Thursday, September 6th, 6:00-8:45p.m.

Theme: Stories of Compassion and Collaboration Under the Tent of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar

Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary, College of St. Rose, 959 Madison Avenue, Albany

The Abrahamic family has crystallized mainly into three religious communities -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Let's tell the tales – past and present – of how people of these faith traditions have joined together in harmony, as we help create a future of peace and cooperation.

Program
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Welcome and Pot-Luck Supper
   Please bring a vegetarian dish to share.
7:15 - 8:45 - Stories of Compassion and Collaboration
   All story tellers and listeners are welcome!

   (Stories should be under 10 minutes and have an interfaith collaboration theme.)

This circle will be facilitated by Dr. Mussarat Chaudhry, Nancy Marie Payne and Audrey Seidman.

For additional information, please call Gert Johnson, 374-0637

After 2007, this confluence will not occur again for more than 30 years!

Join our second celebration of the confluence of sacred moments in the Jewish, Muslim and Christian calendars. The Muslim lunar month of Ramadan and the Jewish lunar month of Tishrei – which includes the High Holy Days, Sukkot and Simchat Torah – coincide this year, beginning sundown September 12. Also, October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (who opposed the Crusades and studied with Islamic teachers), and the first Sunday in October is Worldwide (Protestant/Orthodox) Communion Sunday.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

6:30-7:00 p.m. Church Tour
7:00-9:00 p.m. Story Sharing

Niskayuna Reformed Church
3071 Troy Schenectady Road (Rt. 7) (3 1/2 miles west of exit 6 of the Northway)

Theme: Sharing Stories of Special Treasures
Facilitator: Gert Johnson

Do you have a treasured possession such as a picture, a momento, a special article from a loved one (past or present, etc) that carries a story that nourishes your spirit and/or strengthens your faith? If so, we invite you to bring it with you to our circle and to share its tale with us. (If you'd like to come and just listen, you are most welcome to do so.) Just to let you know..Niskayuna Reformed Church is on the Register of Historic Sites. It's basement was the site of an underground railroad, the oldest tombstone in its cemetery dates back to the Revolutionary war and the oldest written records date back to 1795 or so. Reverend Scott DeBlock will be giving us a tour at 6:30 pm

Wednesday, November 14th

7:00-9:00 p.m.

Reformed Church in America : Albany Synod Center
1790 Grand Blvd.
Niskayuna (a section of Schenectady) NY 12309

Facilitator: Rev. Kent Busman
Theme: Stories of Resistance: Standing firm against the odds

Come tell and or listen to stories of how faith has enabled people to stand firm against obstacles and powers that are contrary to who they are and to what they believe. Traditional and personal stories and listeners always welcome!!!

Thursday, December 13th -- rescheduled due to bad weather February 13, 2008

Meditation Center, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization
184 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206

Facilitator: Sister Ann
Theme: Celebrating Human Greatness

The Interfaith Story Circle of the Tri-City Area presents:

A WINTER LIGHTS TELLING

Sunday, January 20, 2008
3:00 - 5:00 pm

St. Helen’s Church
1803 Union Street, Schenectady
(1 ½ blocks West of Balltown Rd.)

Come hear Stories and Song

From the Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions

Music and dance performances included

Suggested donation $5 to $10 per adult/$15 per family

To benefit the Children at the Well youth interfaith storytelling project

Call 374-0637 for further information

Wednesday, February 13th -- rescheduled, yet again due to bad weather, May 7, 2008

Meditation Center, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization
184 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206

Facilitator: Sister Ann
Theme: Celebrating Human Greatness

The Interfaith Story Circle of the Tri-City Area presents:

Interfaith Youth Storytelling

Hindu, Christian, Islamic and Jewish Young People

Will Share Stories From Their Traditions

Sunday, March 16th, 2008, 2 PM

The Hindu Temple Society of the Capital District
The Cultural Center
450 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY
(between Osborne and Everett Roads)

All Welcome- Family, Friends, and Community!

To be followed by a vegetarian pot-luck supper and informal story sharing

If you wish to join us for the supper, please bring your favorite vegetarian* dish to share *(containing no meat, fish, or poultry)

This project is made possible in part through COMMUNITY ART$GRANTS a program funded through the State and Local Partnership Program of the New York State Council on the Arts and The Arts Center of the Capital Region.

For further information, please contact Paula Weiss (518) 785-7842 or pbethweiss@aol.com

Youth Interfaith Story Circle
Thursday, April 3rd, 7-9 p.m.

Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary (on Campus of College of St. Rose)
959 Madison Avenue

Theme: Youth Share Wisdom Tales
Facilitators: Children at the Well Interns

Please join us to hear our interns (Adah Hetko, Ben Russell, Ilyssa Simsek, Sarah Ali and Nimi Jayaraman who have been coached in the past by Mary and Marni, tell wisdom tales.

The evening belongs to them. This is their opportunity to run a story circle and ours to be delighted listeners.

In the past we have given them all the time they need to tell and exchange stories on their own, along with any other Children at the Well students who attend. If they run out of tales, we will then join in. However, in the past, when we have held youth circles..they have never run out of stories!!

We are excited that they are going to "take the helm" so to speak.

Please come support their effort. I promise you will enjoy it!

We have permission to park in front of La Salle School, 391 Western Avenue, that evening. Then, you need only cross the street, look for a sidewalk into the College of St. Rose campus and cross the quad to the Interfaith Sanctuary. Look for a small building with tall glass doors.

If you've not been to the sanctuary, that in itself is a treat!!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Meditation Center, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization
184 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206

Facilitator: Sister Ann
Theme: Celebrating Human Greatness

6:15 Vegetarian Dinner (please let Gert know a week ahead if you plan to attend)
7:00-9:00 Program

Come to tell and/or to listen to stories of moments of greatness in your lives, when you might have reached beyond what you thought was possible.or within your capability. It might have been a spontaneous gesture made in response to a friend in need, or a time when you were deeply moved to take action on something or you cared about. Or bring a story about someone you witnessed do the same for others..when you were surprised or thankful for the human greatness you witnessed in them.

We all have had such moments in our lives, they are the moments that inspire and uplift us and keep us going the face of obstacles. Hoping that you reflect on this theme between now and our circle and join with us in sharing with Sister Ann and others from her organization that is committed to helping to make our world a better place.

The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization (BKWSO) offers people of all backgrounds an opportunity to deepen their understanding of universal principles and innate values. It acknowledges the intrinsic goodness of every human being and helps individuals to rediscover their own goodness. The organization encourages and facilitates the development of spiritual awareness, attitudes, behaviors, and skills through a process of lifelong learning.

Tuesday, June 10, 7-9 p.m.

St Francis de Sales Church, Loudonville, NY

Theme: Eureka Moments ! Stories that help us discover the meaning of faith

We will be sharing stories (personal or traditional) that helped us to develop a closer relationship with God.

Come join us to tell and/or to listen: Think about bringing a friend; we are always seeking new people and new groups with whom we can share.

Jon Sozek, who has served as youth minister at this church will be joining us and hopefully bringing some of the young people with him. We are also encouraging some of our Children at the Well teens to attend.