South Coast Interfaith Council Weekly Email – June 18, 2008

[the SCIC Weekly Email News is now  on hiatus for a few months.]

 

THANK YOU ALL, so very, very much, for being a part of my 17 1/2 year Interfaith Adventure with the SCIC.  I have been very blessed to have had this opportunity and to connect with so many, many like-minded folk who have a commitment to interfaith understanding and cooperation and who volunteer of their time, talents and resources to make it possible.  Also, I’ve been blessed to work with the dedicated Program Staff: Amelia Nieto, Dale Whitney, Dr. Bill Scar, Dr. Lester Kim.  And, of course, Patty Lance, Office Secretary (…I hope you take especially good care of her…!), as well as Melody O’Keefe, our Controller.

 

I’ve worked with the following Presidents: Rev. V.K. Vose, Rev. Dr. Mary Ellen Kilsby, Bobbie Smith, Rev. Gary Shoemaker, Lowell Johnson, Rev. Joel Hummel, Sr. Barbara Boudreau, Marilyn Russell Bittle, Rev. Ken McMillan, Rev. Nickolas Milatos, Rev. Michael Roebert, Elder “Rob” Robbins, Dottie Wine, Rev. Dr. Reinhard Krauss, Rabbi Howard Laibson, John Ishvaradas Abdallah, Gretchen Krutz, and currently, Rev. Duane Moret---and approximately 250-300 members of the Board of Directors, during that time.

 

Some of those who were special to the SCEC/SCIC, but passed on during my tenure: Rev. Dr. Ralph Mosby, Marion Morgan, Andy Anderson, Dorothy Hodges, Ray Van Alstine, Rev. Hugh Burcham, Trini Alvillar, Rev. Alan Richardson, Olivia Herrera, Roberta Stabbard, Dr. Bill Mays, Dr. Richard Harris, Dr. Joe Read, Rev. Dr. Emerson Hangen, Keith Person, Rev. David Harada, Rev. Dick Houghtby-Hadden, Polly Lamken, Fr. Lawrence Caruso, Bishop Carl Fisher,  Helen Carpenter, Bernelle Harbert, Joanne O’Byrne, Marian Read, Rev. Ford Miller….I know there were more, so forgive me if I’ve forgotten to list some, but I wanted to especially to lift up their names for your remembrance.

 

I’ve written about my highlights in the print news and Tribute Book (for the dinner), so will not repeat them here.  There were many.

 

Things I wish I had done better:  fund raising & fund development including getting the Endowment up to a critical mass; developing a youth advisory committee and having more outreach to the youth; promoting the new Week of Prayer for Interfaith Understanding; even more membership development of faith communities for the SCIC.

 

But all in all, I’m very satisfied with my service to the SCIC (….”modest Mom”…is what my daughters call me at times….) and I am optimistic for its continued vitality.  It has been my “dream job”.

 

I turn in my keys June 30 and will be spending most of July in Palo Alto helping out with grandchildren and looking for an apartment.  [My condo still hasn’t sold, but I’d like to move up in August if I can. Health-wise, I’ve been doing much better since the beginning of the year.]

 

You may continue to keep in touch with me via my email: revgwagener@yahoo.com, and again, THANKS SO MUCH! Celebrate Life! Much love, Ginny

……………………………………………………………………………………

 

THIS SUNDAY come to the first Interfaith Café for the summer, our third series!  bring your family, friends, youth (13-21)  and put in bulletins & newsletters:

Summer SCIC INTERFAITH CAFES: Sundays, 2-5 p.m.: 

June 22, St. Margaret Mary Catholic, 25511 Eshelman Ave, Lomita 90717

(co-host, South Bay Islamic Center)

July 20, Grace First Presbyterian, 3955 Studebaker Rd, Long Beach 90808

(co-host, Temple Israel)

August 17, Pacific Unitarian, 5621 Montemalaga Dr, RPV, 90275

(co-host, Vedanta Society of Los Angeles)

These are opportunities for lay people and youth (clergy and religious leaders also invited!)  to learn from one another about how their faith impacts their daily life and about basic beliefs, celebrations, and values of different faith traditions.  These conversations, over refreshments, enhance the ability to understand, respect and appreciate other religions. Come to one or all of them! Bring your friends & family.

 

SAVE the DATE & plan to participate:  SCIC Labor Day INTERFAITH BIKE-A-THON, Mon Sept 1.  For more information and to register, unityride08@aol.com, 562-428-5037.

 

SOUTH BAY BRAHMA KUMARIS OPEN HOUSE, June-August, Saturdays 3-5 pm; Sundays 1-3 pm, Unit 2, 22940 Maple, Torrance, Raja Yoga Exhibit, tea, discussion, 310-891-3008, yogeshwariben@gmail.com, www.bkwsu.org

 

HISTORIAN NEEDED by the SCIC to maintain our Scrapbooks!  Please call or email if this is something you might be willing to take on! Thanks!

 

SOCIAL CONCERNS ANNOUNCEMENTS:

--See Social Concerns website: www.scinterfaith.org/social_concerns.htm and click on SCC-NEWS)

 

 

Items included in this email news do not represent any endorsement or sponsorship by the SCIC unless otherwise indicated. They are included primarily for the possible interest of SCIC member faith communities and friends. Your comments and suggestions are invited.

 

South Coast Interfaith Council Weekly Email – June 10, 2008

[After next week the SCIC Weekly Email News will be on hiatus for a few months, as it has been the last few summers.  Announcements on SCIC related events will still go out by email as needed. July is traditionally a “no meeting month” for the SCIC, its committees and programs.]

The SCIC INDIVIDUAL GIFTS CAMPAIGN is in progress.  Thank you to all who have participated and who responded to our Phon-a-thon on Sunday.  If you support our Mission, Vision & Values, and haven’t already donated, make a check to the SCIC and send it to 759 Linden Ave., Long Beach 90813.  Thank you!

MILIA ISLAM-MAJEED will begin as Executive Director on August 1^st.  Meanwhile she is out-of-state helping with an ill relative. Attached (and below the signature line) is more information about Milia, and also, a photo.

PHOTOS, please!  If any of you took photos of the Retirement Dinner or of me with you at the event, could I please have copies?  My son-in-law, who was taking a lot of pictures, lost his camera at the Country Club. Thanks! Ginny

BRING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND PUT IN BULLETINS & NEWSLETTERS:
Summer SCIC INTERFAITH CAFES: Sundays, 2-5 p.m.: 

June 22, St. Margaret Mary Catholic, 25511 Eshelman Ave, Lomita 90717
(co-host, South Bay Islamic Center)
July 20, Grace First Presbyterian, 3955 Studebaker Rd, Long Beach 90808
(co-host, Temple Israel)
August 17, Pacific Unitarian, 5621 Montemalaga Dr, RPV, 90275
(co-host, Vedanta Society of Los Angeles)
These are opportunities for lay people and youth (clergy and religious leaders also invited!)  to learn from one another about how their faith impacts their daily life and about basic beliefs, celebrations, and values of different faith traditions.  These conversations, over refreshments, enhance the ability to understand, respect and appreciate other religions. Come to one or all of them! Bring your friends & family.

SAVE the DATE & plan to participate:  SCIC Labor Day INTERFAITH BIKE-A-THON, Mon Sept 1.  For more information and to register, unityride08@aol.com, 562-428-5037.

NATIONAL RELIGIOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST TORTURE, Mon June 16, 7 p.m., First Congregational UCC, LB, 241 Cedar Ave; the founder will speak, 562-436-2256.

COMMUNITY & POLICE DIALOGUE, Tues June 17 & 18, 5:30-9:00 p.m., “to better understand our Community and the Police”, free dinner and child care, Washington Middle School Library, 1450 Cedar Ave., LB, RSVP: 562-435-8184, avera@cacej.org

LB AIDS WALK, Sat June 21, beginning at the Pike, 8:30 a.m.

BRAIN-MIND FITNESS PROGRAM, Sat June 21, 5:30 p.m., Seaside Community Ch, 22940 Ocean Ave., Torrance 90505, presented by the Vedanta International Cultural Center, featuring talks and a free workshop on total health management (bring water bottle, yoga mat or square pillow, wear comfortable clothes; Vegetarian Dinner, 7:30 p.m., (free will donation), RSVP: 310-569-5569, vedanta.intculctr@gmail.com

MUSIC WITHOUT BORDERS CONCERT, MOLAA (Museum of Latin American Art), LB, Sun June 29, 3 p.m.,  featuring Carlos Chavez and William Grant Still, as well as The Angeles Players and Hope Foye, FREE, LB Central Area Association,  jmalveaux@gmail.com

“DISCIPLES” in the HOLYLAND & ROME TOUR, $2500 (11 days, plus optional Egypt extension) March 9, 2009 from New York, led by Rev. Karyn Reddick (SCIC Board).  For brochure and more information, 562-933-1452, ksreddick@memorialcar.org

SOCIAL CONCERNS ANNOUNCEMENTS:
--See Social Concerns website: www.scinterfaith.org/social_concerns.htm and click on SCC-NEWS)

Items included in this email news do not represent any endorsement or sponsorship by the SCIC unless otherwise indicated. They are included primarily for the possible interest of SCIC member faith communities and friends. Your comments and suggestions are invited.

Milia Islam-Majeed is the daughter of immigrant parents who migrated here in 1986 from Bangladesh.  She has since then lived in the United States spending most of her childhood and adolescence in a small Midwestern town of Fulton, Missouri.  She obtained her undergraduate degree in World Religions and Psychology from Westminster College in Missouri and thereafter moved to Boston, MA for her graduate work.  She is a 2004 graduate of Harvard Divinity School where she earned her Masters in Theological Studies of the World Religions. 

While at Harvard she gained the essential knowledge needed to understand and work with members of diverse ethnic, cultural, social, economic, racial and religious communities. Aside from academics, she initiated activities that were both educational and relevant to the times with the goal of serving individuals espousing various faith traditions. 

Her deep commitment to interfaith work continued beyond the completion of her graduate studies.  Post graduation Milia served as the Program Director of “Community Empowerment Project” in Boston, MA.  This federally funded year-long program included working with the marginalized immigrant and refugee community and their involvement in building bridges across racial, ethnic, religion, cultural and neighborhood divides in Cambridge and greater Boston. 

Prior to becoming the Executive Director of SCIC, she was the Program Manager of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Leadership Development Center in Plainfield, Indiana.  Milia’s primary responsibility lied in program design, development and execution of leadership trainings as well as seminars for community leaders and members focusing on understanding the religious and cultural diversity vibrant in America today. 

In her tenure at ISNA she participated in over 20 interfaith discussions, forums and programs through faith based organizations, academic institutions, governmental agencies as well as the general community.  These programs addressed on multiple topics including how to co-exist in a pluralistic society.  Most recently, she was part of an interfaith program sponsored by the US Department of State where an American delegation of six scholars and community leaders were invited to Indonesia to participate in interfaith dialogues focusing on religion and society.

Her passion and commitment to interfaith work has been existent and illustrated throughout her personal, academic and professional life.  She is very excited about starting this new position and hopes to serve both the SCIC as well as the greater community in an effective manner and very much looks forward to working with the interfaith community existent here in Southern California.   

Milia Islam-Majeed