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| Friday, July 3, 2009 |
Interfaith Center at the Presidio |
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July- I'm Ready for My Close-up!
With apologies to Nora Desmond in Sunset Strip, we want to announce some exciting news—the Interfaith Center at the Presidio now has the capacity to do live webcasts from the Center. The technology comes to the Center by way of the generosity of Junaid Islam, a local developer of webcasting tools.
Junaid and his team at Vidder.com are developing capacities for simple, easy to use webcasting that does not require the huge investments in video equipment previously needed for online video production. When thinking about how to "field test" his system, Junaid remembered the work of the Interfaith Center (he's the nephew of long-time ICP supporter Iftekhar Hai), and immediately saw how the Center's activities could be made available to a wider audience through the webcast technology. He has contributed the hardware to the Center and made the software available to make it all work.
ICP first went "live" on Sunday, June 7, as St. Peter's, San Francisco, an Episcopal Church which is using the Chapel while their church building is being renovated, celebrated Holy Communion, led by Rev. Dave Rickey. People across the country were able to watch and listen. Soon after, we were able to webcast the Reunion and Blessing Celebration organized by the United Religions Initiative and ICP on June 11th. People from around the world were able to come to the ICP website and share in the experience. Following the ceremony, several of the URI leaders took a moment to send a greeting to their constituencies across the globe.
Plans are to have a continuous single-camera webcast (if you go to the media page (www.interfaith-presidio.org/Media/vidder.html) now, you will see a real time video of the Interfaith Chapel). Additional cameras (shown in multiple windows) and sound can be added for special events, workshops, concerts, and weddings. In time, we will be able to include off-site events, and even present interfaith events from several different locations around the world simultaneously. A new Internet Oversight Committee has been developed to deal with the new possibilities, challenges, policies, and concerns related to our expanding web capacity.
Our thanks to Junaid for making all this possible! We are continually improving the software and webcasting process, and working to make your experience as headache-free as possible, so please tune in, take a look, and let us know how we're doing!
"TAKING IT TO MELBOURNE"
Preparing for the December Parliament of Religions
What do Chicago, Cape Town, and Barcelona have in common?
- How did a 19th century Hindu teacher change world religion?
- What happens when 10,000 people from different spiritual traditions converge in one place?
- What are we taking to Melbourne, and why?
Join us for Taking It to Melbourne, a pre-Parliament event, and find out! We’ll feature videos and photos, along with personal stories of people who have journeyed to past Parliaments of the World's Religions. And especially, we will feature brief presentations from those in our area who have proposed workshops for Parliament, which will take place December 3-9, 2009, in Melbourne, Australia.
WHEN: Sunday, July 12, 4:00-7:00 (Pacific Standard Time)
WHERE: Main Post Interfaith Chapel, 130 Fisher Loop, Presidio, San Francisco. [map & directions]
LIVE WEBCAST: If you can’t come to San Francisco, go to www.interfaith-presidio.org/Media/vidder.html to join the event at 4:00 pm (PST)!
WHY GO TO NAIN?
Paul Chaffee
Anyone willing to pay airfare, registration, room, and board to spend three days outside of Kansas City with 70 people preoccupied with interreligious relationships has to nurse a deep commitment to the cause! Even for the committed – Why spend the money?
As a veteran of a dozen NAIN (North America Interfaith Network) summer gatherings, I’ve several answers to that question, starting with old friendships and new. That’s personal, though. The reason I make it my business to keep going is what I learn. At Unity Village last month, an hour south of Kansas City, two workshops I attended tell the tale. Read more . . .
QUICK NOTES
Antioch Mosque Reopens.
Congratulations to the members of the Islamic Center of the East Bay, who inaugurated their rebuilt mosque on June 27 in a ceremony that included the Mayor and Police Chief of Antioch, along with representatives from Muslim and Interfaith groups. The mosque had been destroyed in an arson fire in 2007. Community and interfaith leaders quickly responded with a show of support for ICEB.
Understanding Kirpans. The California Assembly has passed a bill requiring law enforcement agencies to train officers in understanding the meaning and purpose of the kirpan, the ritual dagger carried by Sikhs. Although carrying a kirpan is legal in the U.S., some Sikhs have experienced harassment and even arrest from overzealous law enforcement personnel. The bill now goes to the California Senate.
BECOME A STAKEHOLDER IN THE INTERFAITH CENTER
In response to our invitation, over 50 people have applied to become Interfaith Center Associates. Being an Associate or Affiliate comes with the understanding that you have a voice in this work, that your suggestions are welcomed and your engagement encouraged.
For more information about becoming an Associate or Affiliate, please contact Paul Chaffee, Executive Director, at 415-7756-4635 or at paul@interfaith-presidio.org. A flyer with more information is available on the ICP website (pdf).
Bay Area Interfaith Connect is sent each month to nearly 2,000 subscribers, and is available online at the Interfaith Center at the Presidio website. If you do not receive the monthly updates and would like to do so, simply write to info@interfaith-presidio.org. Please include your name, and, if you are willing, your street address and phone will help us to keep you up to date on interfaith activities.
Andrew Kille
| About the Editor: D. Andrew Kille is director
of Interfaith
Space in San Jose, working to develop and strengthen interfaith
relations throughout the Bay Area. Send your calendar items, comments
and suggestions to calendar@interfaith-presidio.org. We try to keep the ICP Update and Calendar as current as we can,
but if you want your item included in the monthly newsletter,
it needs to be in our hands a week before the end of the month. |

AT THE INTERFAITH CENTER
SUPPORT THE INTERFAITH CENTER! We
truly depend on your ongoing support.
See the ICP website for Information about making
contributions to support the Center and its programs. You can
even contribute online!
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Sunday, July 12, 2009, 4:00-7:00 pm
Taking It to Melbourne: Preparing for the Parliament of Religions
We'll share videoclips and photos along with personal stories of people who have journeyed to past Parliaments. Folks in our area who have proposed workshops for the December Parliament of the World’s Religions are invited to be part of the program, taking two or three minutes to explain your workshop proposal and why it is important.
LIVE WEBCAST – If you can’t come to San Francisco, go to our video center to join the event at 4:00 pm (PST).
Sponsored by St. Peter's Episcopal Church
Sundays,
8:00 & 10:00 am
Weekly Worship
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of San Francisco is worshipping at the Interfaith Chapel while their property is in renovation. This very interfaith-friendly congregation and their pastor, Father David Rickey, welcomes all who wish to attend.
The weekly 10:00 am service is webcast on our video center.

BAIC ARCHIVES
In
addition to the listing
of books, websites, and opportunities that
have appeared in our monthly newsletters, you can now find an archive
of editorials
from BAIC beginning with January of 2007, along with longer
articles on issues of interest for interfaith work..
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At the Presidio Interfaith Chapel
Map
and directions to the Presidio’s Main Post Chapel
SUNDAY ACTIVITIES
Every Sunday the Chapel
remains open for visitors until 1:00 pm.
RESOURCES
Check out the website based on the Interfaith
Center’s 2004 International
Sacred Space Design Competition And explore an interfaith
calendar that lists the sacred events and seasons of spiritual, indigenous,
and religious traditions around the world.
For other tools about local-global interfaith community, go to Interfaith Resources. |
ABOUT THE INTERFAITH CENTER AT THE PRESIDIO
Bay Area Interfaith Connect is sponsored by the Interfaith
Center at the Presidio. The Center is a regional interfaith umbrella
organization of 22 interfaith groups that serve as Sponsoring Organizations.
Incorporated in September 1995 "to welcome, serve, and celebrate
the diverse spiritual wisdom and faith traditions of the Bay Area," the
Center has become networked with hundreds of interfaith communities around
the world who share a common commitment: ...to promote daily, enduring
interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence, and to
create cultures of peace, justice, and healing for the Earth and all
living beings.
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Bay Area Interreligious Calendar
2009
We invite
you to share programs and exhibits sponsored by Bay Area faith and
interfaith groups for the public, provided only that they show respect
for traditions other than their own and are not primarily aimed at
converting people. We try to keep the ICP Update and Calendar as
current as we can, but if you want your item included in the monthly
newsletter, it needs to be in our hands a week before the end of
the month. Send items to calendar@interfaithspace.org. National and
international interfaith events that might be of interest to local
individuals will be posted under "Special
Opportunities," along with useful interfaith resources.
Through the month events are added to this calendar, posted at
www.interfaith-presidio.org.
Look for the
marker New Item! Events
disappear within a day or two after they happen. To add or cancel your
subscription to Bay Area Interfaith
Connect or to have your own events listed, contact the Interfaith
Center.
The beautiful graphic to the right is by Melissa Penn and was used
by the Parliament of the World's Religion in 1999 in Cape Town. |
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...IN BELVEDERE
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PRAYER SERVICE
New Item! Interfaith Prayer Service for Religious Freedom
WHEN: Saturday, July 11, 2009, 7:30- 9:00 pm
WHERE: St. Stephens Church, 3 Bay View Avenue, Belvedere. Free event.
Interfaith prayers for human rights and religious freedom in Iran will be offered. All are welcome. Supported by the Marin Interfaith Council. Contact: Sherna Deamer, Cell: (415) 308-1970.
...IN PETALUMA
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VERIDITAS
Taking the Creative Leap: Navigating A Life Transition
WHEN: Tuesday- Friday, July 7-10, 2009
WHERE: Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma. $650 commuter; $950 residential.
Four day retreat designed for women who have an ongoing relationship with the labyrinth and are in the process of a life transition. Includes small group process, walking the labyrinth, work with dreams, reflect through journaling and collage work, and spiritual discussions that will shape the next steps we feel called to in our lives. Will also include a spiritual direction session with Lauren Artress. Info and registration at www.veriditas.org or call 707 283-0373.
...IN SAN FRANCISCO
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PREPARING FOR THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS
New Item! Taking it to Melbourne
WHEN: Sunday, July 12 – 4:00-7:00 pm
WHERE: Interfaith Center at the Presidio, 130 Fisher Loop, Presidio, San Francisco. Free event.
The Parliament of the World’s Religions convenes December 3-9 in Melbourne, 10,000 leaders gathering to explore interfaith dialogue and collaboration. On Sunday, July 12, a pre-Parliament event will be held at the Main Post Chapel. We will see pictures and hear stories of past Parliaments and learn what is being planned for Australia. The special feature? Summaries of the workshops that Californians have proposed for Melbourne. The evening will be webcast live from http://www.interfaith-presid
Are you going to the Parliament? Have you proposed a workshop for Melbourne? If you have, we would be interested in adding you to the July 12 program, with an opportunity to share with the audience (and those watching on the internet) the issues you hope to explore at the Melbourne Parliament. Please contact Paul Chaffee at 415-775-4635 or at paul@interfaith-presidio.org.
LABYRINTH PILGRIMAGE
Creativity is a Spiritual Path: Using the Labyrinth to Awaken our Muse
WHEN: Friday- Saturday, July 24-25
WHERE: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco. $279.00 before July 1; then $329.00.
The Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, a leading force in the Labyrinth Movement, leads an 'urban retreat.' Through lecture and discussion, small group sharing, networking over meals and walking the labyrinth, the weekend will provide deep reflection to make space for the divine mystery. Included are dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings, and private retreat times for journaling, meditation and spiritual nourishment. Join us in the ancient practice of labyrinth walking.
For more information or to register, visit or our website www.veriditas.org or call 707 283-0373.
LAST SUNDAY MEDITATION
Mindfulness Meditation
WHEN: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 9:30 - 10:55 am
WHERE: Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, Larkin Street between Vallejo & Broadway, San Francisco. Free event.
You are cordially invited to share in a time of mindfulness meditation on the last Sunday of each month. Gary Gach will present: Introduction to Mindfulness, Meditation for Our Engagement with Life. His practice is in the tradition of Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, who coined the phrase "engaged Buddhism." Information at http://www.fellowshipsf.org/ Questions? Call 1.415.771.77.93 gary.gach@gmail.com
LAST SUNDAY MEDITATION
Mindfulness Meditation
WHEN: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 9:30 - 10:55 am
WHERE: Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, Larkin Street between Vallejo & Broadway, San Francisco. Free event.
You are cordially invited to share in a time of mindfulness meditation on the last Sunday of each month. Gary Gach will present: Introduction to Mindfulness, Meditation for Our Engagement with Life. His practice is in the tradition of Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, who coined the phrase "engaged Buddhism." Information at http://www.fellowshipsf.org/ Questions? Call 1.415.771.77.93 gary.gach@gmail.com
VERIDITAS
Labyrinth Facilitator Training
WHEN: Monday- Tuesday, July 27-28, 2009
WHERE: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California, San Francisco. $600.
Learn how to introduce others to the labyrinth in an articulate, professional and effective way. The training addresses both meditative walking and ceremonial use. Benefit from Lauren Artress' extensive experience and knowledge, through 14 hours face to face that is a behind-the-scenes conversation about using powerful archetypal patterns as blue prints for transformation. The fee includes instruction, materials, a twelve-month follow-up for Certification and membership in the Facilitator's Network.
For more information or to register, visit or our website www.veriditas.org or call 707 283-0373.
WALK FOR HUNGER
New Item! 2009 San Francisco CROP Walk
WHEN: Sunday October 18, 2009, 1:30 pm
WHERE: Walk around Lake Merced. Sponsorship event.
The 2009 San Francisco CROP Walk, our 30th year, will benefit the San Francisco Food Bank, the San Francisco Interfaith Council Winter Shelter Program, as well as Church World Service, the sponsoring organization that provides a broad range of poverty fighting projects around the world. For information and to sign up see www.cropwalksf.org.
...IN SAN LEANDRO
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INTERFAITH COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
New Item! Youth Serving Our Community and Our World
WHEN: Saturday, July 18, 2009, 9:30 am- 11:30 am
WHERE: Bay Area Family Church, 2305 Washington Ave., San Leandro. 10$ donation.
More and more, young people are taking the lead in breaking down the barriers that divide us. Hear inspiring stories from Theodore Timpson, founder of Young Spirit Foundation, and co-leader of Days of Interfaith Youth Service and Tesia Bobrycki, of Next Generation Academy. Plus, a video about Majlis Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya, the youth of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Sponsored by Interfaith America. Information: 510-417-5115 Rev. Mark Denni, 510-677-4488 Dr. Hanif Koya, or 510-517-0398 David Rosenblum
...IN SAN RAFAEL
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12TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL PROCESSION
New Item! In Honor of Those Who Have Died on The Streets of Marin
WHEN: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 2:00 pm
WHERE: Under the trees by the ball field, Albert Park, San Rafael. Free event.
We will process in silence up “A” Street to St. Raphael's Catholic Church, where we will read the names of our unforgotten friends. Followed by the Third Annual Celebration of Life (Location to be announced.) Information: contact Chaplain Paul Gaffney, 415.302.0248. Co-sponsored by the Marin Interfaith Council.
MARIN INTERFAITH COUNCIL
Sacred Music Concert
WHEN: Thursday, July 30, 2009, 8:00 pm
WHERE: Showcase Theatre, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. Tickets $20- $40.
Performers include Vocolot, a Jewish a cappella group; Albert Tenaya, Native American Flautist; Geoffrey Gordon, who will lead us in Kirtan chant from the Hindu tradition, and Rene' Jenkins, a ceremonial Sound Healer. Tickets $40, $30 general admission; $20 students. To purchase tickets go to the Showcase Theatre box office, M-F, 11AM-5PM or call them 499-6800 ($3 handling charge is added to ticket purchases by phone). TICKETS NOW ON SALE!!
FORGIVENESS MASTERS WORKSHOP
The Heart and Soul of Forgiveness
WHEN: Saturday, August 1st, 2009 - 1:00 to 5:00 pm
WHERE: Angelico Hall, Dominican College, 50 Acacia Ave, San Rafael. Tickets on sale soon.
Led by spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson. More information soon.Questions? Call Robert Plath at (415) 381-3372
"Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness."
- Marianne Williamson
FORGIVENESS
13th International Forgiveness Day
WHEN: Sunday, August 2nd, 2009, 7:00 to 9:30 pm
WHERE: Angelico Hall, Dominican College, 50 Acacia Ave, San Rafael. Tickets on sale soon.
Come celebrate the possibilities of change in our lives when we learn to forgive. 2009 Hero of Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Peace: Congressman John Lewis, "one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced." 2009 Champion of Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Peace: Marianne Williamson, author and lecturer. Questions? Call Robert Plath at (415) 381-3372.
...IN WOODACRE
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INTERFAITH RETREAT
New Item! Marin Interfaith Retreat at Spirit Rock
WHEN: Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 10:00 am- 4:00 pm
WHERE: Spirit Rock Center, 5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Woodacre. Cost TBA.
Save the date for the Marin Interfaith Council retreat day at Spirit Rock. Details to follow. See www.marinifc.org.
...SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
Menu
BAY
AREA INTERFAITH CONNECT ARCHIVE. Some of the items we
share each month are not time-limited, but listing them all in
each issue becomes too much. We have now created an archive page
with material from back issues, especially books, web links, and
long-term opportunities. Items from past issues are now available
on the ICP website in our BAIC
Archive.
2009 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS:
Melbourne, Australia -- December 3-9, 2009
The Dalai Lama will be just one of the speakers who will be present in Melbourne for the Parliament of the World's Religions. For a list of other speakers, and more information about the Parliament, see the Parliament website at www.parliamentofreligions.org/. Also see more information in the Bay Area Interfaith Connect archive.
NEWS & NOTES FROM INTERFAITH SPACE
Written by Bay Area Interfaith Connect editor Andrew Kille, News & Notes from Interfaith Space is an occasional blog on interfaith issues, especially concerning Santa Clara County and the South Bay. You can find it at www.revdak.com/wordpress/. Andrew also sends out Interfaith Events, a monthly e-mailing that includes a list of sacred celebrations from various religious traditions for each month, along with notices of interfaith activities in the South Bay, including educational opportunities and action items. To subscribe, sign up here.
GLOBAL ONENESS PROJECT
The Global Oneness Project has put together a selection of their short films on two DVDs and will send one or both to you for free anywhere in the world IF you agree to gather 10 or more people when screening the films. Share these stories in your living room, classroom, community center, or theater and talk about the issues they bring up. And then, "pay it forward." Offer the DVD to someone else, and participate in this ongoing experiment in generosity. The Global Oneness Project is exploring how the radically simple notion of interconnectedness can be lived in our increasingly complex world. Since 2006, we've been traveling the globe gathering stories from creative and courageous people who base their lives and work on the understanding that we bear great responsibility for each other and our shared world. Find out more (and watch some of their videos) at www.globalonenessproject.org/living-library,
VERIDITAS EVENTS:
Register on our website www.veriditas.org or call 707 283-0373
- Creativity is a Spiritual Path: Using the Labyrinth to Awaken our Muse
Labyrinth Pilgrimage at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco July 24 - 25, 2009
The Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, a leading force in the Labyrinth Movement, leads an 'urban retreat'. Through lecture and discussion, small group sharing, networking over meals and walking the labyrinth, the weekend will provide deep reflection to make space for the divine mystery. Included are dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings, and private retreat times for journaling, meditation and spiritual nourishment. Join us in the ancient practice of labyrinth walking. Cost: $279.00 per person until July 1st, then $329.00.
- Labyrinth Facilitator Training
July 27 - 28, 2009
Join Dr. Artress for the Labyrinth Facilitator Training and learn how to introduce others to the labyrinth in an articulate, professional and effective way. The training addresses both meditative walking and ceremonial use. It is focused primarily on the Eleven Circuit Medieval Labyrinth but is inclusive of all forms. Benefit from Lauren Artress' extensive experience and knowledge, through 14 hours face to face that is a behind-the-scenes conversation about using powerful archetypal patterns as blue prints for transformation. Cost: $600 for the two-day Facilitator Training. The fee includes instruction, materials, a twelve-month follow-up for Certification and membership in the Facilitator's Network.
INTERFAITH "E-LERTS"
Common Tables, which provides a way for individuals to connect with others from different religious traditions to share meals and discussion, is now offering "E-Lerts."
A free subscription to “Interfaith eLerts” brings you a series of emails which arrive just before, and briefly explain the significance of, many of the world’s primary holy days. (Included are observances from the Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Confucian, Daoist, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Neopagan, Shinto, Sikh, and Zoroastrian traditions.) To sign up, go to www.commontables.org/elerts.html
SPIRITUAL PATHS INSTITUTE
Spiritual Paths Institute presents
Engaged Spirituality:
Merging Spiritual Values,
Meditation, & "Real Life," a retreat in Aspen, CO, from August 23-28, 2009. Teachers include Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault,
Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Swami Atmarupananda, Kobir and Camille
Helminski, and Ed Bastian. This program will help participants to
develop and deepen a personal meditative practice; discover the shared InterSpirilual insights of the
major religions; and reveal how shared meditation and spiritual values
can help solve the personal , professional, and global
challenges of our times. For information see the website; to register, please contact Kathy at 805 695-0104 or kathy@spiritualpaths.net.
The Spiritual Paths Institute offers a program in InterSpiritual Studies that has been designed by a multi-faith team of teachers. Each teacher is a recognized scholar and acclaimed author, as well as an authentic leader, teacher, and practitioner of his /her respective spiritual tradition. The Spiritual Paths Institute Program in InterSpiritual Wisdom systematically builds the scholarly and experiential understanding of the spiritual traditions and practices imbedded within the world’s major religions. During their studies, students will be exposed to English translations of primary source materials, classical commentaries and modern exegeses of many of the world’s great spiritual traditions. For more information and registration, see the Spiritual Paths website.

WORLD MARCH FOR PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE
The World March will begin in New Zealand on October 2, 2009, the anniversary of Gandhi’s birth, declared the “International Day of Non-Violence” by the United Nations. It will conclude in the Andes Mountains (Punta de Vacas, Aconcagua, Argentina) on January 2, 2010. The March will last 90 days, three long months of travel. It will pass through all climates and seasons, from the hot summer of the tropics and the deserts, to the winter of Siberia. The stages will be the longest American and Asian, both almost a month. A permanent base of a hundred people of different nationalities will complete the journey. For more information, see the World Without Wars website.
URI YOUNG LEADERS
The Young Leaders Program aims to connect religiously and spiritually diverse young people from around the world, and to develop their capacity to be servant leaders in the areas of interfaith cooperation, peacebuilding, ecological imperatives, human rights, and sustainable just economics. Supporting this is an online community for interfaith young leaders, spread over a variety of networks and accessible through a community Hub: www.ga08youth.com.
Here you will find: a community portal for social networking, dialogue forums and live chat discussions, a community calendar that shares important events of our youth members and the action themes for each month, a media gallery that highlights youth projects and video clips of URI youth in action, a newsdesk that shares update developments of the Young Leaders Program, and a resources section that contains helpful resources developed by youth participants for the URI Young Leaders Program. Connect with us online and help to build this vibrant interfaith youth movement together!
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