COMMON CONCERN
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE INTERFAITH COUNCIL OF BOULDER FEBRUARY
1998
Election of Officers: At the annual meeting held
on January 26, 1998, the Interfaith Council elected a new slate of officers.
Rev. Kurt Kuhwald and Steve Rohrbach will serve as co-Presidents Edina Preucel
is the new Secretary Rev. Marjorie Carroll is the new Treasurer For more
information about the work and goals of the council, contact Rev. Kurt Kuhwald
at 494-0195, Steve Rohrbach at 823-9303, Edina Preucel at 666-9415, Rev.
Marjorie Carroll at 604-9845 or Past President, Stan Grotegut at 443-2291.
FROM YOUR LATE PRESIDENT: The mantle and role of leadership
within religious communities is a fascinating subject. Indeed, what gives
our traditions their peculiar style and character is often related to how
we define and recognize our leaders. We have various models; the rabbinical,
the priestly, the prophetic, the charismatic, the shaman, the shepherd,
the guru, etc.. Let me offer another one suggested and lived out by Gandhi.
Once he said the following regarding leadership: "There comes a time
when an individual becomes irresistible and his/her action becomes all-pervasive
in its effect. This comes when he reduces himself to zero." What would
the world or our communities look like if our leaders strove to become naught?
Gandhi did not mean some wimpy psychological shell game, but an utter recasting
of the prevailing paradigm of power and status. Perhaps he had in mind the
sociological equivalent of an atomic explosion: the extraordinary energy
released when the individual succeeds in making herself into zero.
Stan Grotegut
We Live Interfaith Mahatma Gandhi once said, "You must be the change
you want to see in the world." I shared that with the Welcoming Congregation
class at my church last night and there was an immediate pulse of acknowledgment
and affirmation. One form of the "be-ing change" I am passionate
about is that in interfaith religious consciousness growing here at the
ragged end of the twentieth century. I am impressed that the attending members
of the Interfaith Council of Boulder treat each other with such caring and
respect, and also that they share a deep vision of joining with faiths other
than there own to care for the people of Boulder Valley. To assist the life
and growth of such an organization is a gift, indeed---so I'm very happy
to be sharing the Chair of the Council with Steve Rohrbach for the coming
year. My hope is that our tenure will reflect the commitment so evident
in its active membership.
Namaste, Rev. Kurt A. Kuhwald
Peace Factory: The Interfaith Council
has agreed to sponsor the Peace Factory Community Forum Open House on March
14, 1998 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Boulder Mennonite Church 1520 Euclid Ave.
The theme is Causes of Violence and Creative Solutions. The Peace Factory
is seeking artists, discussants and participants for this multi-faceted
event. For more information, contact Patrick Gillham at 417-0675 or 492-6637.
From the new co-President: My hopes
for the Interfaith Council are that we can become more of a living, vibrant
service organization, fulfilling the needs of our many different faith communities
as they serve our community as a whole. Here are some questions to consider.
How can we, as faith communities, respect and appreciate each other more?
How can we work together to help alleviate human suffering and alienation
in our community? What values do we share that might point to common goals?
Is all of humankind really our family, and if so, how do we live in a way
that reflects that reality? I hope that you will join us as we strive to
put our highest values at the center and circumference of all we do. Steve
Rohrbach
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: Who Is My Neighbor? Join missions
of women and men in prayer on Friday, March 6, 1998. Beginning with a parade
at dawn in Tonga and ending as the sun sets in Hawaii, this day is observed
in 170 countries and islands in the largest grassroots, ecumenical, international
worship service. This yearís 111th annual World Day of Prayer was
written by the Christian women of Madagascar. Experience the Malagasy spirit
of neighborliness they call ìFihavananaî in scriptures, prayers,
meditations and music. Church Women United sponsor two observances in Boulder:
9:30 AM at Second Baptist Church, 5300 Baseline Road 2:30 PM at Frasier
Meadows Manor Chapel, 350 Ponca Place Child care is provided at the morning
service. For additional information, call Ginny Wells (494-9677) or Almarine
Beu (665-3113).
Interfaith Council Mission Statement:
Founded to be a religious presence in our community in addition to individual
congregations, the Interfaith Council of Boulder seeks to: Educate - foster
interfaith understanding and cooperation Serve - sponsor local community
service programs Inform - promote interest in and broaden understanding
of religion Heal - provide an atmosphere for consideration and engagement
of issues of common interest to the interfaith community.
Community Table: Hot meals are served
to seniors, families in need and others on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at First Christian Church, 950 28th St. For more information,
contact Steve Rohrbach at 823-9303.
Next Interfaith Council Meetings: The
next meeting of the Interfaith Council will be held on Sunday, February
22, 1998 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Unitarian Universalist Church 5001 Pennsylvania.
On the agenda is the question ìCan the Interfaith Council coordinate
services for the homeless?î. There will be a presentation by Street
Reach followed by a discussion of the Interfaith Councilís role with
the homeless. The March council meeting will be held on Sunday, March 29,
1998. The focus of this meeting will be on an historical perspective of
the Interfaith Council. If you would like to share some of your experience
with the council during its evolution, please contact Steve Rohrbach at
823-9303.
INTERFAITH COUNCIL OF BOULDER NON-PROFIT ORGAN. 5001 PENNSYLVANIA
AVE. US POSTAGE PAID BOULDER, CO 80303 PERMIT #789 BOULDER, CO 80302
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