Know Your Neighbors' Faith
The popular 2002 program, “Know Your Neighbors’ Faith,” will be repeated this April on Mondays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. in the Alliant Energy Building Sixth Floor Auditorium.
According to Helen Elsbernd, Director of Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center and member of the Inter-Religious Council’s Community Relations Committee, “We live in a city of considerable diversity of faith traditions.  These forums will help participants get a better feeling and appreciation of that diversity. I expect the people who attend will be those who want to gain a better knowledge, understand and appreciation of others’ beliefs.”

The programs feature:
April 1: Judaism
Rabbi Aaron Sherman, Rabbi at Temple Judah
April 8: Hinduism
Dr. R. Vaitheswaran, member of the Hindu Temple
April 15: Orthodox Christianity
Fr. Fred Shaheen, Priest at St. George’s Antiochan
Orthodox Church
April 22: Islam
Imam Ahmed Elkhaldy, President of the Muslim American Society Iowa Chapter
April 29: Dialogue Panel
The four presenters will discuss “Faith of Your Co-Workers.”

According to Helen, “The Inter-Religious Council and Community Relations Committee have done the four-part University of Religion courses on various faith traditions. While they are good for an in-depth understanding, these forums are intended to give a brief introduction to several faith traditions for people who are interested but don’t have the time to take a course.”

Program Committee, Tim Hyatt reporting
Reservations have been made for our annual picnic at the Noelridge Lagoon Pavilion on this coming June 22. (Note that conflict with Fathers Day is thus avoided.) Plans are to set up at 5:00 PM and to eat at 5:30 PM.

Brian Daugherty reports for the University of Religion that Aaron Sherman will be presenting classes on Judaism. Dates, to be confirmed, will be sometime after April 1.

Network of Faith, Shannon Beck reporting
Shannon reports that things are going well. She is hoping to have Mission of Hope added to the shelters benefitting. She would like to see publicity and thanks given to the faith communities who joined together to support this program in 2007. Diane John will update our website in this regard. Possible publicity in The Gazette through a story on Network of Faith and/or a “thank you” ad were discussed. Tim Hyatt will forward a contact e-address for The Gazette to Diane.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Harlan Hanson, our new Treasurer, circulated a year-end report from Cedric Lofdahl, outgoing Treasurer. Harlan entertained a motion that the current President, Vice President and Treasurer of the IRC-LC be designated as official signatories for expenditures. Motion was made, seconded and carried.

Harlan also entertained a motion to provide for audit of our books. After some discussion, a motion was made and seconded that Kim McGuire and Al Fletcher be designated as auditors. Motion carried.

Per Cedric’s year-end figures, the ending balance in 2007 was $10,068.79. Harlan reported that 2008
annual dues and contributions have begun coming in.

NEW AND ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Jo Osing has offered several boxes of Dick Osing’s book, Love at Midlife, to the Inter-religious Council. There was consensus that we accept her gift and distribute these volumes gratis.

Diane John mentioned that the web page still needs symbols of various faith communities along with
explanations as to their derivation and meaning. Material can be mailed or emailed to Diane.

The Executive Committee of the Board will meet before our Board meeting in February. They will
prepare recommendations to the Board on various issues, including the possible hiring of a new
Administrative Assistant if Ronit Garman is no longer going to serve.

Tim Hyatt mentioned that a series of three sessions under the title Religion and Violence will be offered at Christ Episcopal Church (40th Street NE) Sunday mornings, beginning on February 7. The sessions are open to anyone interested and there is no cost to attend. Time: 9:15-10:10AM. The sessions will focus on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Children of Abraham group will plan to follow up these sessions with further presentations or offerings.

Aaron Sherman opened the floor to discussion of things we would like to see the IRC-LC accomplish or work on this year, emphasizing that we should be as much a group that does things as one which meets and votes! Ted Miller would like to see a series or a film on the topic of how mainstream films present various religions and faith communities. He volunteered (or was volunteered) to do some
research into this possibility. Tim Hyatt mentioned the availability of many good international films at the local libraries. Helen noted that if an event is planned, effort should be made not to co-schedule with the annual Environmental Film Fest locally.

The possibility of following through with the ideas we have mentioned for getting youth of many faiths together was mentioned. Tim mentioned that he has spoken with Chris Seeman at Coe about this, especially as regards participation of Coe student groups, and he also recalled to us that Lisa Randolph at the People’s Church has been interested in inter-faith youth activities.

Mention was made that the Prayer for Peace ecumenical service we offered a few years ago was very well-received and might be a good thing to offer our Linn County communities once again.

Shannon Beck recalled the faith occasions within communities to which others have been invited, and she encouraged all of us to invite others if we have special or traditional events going on.

The next meeting of the IRC-LC will take place on Monday, February 25, 7:30 PM, at the Ecumenical Center. Joanne Jordan will offer a reflection. Aaron also asked that we bring concerns for those in need of healing, along with any traditions our faith communities have for embodying those concerns.

We are reminded that Committee groups often meet at 6:30 or 6:45 PM before the full Board meets. Need for a key is something we need to be mindful of for early committee meetings as well as for the 7:30 full Board meetings. Thanks to Al Fletcher for running across to First Lutheran to arrange for a Plan B when it seemed no one had a key for the EC!

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Linda M. Laugen, Secretary