January Dialogue: "What Do You Want to Know about Christianity?"

The Brookings Interfaith Council will next meet at 6:30 pm on January 23, 2014, at the Islamic Society of Brookings (724 11th Avenue). Join us for a potluck, followed by discussion around "What Do You Want to Know about Christianity?"

This will be a special opportunity for non-Christians to ask Christians questions about Christianity. What have you wanted to know about the Christian faith but never had the opportunity to ask (or been afraid to)? Here are some sample questions that might help you identify your own:

• What is the Christian view of the Bible?
• What are denominations? 
• What is baptism?
• Do all Christians think Jesus was God?
• How do Christians regard non-Christians?
• What is communion?
• How do Christians account for the presence of evil and suffering in God's world?
• What does it mean to be a Christian?
• Is the United States a Christian nation?
• What is the crucifixion? The resurrection? The ascension?
• Is Christianity a religion of peace? Are Christians nonviolent?
• What is an "evangelical Christian"?
• What kind of God do Christians believe in?
• What are the major Christian holidays?
• Who leads the church? Who has authority?
• What do Christians believe happens after death?
• What is salvation?

Bring a dish to share if you're able, or just bring yourself and a friend. Table service will be provided.

Come to "Festivals of Faith & Light"

The Brookings Interfaith Council invites you to "Festivals of Faith & Light," a lively celebration of the significance of "light" across faith traditions and especially during special religious days or seasons. Light is essential to the Christian observance of Advent and Christmas, Judaism's Chanukah, Hinduism's Diwali, and more.

"Festivals of Faith & Light" will be held on Thursday, December 5, at 6:30pm in the Cooper Room of the Brookings Public Library. It will include a potluck of traditional festive or holiday foods and the sharing of interfaith stories about light.

In advance of this event, we also want to encourage you to attend the first public lighting of a menorah in Brookings, in observance of Chanukah. The menorah-lighting will be held on Wednesday, December 4, at 6:30pm, on Main Street next to Nick's Hamburgers. Come if you can to learn more about the Jewish faith and to support Jewish members of our community.

Then, at our event on Thursday night, please bring one of your favorite holiday dishes to pass, if you're able, or just show up. And invite a friend! We look forward to your presence at this festive gathering.

You're Invited to the City's First Public Menorah Lighting

The Brookings Interfaith Council heartily encourages you to attend this significant event.

 

Reminder: Campus Discussion of the "Three Religions of the Book"

Just a reminder that South Dakota State's Briggs Library will host a program and discussion on understanding Judaism, Christianity and Islam (the three "religions of the book") on Tuesday, November 19, at 7:00 pm, in the Archives and Special Collection Room on the second floor. 

This program will focus on the book Children of Abraham by F.E. Peters. Humanities scholar Ahrar Ahmad, Professor of Political Science at Black Hills State University, will introduce the topic and lead the discussion.

Briggs Library has copies of the book available on reserve for two-week check-out, and copies are also available at the Brookings Public Library.

This event is made possible by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Join Us for a Potluck & Film Next Wednesday

The Brookings Interfaith Council will join with the Common Good Film Series to screen "The Cup," an award-winning feature film, on Wednesday, November 20, at the Brookings Public Library.

The evening will begin with a potluck at 6:30pm, as is our tradition. Bring a dish to pass if you are able, or just show up.The film will then be shown starting around 6:50. Discussion will follow for all who wish to participate.

This is a humorous and wise film. Prayer, meditation, rituals—soccer? World Cup soccer fever sweeps into a remote Himalayan monastery, and centuries-old traditions are threatened. The young monks will do just about anything to watch the final match, posing a unique challenge to the venerable lamas in charge. An inspiring tale of colliding cultures, midnight escapades and daring secret plots. A true story, filmed on location at Chokling Monastery, India, this award-winning film was made by Bhutanese filmmaker Khyentse Norbu, who is also one of the most important incarnate lamas in contemporary Tibetan Buddhism.

You can view a trailer of "The Cup" here.

Discuss Children of Abraham at SDSU's Briggs Library

South Dakota State's Briggs Library will host a program and discussion on understanding Judaism, Christianity and Islam on Tuesday, November 19, at 7:00 pm, in the Archives and Special Collection Room on the second floor. 

This program will focus on the book Children of Abraham by F.E. Peters. Humanities scholar Ahrar Ahmad, Professor of Political Science at Black Hills State University, will introduce the topic and lead the discussion.

Briggs Library has copies of the book available on reserve for two-week check-out, and copies are also available at the Brookings Public Library.

This event is made possible by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

BIC Issues Statement on Syrian Conflict

At its October gathering, the Brookings Interfaith Council adopted the following statement regarding the civil war in Syria and the possibility of U.S. military strikes on that country. The statement will be released through local media:

The Brookings Interfaith Council applauds the choice of dialogue and cooperation over violence, and adds its voice to the call from people of diverse faiths and backgrounds around the world for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria.

Interfaith calls for a peaceful resolution to the Syrian conflict have also been issued by such organizations as the Universal Peace Federation, Australians for Reconciliation in Syria, and the Charter for Compassion.

You're Invited to the Brookings Diversity Potluck

Have you moved here from someplace else and would like a way to meet the local community? Or do you ever think it would be nice to get to know some of the international members of the community, but don't know where to start?

Then this is just the event for you!

What: Brookings Diversity Potluck

Where: McCrory Gardens Visitor Center, 631 22nd Avenue

When: October 20, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm

What: Bring a dish to pass (optional) from your cultural background, or just something you like!

This is an event for the whole community, sponsored by the Brooking Human Rights Committee, SDSU Diversity, Equity & Community, and SDSU Aramark.  Its purpose is to bring people together, from here and from abroad, for conversation and friendship and good food.  This event is free and open to all.  The whole family is welcome to attend.

Join Us in "Celebrating Gandhi" This Thursday

At 6:30 pm, this Thursday, October 3, BIC will celebrate the life and witness of Mohandas Gandhi in the Cooper Room of the Brookings Public Library.

Led by our local Hindu community, we will celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (which is Oct. 2). Come prepared to share in some delicious Indian food, to watch a short film about the life of the Mahatma and to honor one who respected all of the world's faith traditions.

Our meal will begin at 6:30 with the program to follow.

Looking Ahead: Film Screening & Potluck in November

On Wednesday, November 20, BIC will screen "The Cup" in partnership with the Common Good Film Series.
 
We will begin the evening with a potluck at 6:30pm, Cooper Room, Brookings Public Library. The film will start around 6:50. Bring a dish to pass if you are able, or just show up. There will time for discussion following the film.

"The Cup" explores what can happen when an ancient religious tradition meets modernity. World Cup soccer fever sweeps into a remote Himalayan monastery, and centuries-old traditions are threatened. The young monks will do just about anything to watch the final match, posing a unique challenge to the venerable lamas in charge. It's an inspiring tale of colliding cultures, midnight escapades and daring secret plots. A true story, filmed on location at Chokling Monastery, India, this award-winning film was made by Bhutanese filmmaker Khyentse Norbu, who is also one of the most important incarnate lamas in contemporary Tibetan Buddhism.

Watch the film's trailer.

Join Us Thursday Night for Food & Dialogue

Our first BIC gathering of the season is this coming Thursday evening at the Brookings Public Library. Please join us for a potluck meal at 6:30 pm, with conversation to follow.

Our suggested theme for the evening is "race." This grew out of a conversation in the planning committee, especially as the George Zimmerman trial (being prosecuted for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin in Florida) was in the news at the time. On Thursday evening we might ask the question, "How does race impact relationships between faiths, for better or worse?"

The planning committee would also like to take some time to discuss the recent threat to bomb Syria. Is there a consensus in our group about how such situations should be handled? Would we want to go on the public record?

We will gather in the Cooper Room on the second floor of the library. We would enjoy your presence even if you are unable to bring a dish to pass. Please feel free to invite others.

Pray, Meditate with Other Community Members

You are warmly invited to participate in the Interfaith Prayer & Meditation Group, which has just reconvened after a summer hiatus.

With the exception of holiday weekends, the group meets each Saturday morning at the Brookings Public Library. The schedule is casual but the general format is as follows:

9:00 am to 9:15 Gathering time, checking in with one another
9:15 Bellsound, followed by silence, members praying/meditating in their own way
9:45 Bellsound, ending the time of silence, followed by fellowship
10:00 Leave-taking

Our leave-taking happily coincides with the opening of the library (and sometimes, even more happily, with the opening of Mango Tree).

Please join us!

If you have a question about the group, or wish to join its mailing list to receive scheduling updates, please contact Phyllis Cole-Dai, facilitator.

Could Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary Be a Model for Eastern South Dakota?

It has been suggested that perhaps we who live on the eastern side of South Dakota might explore the creation of a place of interfaith retreat similar to Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary (see blog post from earlier today).

If you have ideas that might help bring such a vision about, please contact us.

Plan a Visit to Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary

Next time you're headed to the Black Hills of South Dakota, consider a visit to Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary.

Pathways is a quiet place to spend time walking, sitting, contemplating, reflecting or healing in the natural landscape of an 80-acre private ranch in the sacred Hills.

A one-mile pathway through forest and meadow leads to inspirational sculptures, hand-hewn benches and a meditative labyrinth.

The theme of Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary is "Beyond Belief." The sanctuary is open for all who choose to come; a place that is beyond the diversity of beliefs, race, religion, cultures, personal histories and life experiences. It was founded on the virtues of love, compassion, tolerance and forgiveness. Within the Sanctuary all can walk as one and honor the sacredness of life and Mother Earth.

The Sanctuary will be open daily in 2013 from 8:00 am until dusk, through October 29th. There is no charge to visiting guests.

Welcome to Our New Website

The Brookings Interfaith Council (BIC) welcomes you to our new online home. We hope that it will become your home, too.

We invite you to sign up to receive updates to this blog by email (see the box in the navigation bar at right). You'll stay up-to-date regarding upcoming events, community concerns, recommended resources, and more.

To receive email reminders about BIC events, contact us. We hope that you'll join us for one of our discussions soon.

If you're looking for a local faith community to explore, or for a resource person from a faith other than your own to engage in dialogue, consider emailing one of the representatives listed on our contact page.

To close, we offer this food for thought from David R. Smock, author of Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding:

It is only when there is a deep understanding of one's own religious beliefs and commitments that progress can be made in achieving true understanding and respect for the religious values and beliefs of others. Engaging in interfaith dialogue does not in any way mean undermining one's own faith or religious tradition. Indeed, interfaith dialogue is constructive only when people become firmly grounded in their own religious traditions and through that process gain a willingness to listen and respect the beliefs of other religions.