FIRE – Page 5 – Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside

VIGIL for PEACE on December 21 in Kirkland

Multiple faith groups put aside differences in the name of peace

Kirkland, WA, December 21, 2015: In the spirit of the holiday season, multiple faith communities are putting aside their theological differences to stand together in witness for peace. During this time where communities seem fractured, lives are being lost, and hearts are broken, one group agrees that there is something they can do together. On Monday, December 21, 2015 from 4pm-6pm at the intersection of Central Way and Third Street in downtown Kirkland, many will gather with candles and signs with one simple message: peace.

In an unusual move, there is no political agenda for this gathering. The goal is to show that the local community, and by extension the larger world, can stand together despite differences. People of many backgrounds have been working together to build relationships across faiths with no motive beyond respect for the other.

The Vigil for Peace is co-sponsored by F.I.R.E. (Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside) and Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church. Everyone in the larger community is invited to participate.

Interfaith Dinner Dialogue on November 8 — “When Faith and Public Life Collide”

tree F.I.R.E. (Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside) invites you to the sixth in a series of Dinner Dialogues aimed at fostering interfaith relationships, on Sunday, November 8, 5PM to 8PM, hosted by Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Avenue South, in Kirkland.

This Dialogue will be on the topic “When Faith and Public Life Collide: How do faith traditions handle controversial issues?”. A panel from a variety of world religions will present the perspectives of their faith communities, followed by stimulating interfaith discussions among all participants.

This is a potluck dinner, so please bring your favorite dish to share, labeled showing the ingredients to help people with food allergies and preferences make choices.

Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a fun evening of interfaith dialogue! Please email rsvp@fire-wa.org and let us know how many will be coming, so we can be sure to set up enough tables and chairs.

If you would like to invite others to the Dinner Dialogue, you can download and print a a full-color flyer, or download and print a two-per-page bulletin insert.

Interfaith Dinner Dialogue on May 17 — “Prosperity and Poverty”

Open, respectful and interesting conversation about things that really matter – that’s what happens at the twice-a-year Dinner Dialogues sponsored by Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside (F.I.R.E.). The next Dinner Dialogue is Sunday, May 17, from 5-8pm, at Temple B’Nai Torah, 15727 NE 4th Street, in Bellevue. The topic will be “Prosperity and Poverty: What do faith traditions say about disparity?”

The evening will begin with a potluck dinner. Out of respect for the traditions at the Temple, guests are requested this time not to bring any dishes containing shellfish or pork. Guests are also encouraged to label the dishes with contents (labels provided) so others may avoid allergens or other food intolerances. Consideration is a watchword at these events, and the way that food is handled exemplifies that spirit.

Following the dinner, there will be a panel discussion representing a wide range of faith traditions. Each panelist speaks informally about the topic for the evening, followed by a question and answer period, which often includes give and take among the panelists, as well as questions and comments from the audience. Armed perhaps with some new information, guests are then encouraged to share conversation in smaller groups around their tables, and “report out” new insights.

Anyone from the Eastside is welcome to attend, whether or not they are affiliated with a faith tradition. The only entrance “requirement” is an open mind, and a willingness to listen and share ideas respectfully. The F.I.R.E. planning team believes that opportunities like these are rare in our increasingly divided communities. “These days, most of us spend the bulk of our time talking with others like ourselves who already agree with us about many things,” said Sharon Sherrard, member of the F.I.R.E. planning team, “We’re losing the art of meaningful conversation where varied viewpoints can be expressed.”

F.I.R.E. developed following an interfaith prayer service that was held at the Kirkland Performance Center on the tenth anniversary of September 11. This is the fifth Dialog Dinner they have sponsored. Past topics have included: “The Common Good, “ “Life After Death,” and “”By Whose Authority?” F.I.R.E. has also participated in the International Day of Peace and the Kirkland 4th of July Parade. For more information about F.I.R.E. please visit the website, fire-wa.org.

Interfaith Dinner Dialogue on November 22 — “In Whose Authority?”

F.I.R.E. (Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside) invites you to the fourth in a series of Dinner Dialogues aimed at fostering interfaith relationships, on Saturday, November 22, 5PM to 8PM, hosted by the Kirkland Washington Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7720 126th Avenue NE, Kirkland (in the South Rose Hill neighborhood).

This Dialogue will be on the topic “In Whose Authority: How is authority and leadership structured and carried out in your faith tradition?”. A panel from a variety of world religions will present the perspectives of their faith communities, followed by stimulating interfaith discussions among all participants.

This is a potluck dinner, so please bring your favorite dish to share, labeled showing the ingredients to help people with food allergies and preferences make choices.

If you would like to invite others to the Dinner Dialogue, you can download and print a full-page color flyer, or download and print a two-per-page bulletin insert.

Interfaith Dinner Dialogue on April 27 – “The Common Good: How does your faith community define it and act it out?”

F.I.R.E. (Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside) invites you to the third in a series of Dinner Dialogues aimed at fostering interfaith relationships, on Sunday, April 27, 5PM to 8PM, hosted by Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Avenue South, Kirkland.

This Dialogue will be on the topic “The Common Good: How does your faith community define it and act it out?”. A panel from a variety of world religions will present the perspectives of their faith communities, followed by stimulating interfaith discussions among all participants.

This is a potluck dinner, so please bring your favorite dish to share, labeled showing the ingredients to help people with food allergies and preferences make choices.

If you would like to invite others to the Dinner Dialogue, you can download and print a full-page color flyer, or download and print a two-per-page black-and-white bulletin insert.

Interfaith Dinner Dialogue on November 17 – “What Happens When We Die?”

F.I.R.E. (Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside) invites you to the second in a series of Dinner Dialogues aimed at fostering interfaith relationships, on Sunday, November 17, 5PM to 8PM, hosted by Newport Presbyterian Church, 4010 120th Ave SE, Bellevue.

This Dialogue will be on the topic “What Happens When We Die?”. A panel from a variety of world religions will present the perspectives of their faith communities, followed by stimulating interfaith discussions among all participants.

This is a potluck dinner, so please bring your favorite dish to share, labeled showing the ingredients to help people with food allergies and preferences make choices.

If you would like to invite others to the Dinner Dialogue, you can download and print a full-page color flyer, or download and print a two-per-page black-and-white bulletin insert.

Interfaith Dinner Dialogue Potluck on March 10, 2013

You’re invited to the first Eastside Interfaith Dinner Dialogue Potluck on Sunday, March 10, 5:30pm-7:30pm.

The inaugural location is Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Avenue South, Kirkland.

This is the first in a series of Dinner Dialogues aimed at fostering interfaith relationships.

This dialogue is inspired by “12 Steps to a Compassionate Life” by Karen Armstrong.

Hear from Panelists across Faith Traditions
Interfaith Sharing
Fabulous Potluck Dinner and Conversation!!!

Come, bring your favorite dish – labeled and enough to share. Enjoy a stimulating evening of Interfaith Dialogue!

Please e-mail us at RSVP@fire-wa.org and tell us how many will attend.

We’ll see you there!

Welcome to FIRE!

Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside (FIRE) is a new group that grew out of the 2010 and 2011 interfaith 9/11 commemoration programs in Kirkland, Washington. After the 2011 event, the organizers continued to meet monthly to talk about additional ways to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation on the Eastside, such as music, art, and social events (game nights, dances, etc.), a “What We Believe” lecture and discussion series, a place for faith communities to post information on public events, etc. We selected the FIRE name and acronym, and moved ahead with creating this web site. We’ve had the first FIRE event – the interfaith entry in the Kirkland 4th of July parade – and are planning the second, which will be an interfaith commemoration of the International Day of Peace on September 21-23, including an interfaith program of music and talks, a Saturday interfaith picnic, encouragement of all faith communities to consider Peace as the topic for their services that weekend, and encouraging governments to issue proclamations recognizing the International Day of Peace.

We hope you’ll join with us in promoting interfaith dialogue and peace!