2012 Year of Interfaith Understanding - Grand Valley State University

I have read and agree with the "Congregation Council Purpose and Protocols" and understand that this submission is subject to approval by the 2012 Year of Interfaith Understanding Congregations Council Steering Committee to be included on the project's calendar. Click here to view the full terms and conditions. *

Congregations Council of the "2012 Year of Interfaith Understanding" Purpose and Protocols

Purpose:

The Congregation Council will recruit and encourage congregations/faith groups to participate in the 2012 Year of Interfaith Understanding as part of a community-wide celebration of different faiths, including by sponsoring various "Expressions" of interfaith understanding, through learning and understanding more about each other through education, dialogue, communication and partnerships, in order that individuals and congregations will:

take and sustain action together for the community good;
move from tolerance to acceptance of each other as people of faith; and,
will be important expressions of a community that values diversity and respect for each person.

Protocols:

Eligibility

Any congregation or faith group is encouraged to be a "Sponsor" of an expression of interfaith understanding within the framework of the "2012 Year of Interfaith Understanding" and its committees, by:

Agreeing to the purpose of the Year "to invite the community to become involved in a variety of events, dialogues, presentations, etc., aimed at increasing interfaith understanding in this community over the next year."
Registering its expression and goal through the "2012 Year of Faith Understanding" website (www.2012gr.org)
Becoming a member of the Congregations Council
Linking its website to that of the "Year of Interfaith Understanding - 2012"

Rules:

General

The interfaith understanding "Expression" will promote interfaith dialogue and/or interfaith cooperative action and specifically will not proselytize nor disparage nor be conducted at the expense of another faith or tradition.
The "Sponsor" is responsible for all arrangements and promotion of its own expression of interfaith understanding.
The Congregations Council and/or the "2012 Year of Interfaith Understanding" Steering Committee will approve the registration of submitted Expressions according to these protocols and will list all registered expressions on its website and in the calendar.
The Congregations Council will promote the various expressions in its general promotion of the year in order to reach the larger community and will make sure that such promotion provides a balance among all the expressions and the full spectrum of faith traditions in the community.
The Council will provide a listing of resources and referrals on the website for the assistance of sponsors and for general information.

Registration

Process the registration online through the website (www.2012gr.org)
Describe the "Expression" for listing and promotion (category, date/time, intended audience)

Congregations Council

Website listing of all members, including the Steering Committee
"Sign on" (required) if a congregation/group is sponsoring an interfaith understanding "Expression"
Voluntary "Sign on" if the congregation/group agrees to the purpose and wants to endorse the effort
Congregation/Group listing
Individual listing (to include congregation/organization for identification only)

First Name: *
Last Name: *
Email: *
Phone Number: * (000-000-0000)
Website:

Title: *
Date: *
Time: *
Location: *

Address: *
City: *
State: *
Zip Code: *
Description: *
Audience: *
Cost: *
Goal of Expression: * How will this expression meet the purpose of the "Year of Interfaith Understanding?" (Check all that apply)
We will provide the opportunity... For others to learn about my/another faith tradition To share discussion and perspectives on a specific topic or faith tradition To share study together in an interfaith setting To work in an interfaith partnership on a service project
Please briefly explain your goal: *
Category: *
Check all that apply: Event (One time public expression) Speaker (Presentation in congregation or public arena) Education (Ongoing class, presentation, series, or group) Project (Service project with interfaith partner(s))
Partner Congregation(s):
Recommended Resource Link:
Name to be listed in the Congregation Council:

Congregational Expression Registration