Interfaith Interconnect monthly "Chats"
Tri-Valley Interfaith Interconnect meets on the second Wednesday of every month at a different Worship Community location in Livermore and Pleasanton.
Due to COVID, we are now meeting virtually on Zoom. Please contact us at
[email protected] to obtain the times and link for the meeting.
The meetings begin and end promptly at 5:00pm and 6:16 respectively, so that you can make other commitments that evening if needed. The doors open at 4:30pm and remain open until 6:30pm for a social period and to continue discussions if desired (as often happens).
Typically, two speakers from different faiths will speak for 10-15 minutes each about a particular subject, followed by Q&A for each speaker. We then break up into groups of three to discuss a suggested question dealing with spiritual or culture values. The Chat ends promptly at 6:15pm, so that people are free to leave, but small groups often extend their discussions as desired, or they may join others for discussion or socializing as desired.
The subject of the Chat discussions will typically continue for 1-4 meetings, as the various faith groups within Interfaith Interconnect address the particular subject. Past topics have been:
- What does your faith teach about the acceptance of other religions? Has this changed over time?
- Choose a particular holy day or celebration that your faith observes. What is its significance? How do you celebrate it?
- What myths or misconceptions would you like to dispel about your religion or religious practice?
- How is meditation practiced in your faith?
- What is your faith's creation story? How did the work come to be?
- What is your faith's perspective on the afterlife?
- Who in your religion would you consider to be a holy person or one held in high esteem?
- When have you felt like an outsider? When you were an outsider, how did someone welcome you?
- What are the courtship and wedding traditions of your faith?
- What are practices and rituals honoring someone who has passed away in your faith?
- What should people of other faiths/cultures know so not to offend people of your faith?
- What does your faith teach about forgiveness?
- How does your tradition describe God?
- Holidays of various faiths: share a favorite tradition or memory.
- How does your faith pray?
- How did/have the events of September 11, 2001 affected you? (on the anniversary)
- How does your faith welcome new members?
- How is meditation practiced in your faith?
- How does the architecture of your place of worship reflect your faith's teachings?
- What are the first rights of passage in your faith?
- What myths would you like to dispel about your religion or religious practice?
- What Interfaith and Intercultural friendships that have enriched your life?
- What behavior would get you thrown out of your religion? How has this changed over the years?
- What is your religion's path to leadership: requirements, process for choosing, etc?
- Engaging our Youth - challenges and success. What does a successful program look like?
- What is the role of women in your faith tradition? How has it evolved over time?
- What does your faith do to make the world a better place?
- How does your faith/congregation address environmental concerns?
- Most faith tell us to be kind to the stranger. How does your faith respond to "the other"?
- How does your congregation help to bridge the different political or social justice views within it?
To get current information about the meeting location and subject, please contact us or ask to signup for our (no spam) mailings at our e-mail:
[email protected].
We are also on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/InterfaithInterconnect/timeline