If you want to post to the Portland Blog, here is the address for doing it. I think you need to sign into blogspot or something like that to get here and make a post:
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6100124615666803292&pli=1
It will automatically post as a comment to our PeaceNext group: Portland/Vancouver Friends of the Parliament. But is it a more round-about way to get something there.
Helen
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Little vignettes from Melbourne
The Peace Prayer Society of Japan, a group of elder shut-ins, has made us 1000 orgami peace dolls to give to Parliament participants. They are a wonderful expression of cross-cutural generosity, and people attending the parliament have taken them to their homes throughout the world to give to their children and grandchildren, their friends and neighbors...
The children in Christian Science Sunday schools in New Zealand, Australia and Cape Town South Africa, the site of the 1999 Parliament, have made peace flags for the Parliament and they are displayed as an informal art exhibition surrounding the Reflections Wall containing thoughts and expressions of gratitude from participants here in Melbourne... It evokes the memory of the Cape Town experience where the children from many cities and townships, made 100,000 Peace Flags that flew throughout the venues and hung over the city streets for the 8 days of the Parliament there...
The Obama Administration sent 3 representatives from their Faith Based Initiatives to gather information about what the admnistration should do and should not do and what resources are available and are needed to support interfaith initiatives that will have a positive impact on our lives... One of the people giving input challenged them, saying that there are 3 US cities bidding to bring the Parliament in 2014 back to the United States, and asking what are they prepared to do to support those bids...
Gotta go now, the last day of the Parliament is dawning--big orange sun--and there is much to do before we hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Uncle Bob Randall, one of the Stolen Generation of Aboriginal Peoples here in Australia, share their thoughts with us at the closing plenary.
Please send us your continuing support and prayers...
More when there has been time to reflect...
The children in Christian Science Sunday schools in New Zealand, Australia and Cape Town South Africa, the site of the 1999 Parliament, have made peace flags for the Parliament and they are displayed as an informal art exhibition surrounding the Reflections Wall containing thoughts and expressions of gratitude from participants here in Melbourne... It evokes the memory of the Cape Town experience where the children from many cities and townships, made 100,000 Peace Flags that flew throughout the venues and hung over the city streets for the 8 days of the Parliament there...
The Obama Administration sent 3 representatives from their Faith Based Initiatives to gather information about what the admnistration should do and should not do and what resources are available and are needed to support interfaith initiatives that will have a positive impact on our lives... One of the people giving input challenged them, saying that there are 3 US cities bidding to bring the Parliament in 2014 back to the United States, and asking what are they prepared to do to support those bids...
Gotta go now, the last day of the Parliament is dawning--big orange sun--and there is much to do before we hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Uncle Bob Randall, one of the Stolen Generation of Aboriginal Peoples here in Australia, share their thoughts with us at the closing plenary.
Please send us your continuing support and prayers...
More when there has been time to reflect...
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Huffington post about the Melbourne Parliament
This appeared today. Really great press for us and provocative food for thought!
An interesting article about the event in Melbourne, framing the real struggle as not between different religions, but between fundamentalists and pluralists in all religions...certainly a more cooperative way forward together.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-raushenbush/struggling-for-the-soul-o_b_379653.html
An interesting article about the event in Melbourne, framing the real struggle as not between different religions, but between fundamentalists and pluralists in all religions...certainly a more cooperative way forward together.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-raushenbush/struggling-for-the-soul-o_b_379653.html
Opening of the Parliament
I never imagined how difficult it would be to "blog" at the end of a really long, active and exhausting day! It requires a bit of distance and silence, to stand back and see the reflections and hear the echoes of experiences which emerge over time, through sharing and conversations.
So for this first entry for you at home, I am sharing a blog entry about the opening plenary from a colleague from Minnesota--Paul Strickland, who will present on a panel on Monday about a special model of interfaith community organizing they are doing in Minneapolis:
"The Council of the Parliament of the World’s Religions opened last night with sitars, didgeridoo, dance and song. Delegates were blessed by Zoroastrians, Jains, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Baha’is, Aborigines and Shintos. The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra provided music and song. More than 200 faith traditions were represented at the opening clothed in a multitude of ritual vestments. There were white robes, brilliant golds, blues and scarlet’s, vibrant African patterns, the black hats of Orthodox Rabbis and the purple of Anglican and Catholic bishops. A sand animation artist drew sand paintings of religious signs and symbols as the various clergy and religious representatives prayed and performed.
Parliament Chairman William Lesher said the world faced daunting problems, but the solution was spiritual. He spoke of a tidal wave of compassion sweeping the world. “We are becoming an interfaith community. Martin Luther King Jr. and others envisioned a gathering like this where people gather to build a new, just, peaceful and sustainable world, “ he said.
Keynote speaker, Rabbi David Saperstein, nominated by Newsweek magazine this year as America’s most influential rabbi, spoke passionately of living in extraordinary times.
“We are the first generation that grows enough food to feed every human on earth. Our failure to do so is a failure of moral vision and political will,” Rabbi Saperstein said.
“We are the first generation that can educate every child, that can speed freedom across the globe. Our failure to do so is a failure of moral vision and political will. But we are not prisoners of a bitter and unremitting past.”
Other speakers included Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, an Afghan woman who founded 80 underground schools for girls and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a Hindu spiritual leader whose Art of Living Foundation is active in 140 countries.
Each of the speakers honored the Aboriginal peoples who had been custodians of this land for thousands of years before the “white fella” showed up. It made me wonder if we don’t have an opportunity in the US and in Minnesota in particular to recognize those people whose blood, tears and ashes are in the soil we walk on every day. Indigenous people don’t see themselves as separate from the Earth and other beings. In their eyes, they are one and the same. I believe the Earth-wisdom that native people carry is something we all knew at some point but have since forgotten. They have much to teach us in remembering who we are and where we come from. Yesterday I attended a presentation by three Aboriginal healers. Through an interpreter, they said that to be truly healthy we had to be spiritual and to be truly spiritual we had to be healthy. They sang healing songs for us that transported the audience to an ancient time, to dream time. They said to lead a good life we needed to do two things: follow the medicine of the ancestors and to listen to the elders."
Many thanks, Paul, for your vivid description. I hope to share some of my own thoughts soon.
Helen
So for this first entry for you at home, I am sharing a blog entry about the opening plenary from a colleague from Minnesota--Paul Strickland, who will present on a panel on Monday about a special model of interfaith community organizing they are doing in Minneapolis:
"The Council of the Parliament of the World’s Religions opened last night with sitars, didgeridoo, dance and song. Delegates were blessed by Zoroastrians, Jains, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Baha’is, Aborigines and Shintos. The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra provided music and song. More than 200 faith traditions were represented at the opening clothed in a multitude of ritual vestments. There were white robes, brilliant golds, blues and scarlet’s, vibrant African patterns, the black hats of Orthodox Rabbis and the purple of Anglican and Catholic bishops. A sand animation artist drew sand paintings of religious signs and symbols as the various clergy and religious representatives prayed and performed.
Parliament Chairman William Lesher said the world faced daunting problems, but the solution was spiritual. He spoke of a tidal wave of compassion sweeping the world. “We are becoming an interfaith community. Martin Luther King Jr. and others envisioned a gathering like this where people gather to build a new, just, peaceful and sustainable world, “ he said.
Keynote speaker, Rabbi David Saperstein, nominated by Newsweek magazine this year as America’s most influential rabbi, spoke passionately of living in extraordinary times.
“We are the first generation that grows enough food to feed every human on earth. Our failure to do so is a failure of moral vision and political will,” Rabbi Saperstein said.
“We are the first generation that can educate every child, that can speed freedom across the globe. Our failure to do so is a failure of moral vision and political will. But we are not prisoners of a bitter and unremitting past.”
Other speakers included Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, an Afghan woman who founded 80 underground schools for girls and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a Hindu spiritual leader whose Art of Living Foundation is active in 140 countries.
Each of the speakers honored the Aboriginal peoples who had been custodians of this land for thousands of years before the “white fella” showed up. It made me wonder if we don’t have an opportunity in the US and in Minnesota in particular to recognize those people whose blood, tears and ashes are in the soil we walk on every day. Indigenous people don’t see themselves as separate from the Earth and other beings. In their eyes, they are one and the same. I believe the Earth-wisdom that native people carry is something we all knew at some point but have since forgotten. They have much to teach us in remembering who we are and where we come from. Yesterday I attended a presentation by three Aboriginal healers. Through an interpreter, they said that to be truly healthy we had to be spiritual and to be truly spiritual we had to be healthy. They sang healing songs for us that transported the audience to an ancient time, to dream time. They said to lead a good life we needed to do two things: follow the medicine of the ancestors and to listen to the elders."
Many thanks, Paul, for your vivid description. I hope to share some of my own thoughts soon.
Helen
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Portland Parliament Travelers arriving in Melbourne
Wednesday we heard from Lynne Taylor, Lowell Greathouse and Jan Elfers that they had safely arrived here. We had a fun dinner with Lowell and Jan and then came "home" for a good night's sleep.
Today the real fun begins, with the opening plenary this evening.
More people and posts to come!
Today the real fun begins, with the opening plenary this evening.
More people and posts to come!
Parliament opening today!
Today is the opening day of the Parliament in Melbourne. Registration opens today at 11 AM THURSDAY, and the opening plenary begins at 7:30 tonight. Excitement is building!
The beautiful program book, all 396 pages of it, can be viewed on the Parliament website--www.parliamentofreligions.org The pages at the front of the book help you to navigate all of the many program descriptions, listing them by theme, by religion, by performances / observances / intrafaith/interfatih/engagement kinds of programs, by faith tradition.
Take a look at the program and create your own Fantasy Parliament schedule: What would you want to attend if you were here? Which themes or presenters draw your attention? Which programs would be outside your comfort zone, and would stretch your understanding of how faith and interfaith can help us to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world? Have fun strolling through the offering.
Then go to the following link http://www.spiritual-resources.net/ for live webcasting of some programs and commentary by a group of great folks from the Interfaith Center at the Presidio who are here at the Parliament.
Enjoy!
The beautiful program book, all 396 pages of it, can be viewed on the Parliament website--www.parliamentofreligions.org The pages at the front of the book help you to navigate all of the many program descriptions, listing them by theme, by religion, by performances / observances / intrafaith/interfatih/engagement kinds of programs, by faith tradition.
Take a look at the program and create your own Fantasy Parliament schedule: What would you want to attend if you were here? Which themes or presenters draw your attention? Which programs would be outside your comfort zone, and would stretch your understanding of how faith and interfaith can help us to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world? Have fun strolling through the offering.
Then go to the following link http://www.spiritual-resources.net/ for live webcasting of some programs and commentary by a group of great folks from the Interfaith Center at the Presidio who are here at the Parliament.
Enjoy!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Meeting friends on the street
It is happening! Today we met several people who have come to Melbourne to attend the Parliament as we were walking down the street. Recognizing people on a street half-way around the world is a joyful and wondrous experience! We shared travel stories, mobile phone numbers and hotel locations, and expressed our excitement to be exploring Melbourne on foot.
Today the weather provided a beautiful Spring day (temps in the 60's, sunshine and a few clouds, and a stiff breeze) so exploring the town on foot was a pleasure. As we continue to walk around the city, I expect we will encounter others as our numbers grow. I have yet to meet my first Portlander, but I know that in a day or so, all will have arrived and we will find each other!
Today the weather provided a beautiful Spring day (temps in the 60's, sunshine and a few clouds, and a stiff breeze) so exploring the town on foot was a pleasure. As we continue to walk around the city, I expect we will encounter others as our numbers grow. I have yet to meet my first Portlander, but I know that in a day or so, all will have arrived and we will find each other!
Friday, November 27, 2009
People are beginning to arrive in Melbourne
I have been visiting the Melbourne "Hub" office of our staff here, and have begun to hear stories of people arriving from around the world. One of our partners here related the story of his daughter who, returning from a trip to Chile, sat next to a woman who said she was coming to Melbourne for the Parliament, and remarked that she thought Melbourne was a splendid site for this great event.
The buzz is building for the Parliament, with signs and posters appearing all over town in coffee houses and bistros, book stores, on the front lawn of St. Paul's Cathedral in the Central Business District, and many other places. Monday will see a 16-page pull out section of Melbourne's main newspaper.
As more participants and presenters arrive, I expect to begin seeing people on the streets of Melbourne who I know or will get to know during the coming week of programs and celebrations.
And the city is being bathed by a blessed rain, after 10 years of drought and the disastrous fires. So all is well "down under".
More to come...
The buzz is building for the Parliament, with signs and posters appearing all over town in coffee houses and bistros, book stores, on the front lawn of St. Paul's Cathedral in the Central Business District, and many other places. Monday will see a 16-page pull out section of Melbourne's main newspaper.
As more participants and presenters arrive, I expect to begin seeing people on the streets of Melbourne who I know or will get to know during the coming week of programs and celebrations.
And the city is being bathed by a blessed rain, after 10 years of drought and the disastrous fires. So all is well "down under".
More to come...
Reflections on the trip over...
Last night, Don and I (mostly) slept our way across the Pacific Ocean, flying from LA to New Zealand, where we are now waiting to connect to our Melbourne flight.
I don't think most of us fully appreciate how HUGE the Pacific Ocean really is--well over 6,000 miles from LA to New Zealand, and then another 4 hours flight to Melbourne!
At some point, just before dawn, I opened the shade and looked out to see the southern stars in a sky that had absolutely no light reflected from below to obscure their clarity. And right there, with the lowest star just above the horizon, I saw the Southern Cross-so tall that it looked to extend fully 1/4 of the way up the bowl of the sky!
We are really looking forward to exploring Melbourne for a few days before the Parliament event opens next Thursday, and will keep our eyes open for Parliament "signs" in the city. When we find them, we will post them here, for all to see.
I don't think most of us fully appreciate how HUGE the Pacific Ocean really is--well over 6,000 miles from LA to New Zealand, and then another 4 hours flight to Melbourne!
At some point, just before dawn, I opened the shade and looked out to see the southern stars in a sky that had absolutely no light reflected from below to obscure their clarity. And right there, with the lowest star just above the horizon, I saw the Southern Cross-so tall that it looked to extend fully 1/4 of the way up the bowl of the sky!
We are really looking forward to exploring Melbourne for a few days before the Parliament event opens next Thursday, and will keep our eyes open for Parliament "signs" in the city. When we find them, we will post them here, for all to see.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Welcome to our Portland Parliament Friends Blog
Hello, Portland Parliament Travelers and Portland Parliament friends.
The Parliament of the World's Religions will begin in Melbourne Australia, on December 3, 2009, with people from over 70 countries and all the worlds faith traditions, spiritual practices, and good will and values gathering to learn from each other and find ways to make this a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.
A group of about 10 people from the Portland /Vancouver area (including one great friend and colleague from Seattle) will go to Melbourne and participate, with over 500 programs,observances and performances to choose from during the 7 days of the Parliament event.
Those staying here can find the entire Parliament Program offering at www.parliamentofreligions.org (click on the Programs Tab and go to which ever day or theme you find interesting) so you can see what people from everywhere are sharing and what we will have the opportunity to learn.
Also, I encourage you to join the Parliament social network--PeaceNext.org--to see what people from around the world are saying about the Parliament, and to tap into the tremendous energy and momentum generated by a Parliament gathering. We have created a Portland Parliament Friends group on PeaceNext.org, which we can continue to use to stay connected with each other during and after the Parliament event. Plans for our Post Parliament event on February 21, 2010 will begin to appear out there soon after we return from Melbourne.
Some of our group have already left on their journey, and the rest of us will depart over the coming 10 days. Please wish us safe travels, and return to this blog often to see what stories we have to share.
The Parliament of the World's Religions will begin in Melbourne Australia, on December 3, 2009, with people from over 70 countries and all the worlds faith traditions, spiritual practices, and good will and values gathering to learn from each other and find ways to make this a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.
A group of about 10 people from the Portland /Vancouver area (including one great friend and colleague from Seattle) will go to Melbourne and participate, with over 500 programs,observances and performances to choose from during the 7 days of the Parliament event.
Those staying here can find the entire Parliament Program offering at www.parliamentofreligions.org (click on the Programs Tab and go to which ever day or theme you find interesting) so you can see what people from everywhere are sharing and what we will have the opportunity to learn.
Also, I encourage you to join the Parliament social network--PeaceNext.org--to see what people from around the world are saying about the Parliament, and to tap into the tremendous energy and momentum generated by a Parliament gathering. We have created a Portland Parliament Friends group on PeaceNext.org, which we can continue to use to stay connected with each other during and after the Parliament event. Plans for our Post Parliament event on February 21, 2010 will begin to appear out there soon after we return from Melbourne.
Some of our group have already left on their journey, and the rest of us will depart over the coming 10 days. Please wish us safe travels, and return to this blog often to see what stories we have to share.
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