FIRE Interfaith Peace Day Picnic on Sunday, September 24

You’re invited to join us!

FIRE Interfaith Peace Day Picnic
Sunday, September 24, 1PM-3PM
Grasslawn Park, Redmond
Dome Picnic Shelter

International Day of Peace BannerIn recognition of the United Nations International Day of Peace celebrated on the first day of Autumn each year, please join us for a meal and conversation with friends from many faiths! There will be no formal program — just an opportunity to get to know each other and reflect on how we can help promote peace in the world.

Food Options

Lunch will be provided at no cost for the first 80 attendees, but donations are appreciated. Lunch will be catered by Foody Moody. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options will be available, including Garbanzo Beans and Rice, Lentils and Spinach, Potatoes and Spinach, Chicken Curry with Rice, and Chicken Tikka Masala. If you prefer different food for your dietary requirements or preferences, please bring your own picnic lunch and join in the conversation! You’re also invited to bring a dessert to share with everyone, with ingredients labeled.

Donations to help defray the cost of food and picnic shelter rental may be made at the picnic by cash or check, or you can donate online at https://www.kirklandinterfaith.net/donate/ (Kirkland Interfaith Network is the fiscal agent for FIRE).

Seating at the dome is on picnic table benches. You’re welcome to bring camp chairs or other alternative seating if you prefer.

Location and Directions

The address of Grass Lawn Park is 7031 148th Ave NE in Redmond. The Dome picnic shelter is in the southwest corner of Grass Lawn Park and most easily accessed from Parking Lot 2 on Old Redmond Road.

From I-405, take exit 17 for NE 70th Place. Head east on NE 70th Place about 2 miles. When you pass 144th Ave NE on your right, take the next left turn into the parking lot for Grass Lawn Park (if you get to the signal at 148th Ave NE, you’ve gone too far). The picnic shelter is about a 100-yard walk from the parking area — look for the dome.

If you’re coming from 148th Avenue NE, head west on Old Redmond Road. The entrance to the parking lot is the first driveway on the right, about a quarter mile from 148th Avenue.

Grass Lawn Park is served by the Metro RapidRide B Line and lines 225 and 245. You can check schedules at https://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/.

Map Showing Location of Dome Picnic Shelter Within Grass Lawn Park
Location of Grass Lawn Park Dome Picnic Shelter
Photo of Grass Lawn Park Picnic Dome
Grass Lawn Park Dome Picnic Shelter

If you have any questions, please email rsvp@fire-wa.org.

We look forward to seeing you! 

Parade Lineup Information to Walk with FIRE in the Kirkland 4th of July Parade

The organizers of the Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July Parade have sent out the parade sequence and lineup locations! FIRE will be entry #51 in the parade (out of 67 entries). Our lineup position is west of Market Street on 5th Avenue W. It will likely be in the vicinity of 2nd Street W; the map below shows the approximate location. There will be small signs along the edge of the roadway showing the position numbers – just look for #51. Note that we will be immediately following the group from The Dawoodi Borha Community of Seattle, who meet in Kirkland — a great opportunity for us to get to know each other!

Approximate FIRE Lineup Parade Position
Approximate FIRE Lineup Parade Position

A map of the parade route appears below. Note that the total walking distance from our lineup position, through the route, and back to the disbanding point on Market Street is about 1.2 miles and takes about 30 minutes at parade walking pace.

Celebrate Kirkland Parade Route
Celebrate Kirkland Parade Route

The closest place with a significant amount of parking is Kirkland City Hall including the Wester Lot just to its south, but there’s also a lot of parking along Market Street (north of 7th Avenue) and on surrounding neighborhood streets both east and west of Market. There are many other parking lots in downtown Kirkland, although getting to them can be a challenge with street closures for the parade. You can find information on parking in downtown Kirkland at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Transportation/Downtown-Parking-Information. You can also take King County Metro, although note that the 255 route will be modified because of the parade road closures (see the Service Advisory at https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/routes-and-service/schedules-and-maps/255.

As mentioned previously, the parade starts at Noon. However, being in position #51, there will be some waiting time before our group will start moving. Feel free to come whenever it works for you, to mingle and chat with folks in our group and others around. The earlier you come, the easier it is to find parking. If you need to use a toilet while waiting, portable facilities will be located in the Heritage Hall parking lot and at the corner of 2nd Street W and Waverly Way.

Participants in the parade are encouraged to wear clothing typical for their faith to help show the diversity of faiths participating in the FIRE group, t-shirts promoting peace and understanding, or other clothing of their choice. Those walking should wear sensible shoes; hats and sunscreen are advised, as the weather forecast for parade time is 78-80 degrees with bright sun; you may also want to bring water. Participants are welcome to carry signs and banners promoting peace, love, unity, and understanding.

If you have any questions, please email info@fire-wa.org or contact Toby at 206-790-6377. Hope to see you on Tuesday!

Walk with FIRE in the Kirkland 4th of July Parade!

Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside (FIRE) invites members of all faith traditions and communities to walk with us in the 2023 Kirkland 4th of July Parade.

Participants in the parade are encouraged to wear clothing typical for their faith to help show the diversity of faiths participating in the FIRE group, t-shirts promoting peace and understanding, or other clothing of their choice. Those walking should wear sensible shoes; hats and sunscreen are advised (at least, let us hope they’re necessary!). Participants are welcome to carry signs and banners promoting peace, love, unity, and understanding.

The parade starts at Noon. It follows a route through Marina Park and around the downtown core, a total walking distance of about one mile; see the map below. Participants are asked to line up at the designated point in the Market neighborhood north of Heritage Park by 11AM. The position in the parade and the exact location at which the FIRE group will assemble will be assigned around July 1, posted on the FIRE web site, and emailed to FIRE email lists and all who RSVP.

Those interested in participating in the parade should email rsvp@fire-wa.org. Information on the group’s position in the parade and assembly point will be sent as soon as they are known. We will also send recommended parking locations along with the line-up information; you can also consider taking King County Metro to the Kirkland Transit Center which is downtown near the parade route.

For more information on the parade, visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Parks-and-Community-Services/Register-for-a-Recreation-Program/Celebrate-Kirkland (note that the parade is now an official City of Kirkland event rather than being sponsored by the Kirkland Downtown Association). For further information on FIRE or our group in the parade, email info@fire-wa.org or contact Toby at 206-790-6377.

Celebrate Kirkland Parade Route
Celebrate Kirkland Parade Route

Save the NEW Date! Interfaith Dialogue on the Bahá’í Faith on November 6

Symbol of Bahai FaithThe next FIRE interfaith dialogue has now been rescheduled and will be on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 6:30PM. If you have it on your calendar on October 23, please update it to the new date and time. The topic will be the Bahá’í Faith. The dialogue will once again be available both in-person and online. More details will be provided as the event approaches including online registration, but for now please put this on your calendar! Please email info@fire-wa.org if you have any questions or comments.

Save the Date! Interfaith Dialogue on the Bahá’í Faith on October 23

Symbol of Bahai FaithThe next FIRE interfaith dialogue is scheduled for Sunday, October 23, 2022, at 7PM. The topic will be the Bahá’í Faith. The dialogue will once again be available both in-person and online. More details will be provided as the event approaches including online registration, but for now please put this on your calendar! Please email info@fire-wa.org if you have any questions or comments.

Parade Lineup Information to Walk with FIRE in the Kirkland 4th of July Parade

The organizers of the Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July Parade have sent out the parade sequence and lineup locations! FIRE will be entry #51 in the parade (out of 70 entries). Our lineup position is approximately 400 feet west of Market Street on 5th Avenue W. That is just to the east of 2nd Street W, roughly in front of the home at 135 5th Ave W. The map below shows the approximate location. There will be small signs along the edge of the roadway showing the position numbers – just look for #51.

FIRE Parade Position for 2022 Celebrate Kirkland
FIRE Parade Position for 2022 Celebrate Kirkland

The closest place with a significant amount of parking is Kirkland City Hall including the Wester Lot just to its south, but there’s also a lot of parking along Market Street and on surrounding neighborhood streets. You can find information on parking in downtown Kirkland at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Transportation/Downtown-Parking-Information. You can also take King County Metro, although note that the 255 route will be modified because of the parade road closures (see the service advisory at https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/metro/data/service-advisories/pdf/22-spe-136-rts234-255-celebrate-kirkland-4th-of-july-jul4.pdf).

As mentioned previously, the parade starts at Noon. However, being in position #51, there will be some waiting time before our group will start moving. Feel free to come whenever it works for you, to mingle and chat with folks in our group and others around. The earlier you come, the easier it is to find parking.

Participants in the parade are encouraged to wear clothing typical for their faith to help show the diversity of faiths participating in the FIRE group, t-shirts promoting peace and understanding, or other clothing of their choice. Those walking should wear sensible shoes; hats and sunscreen are advised (at least, let us hope they’re necessary!). Participants are welcome to carry signs and banners promoting peace, love, unity, and understanding.

You may also want to bring some water to stay hydrated. Earlier predictions of rain have given way to clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon – the parade time forecast is 63 and cloudy, with rain ending by midnight on Sunday. But of course you never really know what’s going to happen in the Pacific Northwest!

If you have any questions, please email info@fire-wa.org or contact Toby at 206-790-6377. Hope to see you on Monday!

Celebrate Kirkland Parade Route
Celebrate Kirkland Parade Route

Walk with FIRE in the Kirkland 4th of July Parade!

Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside (FIRE) invites members of all faith traditions and communities to walk with them in the 2022 Kirkland 4th of July Parade. The theme for this year is “Celebrate Kirkland, Together Again”.

Participants in the parade are encouraged to wear clothing typical for their faith to help show the diversity of faiths participating in the FIRE group, t-shirts promoting peace and understanding, or other clothing of their choice. Those walking should wear sensible shoes; hats and sunscreen are advised (at least, let us hope they’re necessary!). Participants are welcome to carry signs and banners promoting peace, love, unity, and understanding.

The parade starts at Noon. It follows a route through Marina Park and around the downtown core, a total walking distance of about one mile; see the map below. Participants are asked to line up at the designated point in the Market neighborhood north of Heritage Park by 11AM. The position in the parade and the exact location at which the FIRE group will assemble will be assigned around July 1, posted on the FIRE web site, and emailed to FIRE email lists and all who RSVP.

Those interested in participating in the parade should email rsvp@fire-wa.org. Information on the group’s position in the parade and assembly point will be sent as soon as they are known. We will also send recommended parking locations along with the line-up information; you can also consider taking King County Metro to the Kirkland Transit Center which is downtown near the parade route.

For more information on the parade, visit https://kirklanddowntown.org/events/celebrate-kirkland/. For further information on FIRE or our group in the parade, email info@fire-wa.org or contact Toby at 206-790-6377.

Celebrate Kirkland Parade Route
Celebrate Kirkland Parade Route

Interfaith Dialogue on Judaism – June 12, 2022

Star of DavidFostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside (FIRE) invites you to our 19th Interfaith Dialogue on Sunday, June 12, 7:00-8:30PM. This Dialogue will be conducted as a “hybrid” meeting which you can attend in person at Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church (308 4th Avenue South, Kirkland) or online using Zoom conferencing. Please register for the Dialogue on EventBrite at https://fire-interfaith-dialogue-on-judaism.eventbrite.com; the Zoom link will be emailed before the event to everyone who has registered.

The topic for this Dialogue is “Judaism”. Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg of Congregation Kol Ami in Kirkland will share with us on a variety of topics such as the following:

  • What is the history of Judaism? How did it originate, and how has it evolved over time?
  • How is Judaism organized on both a local and worldwide basis? How are leaders selected?
  • What would the world miss if Judaism never existed? What are its unique teachings?
  • How does Judaism spread the faith to new adherents at this time?
  • What are common misconceptions about Judaism and how do you explain them?
  • How did you first learn of Judaism? What prompted you to follow that faith?
  • How does the practice of Judaism affect your life day-to-day in modern America?
  • If one wanted to learn more about Judaism, what are some introductory resources?

The presentation will be followed by open Q&A with the audience, both in the room and on Zoom. For those in the room, participants will be able to raise their hand to be recognized and then come to a microphone. For those on Zoom, the moderator will use the Zoom “Raise Hand” feature to identify who would like to ask a question, and enable audio and video for each person in turn to ask their question live; you will need to unmute to be heard, and may enable video if you choose.

The Dialogue will be recorded and shared on the FIRE web site after the event. If you are participating via Zoom and do not want to appear on the video, please don’t turn on your video or ask to be recognized for a question. If you are in the meeting room and do not want to be on the video, an area will be designated that will not be visible on camera; please choose a seat in that area.

Following the dialogue, we will have open discussion among all attendees for those who would like to participate.

Note that this Dialogue will not include a dinner for those attending in person; please eat before coming if you wish.

If you have any questions about the Dialogue, please email rsvp@fire-wa.org.

 

Recording and Presentations for Interfaith Dialogue on Islam

Symbol of IslamThanks to all of you who joined us for our 18th Interfaith Dialogue on the topic of Islam. Thanks again to all the presenters!

As we promised, here are links to the presentations (combined into a single PDF) and to the recording of the Zoom conference. We hope you find them useful!

If you have any feedback on this Dialogue or suggestions for future Dialogues, please email us at info@fire-wa.org.

Recording and Presentations for Interfaith Dialogue on Zoroastrianism

Thanks to all of you who joined us for our 17th Interfaith Dialogue on the topic of Zoroastrianism. We’ve received very positive feedback, and are planning now for future dialogues in the same format. Thanks again to all of the presenters!

As we promised, here are links to the presentation (in both Powerpoint and PDF format) and to the recording of the Zoom conference. We hope you find them useful! Note that the PDF file is “static”, while the Powerpoint file shows the animations.

If you have any feedback on this Dialogue or suggestions for future Dialogues, please email us at info@fire-wa.org.