Ventura County Interfaith Community Minutes

 

Regular meeting, September 14, 2006

 

Attendees:        Bahá’í – Renée

Buddhist – Debbie, OBT Pure Land;  Kim, SGI Nichiren;  Roz, SGI Nichiren

Christian –Teri, St. Columba’s Episcopal;  Susan, Mt.Cross Lutheran

Jewish – Frieda, Temple Ner Ami    ???????

                       

Devotional:  Frieda

 

Review of Minutes:  Minutes of the August 17th  meeting were approved.

 

Activity reports: 

 

Aug. 20 Islamic Center Open House was attended by Susan, Charlotte, Frieda, Lowell and

his wife.  Susan said it was “fabulous.”  VCIC visitors observed prayers followed by a 45 min. Q & A

session.  Teens were contacted for IF participation.  VCIC is welcome to return for a separate visit.

Frieda commented on women who were in a separate section in the back and wore open head scarves.

Visitors sampled food and heard lectures given by women.

 

Aug. 26 Interfaith Party and Pot Luck in Pasadena, no VCIC participation.

 

Aug.CSUCI Orientation and Student Welcome Days, Roz and Kim enjoyed connecting with

students.  There were about 15 interested in campus interfaith activities.

 

Sept. 10 Saticoy Buddhist Temple installation of a Bodhi tree and enshrining of relics was attended by Debbie.  She enjoyed the Vietnamese food.

 

Sept. 11 CSUCI 9-11 Campus Interfaith event 12-2 pm Renée reported that it was a dialogue with a Psych professor, a Buddhist, and a female Muslim student, covering such topics as why people become terrorists, how orphanages teach hatred of those who killed parents (the US in Irak??) Attendees received a candle to take the light of peace with them.

 

Sept. 11 Children of Abraham: An Evening for Prayer and Peace in Ventura; no VCIC attendees present to report.

 

Discussion followed regarding TV coverage and commentaries on the 5-year anniversary of 9/11/01.  It was generally agreed that it was all very negative.  Renée remarked that the worldwide outpouring of sympathy and solidarity had all but vanished.

 

Upcoming events in our communities:

 

Sept. 16  California Coastal Cleanup Day, Saturday, 8:30 to noon;  Kim committed to being there

as a VCIC person.

 

Sept. 24  Disaster Preparedness Seminar, Sunday, 9-2 pm, at St. Columba’s; includes free

fingerprinting and photo ID for children.

 

 

VCIC minutes page 2, September 14, 2006  (upcoming events, cont’d)

 

Sept. 22 Rosh Hashanah and Oct. 3, 4 pm Yom Kippur at Temple Ner Ami; Frieda explained ticket availability and fasting customs.

 

Oct. 14-15 S.F.Valley Arts Council’s Artist Studios Tour, tickets $20, contact Roz 818-425-4850

Roz also mentioned that SFVAC might be able to serve as fiscal receiver for VCIC if necessary.

 

Nov. 9   VCIC FEAST OF FAITHS, Thursday, 6-8:30 pm, $25; reserve by Nov. 1 with Teri

 

December Holiday Fundraiser hosted by Susan, date TBA.

 

BUSINESS:  Rene went over application for Employer ID to set up bank account.  It was moved by Debbie and seconded by Susan that Renée represent VCIC.

 

PROJECTS:

 

Youth Authority Service Projects –

Frieda got 3 certificates for beauty shops;  Charlotte donated clothing;  Debbie mentioned that plus sizes are greatly needed.  She said her daughter might use this opportunity as a leadership project.

GOALS:  $20 per girl to spend at the YA shop on her birthday (all 106? or 40 girls in psych wards virtually abandoned) plus collect as much as we can for those exiting to halfway houses who need clothes for job interviews, etc.  Roz also mentioned follow-up on recruiting tutors. (Linda not present)

 

FEAST OF FAITHS – Publicity and flyers

 

POSTERS and FLIERS cost $80.00 more than expected due to communication error on color printing.  VCIC members contributed $10 each to cover it.  Those present took some of each.

 

DISTRIBUTION via MAIL, EMAIL, MEDIA – Core team will distribute in respective communities. 

 

ACTION-SUSAN:  set up mailing list and labels for local churches and VIP’s for this and future uses by October 9.  She will contact Happenings and Star.

 

ACTION-TERI:  Write letter inviting public officials.

 

NEXT MEETING:  October 12, devotional by Renée   (Frieda unlikely to attend due to knee surgery scheduled for Oct.11)

 

Notes from previous meeting

FEAST OF FAITHS – FORMAT will include:

Introduction of dignitaries

CD’s provided by core team for background music

Performances—probably NOT, too disruptive of the dialogue purpose of the gathering; 

ACTION-DEBBIE: check on possibility of taiko drums as an option

Literature table—definitely YES; very popular at the Forum;  probably NO on SALES at the table (such as Rabbi Lotker selling his book there)

ACTION-RENÉE: research parameters of “unrelated business expenses” and types of sales permissible under non-profit guidelines