DECEMBER 2005 ISSUE
Mall Area Religious Council (MARC) Mall of America Bloomington,
Minnesota USA
“Interfaith has become a globalized industry and is breaking out
all over.” (Rabbi, Chicago)
Topics covered in this e-Newsletter:
1. December Interfaith Event held at Mall of America
2. News Item on MARC Board of Directors
3. Parliament of World’s Religions - Twin Cities Chapter
4. “The Bridge Between Our Theology And Our Ethical Actions”
5. Interfaith Signage at Mall of America
6. A Public Prayer Space Vital for Mall of America’s Future
7. Next MARC BOARD Meeting -- February 9, 2006
1. December Interfaith Event held at Mall of America
The 13th Annual “Holy Days Holidays of Thanksgiving Around the
World” Exhibition at Mall of America December 7-10,
2005, is an
Interfaith attraction bringing together shoppers, visitors and
employees
from every race, creed, culture, orientation, ethnic background and
religion. Twenty-five volunteers from this span of diversity,
within the
41 MARC Member Faith Groups will provide warm interfaith hospitality
& Holy Days displays of interest to thousands who visit the
exhibit
over this 4 day Holiday Weekend at the Mall. Welcome!
2. News item on MARC Board of Directors.
Our recently elected 12 member 2006 Board of Directors represents
an increasing diversity of religions and cultural backgrounds. Ten
Faith
Orientations comprise the board membership. We have two strong
nominations to fill our need for an active Buddhist representation.
3. Parliament of World’s Religions -- Twin Cities Chapter
Accept the open invitation for the public -- to the monthly meetings
of the
Twin Cities Chapter of the Parliament of World’s Religions.
This marvelous
interfaith fellowship and learning experience is held the 4th Tuesday
of the
month 7-9 PM at the Bahai Center, 3644 Chicago Ave. So., Minneapolis
No December event, but see # 4. for info on the Jan. 24, 2006 meeting)
4. “Bridge Between Our Theology & Our Ethical Actions”
The Parliament of World’s Religions is pleased to announce
Father David Smith, Professor, Department of Peace & Justice
of St. Thomas University, will be the speaker at the January 24,
2006 Meeting 7-9 PM, on the timely topic, “The Bridge Between
Our Theological and Our Ethical Actions.” It will be held at
the
Bahai Center, 3644 Chicago Ave. So., Mpls. Reading materials
on this topic are available, but not a prerequsect. Email or
phone
Ira Gordon at 612-861-6040, takusoon@hotmail.com
5. Interfaith Signage at the Mall of America
The current MARC signboard is located at the entrance to the
All Seasons Wild Bird Store on the 3rd floor, west side. It has
pockets with customized placards on each of the 41 Congregations
& Faith Groups holding membership in the Mall Area Religious
Council. The Board approved at our last meeting, to explore the
possibility and cost of renting wall space at the Mall of America
for similar signage just inside the 4 first floor main entrances.
6. A Public Prayer Space Vital For Mall of America’s Future
The Marketplace/Entertainment Complexes of the corporate world
are becoming increasingly respectful now in the 21st century of the
daily prayer and worship needs of the general public from world
religions. MARC brings this as a top priority to the Mall of
America
Development Team, as people come from worldwide. A public prayer
space at MOA will immediately tell everyone, this Mall, with the name
“America” -- desires to be respectful of the basic needs of all
people in
the new America of today. Read Best Seller -- How A “Christian
Country” Has
Become the World’s Most Religiously Diverse Nation.
Author -- Dr Diana Eck,
Harvard
7. Next MARC Board Meeting -- February 9, 2006
Join us! All meetings of the MARC BD are open to our 41 Member
Groups
and the general public. February meeting includes discussion on
MARC
offering to become the coordinating umbralla for the increasing number
of
Interfaith groups doing vital work in theTwin Cities Area.
Election of MARC
Officers for 2006 will take place. We meet at 5:15 pm at Portland
Avenue
United Methodist Church, 8000 Portland Avenue, Bloomington MN
“Spaces of mutual trust must happen at the local level.” (Tariq
Ramadan,
Switzerland)
Phone 952-831-0447 or email
jchell@manrol.com
for further e-News info.