyze situations, and evaluate the consequences for everyone involved. TAB heightens bystanders’ power. It teaches how bystanders can interrupt harm-doing and generate positive actions by others. Active bystandership does not mean aggression against the harm doer. It means taking responsible action to help people in need instead of remaining passive and becoming complicit. Bystanders gain the competencies they need if they decide to take action when they witness something they feel is unfair, or wrong, or troubling.

Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project in the Local News

Dialogue that Crosses Faiths

Twelve members of faith organizations in MetroWest, including Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, work on a regular basis to make their communities more inclusive. They called it the MetroWest Interfaith Dialogue Project (MIDP).
“Our hope is to the honor the religious and nonreligious diversity of our communities and neighborhoods by creating an interfaith community within communities of different faiths. We focus on three goals: Foster opportunities to come together in order to come to know one another and the faiths that inspire us; Gain insight on how much we share in common through our faiths and values; Discover how interfaith dialogue and action can make a difference in our communities and neighborhoods and helps us all flourish together,” he said.
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