We have begun filming the talks given at our Interfaith services. You can watch them all on our YouTube channel. Please subscribe!
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, we came together to learn from Rev. Germaine Lovelace about the miracle of Pentecost. The Christian holiday of Pentecost, which falls on the 50th day after Easter, honours the moment when the Holy Spirit descended on Christ’s apostles and their followers after His death, resurrection, and ascension. It also commeorates the beginning of the Christian Church and its mission to the world. Rev. Lovelace was ordained in the Moravian Church in Jamaica in 2004, after having, in his words, “an unrelenting feeling that God was calling him” to full-time ministry. He has studied at the University of the West Indies and the United Theological College of the West Indies, and holds a diploma from the Vancouver School of Theology. Rev. Lovelace ministered in two large congregations in Jamaica for ten years before moving to Canada, where he is now serving at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church. You can watch the service here.
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, we came together to learn from John Sargent about the Baha’i festival of Ridvan. The festival commemorates the twelve-day period beginning when Bahá’u’lláh announced his prophethood, and ending when he left Baghdad for Istanbul in 1863. It is observed from sunset on April 20 until sunset on May 2. During this time, three holy days – the first, ninth, and twelfth days of Ridvan – are celebrated with community gatherings, prayer, and celebrations, including the election of spiritual assemblies. John Sargent is a status Indian from the Six Nations Reserve in Oshweken, Ontario. Born of Mohawk and European descent, John discovered the Baha’i faith at a young age and has devoted much of his life to the Canadian Baha’i community. He has been involved in outreach work in Africa, remote Indigenous communities, and throughout North America. Retired from a career in architecture and Band administration, he now lives in central British Columbia with his wife. John is the author of Stumbling in the Half-Light, a book of short, autobiographical stories. You can watch the service here.
On Saturday, April 15, 2023, we came together to learn from Dr. Kala Singh about the Sikh holiday of Vaisakhi. The annual celebration, which fell on April 14th in 2023, commemorates the moment in 1699 when Sikhism became finalized as a collective faith. At that time, the Guru Gobind Singh chose the date of a longstanding Punjab harvest festival to establish a group of baptised Sikhs called the Khalsa. Today, the holiday is often celebrated with parades, processions, and the singing of hymns. Dr. Kala Singh is a physician, author, Sikh scholar, community activist, motivational speaker, and television and YouTube personality. He is a medical graduate from Delhi University, India. Dr. Singh has published numerous articles in Sikh magazines and books; an article titled “The Sikh Spiritual Model of Counseling” in the medical journal Spirituality and Health International; and two books on Sikh philosophy: Gurmat Doctrines (Part 1), and Gurmat Doctrines (Part 2). Dr. Singh, who is the Assistant Secretary of the Global Sikh Council, and Vice-Chair of the Multi-Faith Summit Council of BC, has received numerous honors including the Pravasi Rattan award at the Global Convention of NRIs at the British Parliament. You can watch the service here.
On Saturday, April 1, 2023, we came together to participate in a Tibetan Buddhist Earth Treasure Vase ceremony to bring healing, reconciliation, and protection to the lands of British Columbia where Indigenous peoples have suffered great intergenerational trauma and resource exploitation. In 1990, Cynthia Jurs, who became the founder of the Gaia Mandala Global Healing Project, met a 106-year-old lama (i.e. teacher) in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal who initiated her in the ancient practice of filling consecrated clay vessels with prayers and offerings, and then burying them in places of need around the world, as a way to protect and heal the Earth. Maggy Kaplan and Olivia Fermi have been gathering sacred objects, prayers, and blessings for a vase that will be planted on publicly accessible, sacred land in BC with permission from the appropriate First Nation. Maggy is a mother, grandmother, and retired social worker and counsellor. Olivia is a counsellor, coach, teacher, and constellations facilitator. Both women are longtime Diamond Approach students dedicated to healing and protecting our beloved Earth. Once filled with our prayers and those of others, this vase will join more than 50 others that have been buried across seven continents. You can watch the service here.
On March 18, 2023, we came together to learn about the Stop Ecocide movement from Interfaith leader Dan Hoffman. The effort is a cutting-edge initiative to enshrine ecocide alongside four other international criminal crimes, including genocide. It would be the fifth of these legal instruments and would go a long way toward stopping wanton damage to our fragile earth. Dan is an Interfaith spiritual director and activist in Indiana with a deep love of hiking, nature, and tent camping in the wilderness. He was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1974 and is currently affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Dan holds theological degrees from multiple seminaries and has served as a community organizer in the Peace Corps in Brazil. He is also a member of the Parliament of World Religions. You can watch the service here.
On March 4, 2023, we came together to learn about the Hindu festival of Holi and experience its joy. According to one origin story, the blue-skinned deity Krishna fell in love with Radha, a milkmaid, and playfully coloured her face to coordinate with his. Today, the festival is celebrated in India, and around the world, by throwing colourful water and powders on others. His Grace Jaya Govinda Dasa co-led this service. Jaya Govinda has been practicing Bhakti Yoga — the yoga of love, or the path of devotion — for more than four decades, and has participated in many Interfaith dialogues. He is also one of the Board of Directors of ISKCON Vancouver’s Hare Krisha Temple in Burnaby, BC. Jaya Govinda shared more about the purpose, origins, and practices of this bright, joyous celebration. You can watch the service here.
On February 18, 2023, we came together to learn more about Laylat al-Miraj, or the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Night Journey. While sleeping in the Kaaba in Mecca in 621 CE, the Prophet was visited by the archangels Jibril and Mikal. They filled his heart with wisdom and then transported him to Jerusalem, where he ascended into heaven, meeting previous Abrahamic prophets and eventually even Allah. Sameer Merchant co-led this service. He is a founding member of our community, our Interfaith Leader’s beloved husband, and a lifelong Ismaili Muslim. Sameer shared a bit about the historical and spiritual significance of this mystical journey and how it is understood by members of the Ummah today. You can watch the service here.
On February 4, 2023, we came together to learn more about Shinto and Setsubun-sai, the Bean-Throwing Festival. It is celebrated every February 3rd in Japan and marks the day before the start of the spring season. Shinto priests and laypeople observe various rituals at this time – including throwing lucky mamemaki beans – in order to cleanse their homes of evil spirits and prepare for the coming year. Moka Senoo co-led this service. She was born and raised in Japan and grew up honouring Shinto customs. As a student, she studied abroad in Canada and enjoyed teaching foreigners about Japanese culture. She has since returned to live in the Gunma Prefecture of Japan and logged in from there to share with our community about her family’s traditions. You can watch the service here.
On January 21, 2023, we came together to reflect on the lasting impact of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Widely regarded as a modern-day prophet, Dr. King spoke out against racism and injustice and devoted his much-too short life to the non-violent struggle for civil rights in the United States. He helped organize and successfully advocate for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Believing that all peoples are created equal, Dr. King gave his life fighting for the rights of his fellow African Americans and for all those who know what it is like to be judged by the color of their skin and not the content of their character. Our Managing Director, Sukhmani Sandhu, co-led this service. She reflected on some of Dr. King’s teachings, actions, and his legacy in the United States and Canada today. You can watch the service here.
On January 7, 2023, we came together to celebrate the Mahayana New Year. Falling on the first full moon in January, this New Year celebration is a time for joy and contemplation as Mahayana Buddhists around the world reflect on the previous year’s experiences and prepare themselves to be more present in the year ahead. Mahayana Buddhism is grounded in the belief that all beings can reach Enlightenment even in just one lifetime, not just monks and nuns who have dedicated their lives to religious practice. Thus, the New Year is a time for taking stock of one’s life and seeing how one can best let go of the three poisons of clinging, hatred, and delusion so that they might awaken fully in the coming year. Our Interfaith Leader Rev. Cathy Merchant led this service. She shared a bit about how the New Year is celebrated in different Mahayanist countries around the world and what lessons we might be able to draw from Buddhism when planning our own lives in the year ahead. You can watch the service here.
On December 17, 2022, we came together to celebrate Chanukah, the eight-day Jewish celebration of “dedication.” This festival commemorates the Maccabean revolt against religious oppression and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE. Rev. Steven Greenebaum co-led this service. He is the founder of the Living Interfaith model upon which our Living Interfaith Sanctuary was founded. He is also the author of three (soon to be four!) books on Interfaith, which you can find here. During this service, he shared his own evolving understanding of Chanukah and what he believes we can all learn from it today. You can watch the service here.
On December 3, 2022, we came together to honour and learn about Advent, a time of holy waiting. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity and a season of preparation for Christ’s birth at Christmas. Each Sunday in Advent represents a different virtue that Christ brought to humanity, including Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The Reverend Dr. Victoria Marie co-led this service. She is an activist, artist, and co-founder of the Vancouver Catholic Worker. She serves as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Tonantzin Inclusive Catholic Community and is an ordained priest with the Roman Catholic Woman Priests Canada. She is also the author of Transforming Addiction: The Role of Spirituality in Learning Recovery from Addiction. Rev. Dr. Marie shared about the spirit and significance of Advent and what we can all learn from waiting. You can watch the service here.
At our November 19, 2022 service, we came together to learn about ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, one of the three central leaders of the Baha’i Faith. Abdu’l-Baha was the eldest son of Baha’u’llah and the leader of the tradition from 1892 – 1921. He lived much of his life as a political prisoner in the prison-city of Akka in modern-day Israel. Yet he was freed by the Young Turk Revolution in 1908, and then traveled widely around the world – particularly throughout the West – spreading the Baha’i message of the unity of God and oneness of all humanity. Susan Mottahedeh co-led this service. She is an award-winning journalist and writer, who is currently working with a friend from China on a series of articles to promote unity in diversity. She shared about the life and teachings of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá and why he serves as an inspiration to people from all faith traditions today. You can watch the service here.
At our November 5, 2022 service, we came together to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak. Gurupurab is a reminder for the followers of Sikhi to remember the teachings and overcome five vices – lust, greed, attachment, anger, and pride – and devote one’s life in the selfless service of God. Celebrations start two days prior to Gurupurab in the Gurdwara. A non-stop recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, called Akhand Path, is held. Manbir Sajjan co-led this service. He was born into a practicing Sikh family and has been a lifelong learner and practitioner. The word “Sikh” actually means “learner.” Early on, Manbir was introduced to a key principle of Guru Nanak, called seva (or “self-less service”), that encourages us all to contribute positively to society. Manbir shared with us the significance of the three key principles of Guru Nanak and why these universal principles have spread worldwide to grow Sikhi into a major world religion. You can watch the service here.
At our October 15, 2022 service, we celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights. This five-day festival rings in the Hindu New Year and is a celebration of the triumph of knowledge over ignorance and goodness over evil. Diksha Sharma co-led this service. She was born into a Hindu family and is a lifelong practitioner. She taught us a bit about the history and spiritual significance of this joyous holiday, as well as how it is practiced today throughout the world. You can watch the service here.
At our October 1, 2022 service, we came together in honour of the Double Ninth Festival and to celebrate the wisdom of Taoism. Francis Pring-Mill co-led this service. He is the author of the Taoist companion guide, “In Harmony with the Tao.” He led us in exploring Taoism’s four core principles – including Simplicity-Patience-Compassion, Going with the Flow, Letting Go, and Harmony – and in a group meditation. You can watch the service here.
At our September 17, 2022 service, we came together to honour our Indigenous siblings, in light of recent discussions of British colonization and the upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Day. Tracy Tobin co-led this service. She is a member of the Mi’kmaq Nation and a tireless activist and Anglican spiritual care provider. She shared a bit about her own story as someone who is reclaiming her Indigenous heritage and some of what she has learned from holding space for others’ stories. You can watch the service here.
We met on September 3, 2022 to celebrate our fourth anniversary as an Interfaith community! The service was led by our founder and Interfaith Leader, Rev. Cathy Merchant. She shared a bit about the history of the Living Interfaith model, Rev. Steven Greenebaum’s and her original visions for these Interfaith communities, some of our joys and sorrows over these last four years, and how this all fits into our beautifully diverse, increasingly polarized world. You can watch the service here.
Our August 6, 2022 Interfaith service was in honour of Imam Hussain. Imam Hussain was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and a greatly beloved Muslim leader. Following the assassination of his father, Imam Ali, he led his small group of 70 friends and followers into battle when they were attacked by the 4000+ Ummayyad army at Karbala, Iraq. Imam Hussain and his group were slain, but he is remembered today as a hero and as a universal symbol of goodness standing up to oppression. Imam Hussain and his people are honoured during the annual Arba’een pilgrimage and on Ashura, the day of mourning. Maulana M. Yaqoob Shahid Akhondi co-led this service. He is the Resident Aalim (Scholar) of the Al-Fatemah Islamic Center of Albany, NY and regularly gives lectures about Imam Hussain. You can watch the service here.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama celebrated his 87th birthday on Wed, July 6th. He is the former Head of State for Tibet and the highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism. When the People’s Republic of China invaded and subsequently annexed Tibet in the late 1950s, the Dalai Lama escaped and has since ruled from his “government in exile” in northern India. Our Interfaith Leader, Rev. Cathy Merchant, led this Interfaith service. She drew from Tibetan Buddhist teachings and the lifelong example of the Dalai Lama to explore what we can do to compassionately resist the forces that threaten the well-being of all sentient beings today. You can watch the service here.
Our June 18, 2022 Interfaith service celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is when those of us here in Canada celebrate the unique heritage and diverse cultures of our Indigenous siblings and friends. Kanaka Maoli (i.e. Hawaiian native) Kauanoe Hoomanawanui co-led this service. She spoke about “Opukaha’ia: Kanaka Maoli Theology,” a brief history of American Christianity in Hawaii, and her own family history as both a descendent of Opukaha’ia and as a Christian faith leader in Kauai today. You can watch the service here.
Our June 4, 2022 Interfaith service celebrated World Environment Day. It is an international event that honours the planet and encourages people to act on climate change. This year, its festivities were hosted by Sweden and focused around the themes of “Only One Earth” and “living sustainably in harmony with nature.” Rev. Samaya Oakley co-led this service. She is the minister of the South Fraser Unitarian Congregation in Surrey, BC and is a tireless advocate for social justice and environmental causes. You can watch the service here.
Our May 21, 2022 Interfaith service was the official ordination ceremony for our founder and Interfaith Leader, Cathy Merchant. She was ordained as an Interfaith minister by her mentor and Living Interfaith founder, Rev. Steven Greenebaum; Living Interfaith Church minister, Rev. Marie Preftes Arenz; and Living Interfaith Sanctuary Council member, Rev. Brynn Craffey. Cathy worked for three years as the Minister-in-Training of the Living Interfaith Church, for another 3.5 years as the Interfaith Leader of our Living Interfaith Sanctuary, and recently received her Master’s of Divinity degree from the Vancouver School of Theology. This ordination was eight years in the making, and it meant so much to Cathy to have the community support her for this momentous occasion. You can watch the ceremony here.
At our May 7, 2022 Interfaith service, we celebrated Eid al-Fitr. This occasion both concludes the holy month of Ramadan and celebrates Allah’s revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It serves as a reminder for Muslims to be grateful for what they have and to share with those who are less fortunate. Author and public interest attorney Sofia Ali-Khan co-led this service. (Her new book, “A Good Country: My Life in Twelve Towns and the Devastating Battle for a White America,” can be found here.) She shared about her experiences observing Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr as an immigrant first to the United States and now to Canada. She also offered insight into how she believes Islamic teachings can help us heal our own violent past here in the West and promote truth-telling and Reconciliation. You can watch the service here.
At our April 16, 2022 Interfaith service, we held our annual Interfaith Community Passover Seder. During this Seder, we celebrated the liberation of Jews out of slavery in ancient Egypt, the rich history of the Jewish people, and all worldwide liberation movements since in this joyful and powerful meal. The Haggadah we use here comes from our dear friend and supporter, Susan Partnow. She is the founder of Global Citizen Journeys and one of the senior facilitators for the Compassionate Listening Project. You can watch the service here.
At our March 19, 2022 Interfaith service, we celebrated Ostara. The word “Ostara” comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess name, Eostre. Eostre represents spring and new beginnings. Ostara is a Wiccan holiday and one of its eight Sabbats; it celebrates the Spring Equinox. In the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, Spring Equinox is the time when Nature truly awakens. This year, March 18th was also the Full Moon that Wiccans call the “Awakening Moon.” Wiccan Elder Morgana Sythove co-led this service. She lives in the Netherlands and is the International Coordinator for Pagan Federation International. During this service, she led us in a meditation on Ostara and the return of spring. She also talked about how this hopeful spring energy might be used to help us support the people, plants, and animals who are currently suffering because of the war in Ukraine. You can watch the service here.
At our March 5, 2022 Interfaith service, we celebrated Great Lent from the Orthodox Christian tradition. The term ‘Lent’ refers to the “lengthening of the days.” For Christians, it is a rite of purification, contemplation, and preparation for the Feast of Feast. In the Christian East, Easter is known as Pascha (Passover). It is a time of fasting, introspection, and special attention to God. Cornelius Swart, a member of the Orthodox Church in America and longtime student of both Eastern and Western mysticism, co-led this service. He shared about the ascetic beliefs and practices of the ancient Byzantine tradition of Great Lent. We also took time during this service to offer prayers from our various faith traditions for Ukraine and for all those impacted by the violence there that they might be protected, supported, and comforted. You can watch the service here.
At our February 19, 2022 Interfaith service, we celebrated Anti-Bullying Day. It is an initiative started in 2007 by high school students David Shepherd and Travis Price, whose friend was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. In support of youth and marginalized peoples everywhere, people around the world now wear pink shirts on this day to show that we stand in solidarity against bullying. Beth Hersom co-led this service. She is a long-time disability advocate who loves everyone but who stands up to bullies wherever she finds them. She shared her own perspective on bullying as a perversion of the virtues of joy, power, and unity and what she has learned about the best way to stand up to bullies without further antagonizing them. You can watch the service here.
At our February 5, 2022 Interfaith service, we celebrated Lunar New Year, which takes part over a 12-year cycle. Every year in the cycle is associated with a different animal, including the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. This year we are celebrating the Year of the Tiger. Arthur Xie co-led this service. He was born and raised in China and has lived in Canada since 2012. He is currently pursuing his Masters at Johns Hopkins University. Arthur shared the origin and history of the Lunar New Year, also know as the Spring Festival in China. He also discussed how it is celebrated in other countries around the world. You can watch the service here.
At our January 15, 2022 Interfaith Service, we celebrated World Religion Day, which was initiated by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States in 1950. Kamran Zamanian from the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Vancouver co-led this service. He shared about the history and significance of this holiday and how it is celebrated today by members of various faith traditions around the world. You can watch the service here.
At our January 1, 2022 Interfaith service, we celebrated the New Year. We took time to reflect on the joys, sorrows, and learnings of 2021, as well as our hopes and intentions going into 2022. Our Interfaith Leader, Cathy Merchant, led the service and later opened up the platform for group sharing and contributions. You can watch the service here.
At our December 18, 2021 Interfaith service, we celebrated Christmas and the hope that comes from Jesus Christ’s birth. Palestinian peace activist, Shadia Qubti, co-led the service. She shared about the significance of Jesus being born under Roman rule in ancient Palestine and what this means for Palestinian Christians living under Israeli rule today. You can watch the service here.
At our December 4, 2021 Interfaith service, we celebrated Bodhi Day, a Mahayanan Buddhist holiday celebrating the Awakening of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. Our Interfaith Leader, Cathy Merchant, led the full service. She shared about the importance of the Three Refuges – the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha – and how these might bring hope to us all, regardless of faith tradition. You can watch the service here.
At our November 20, 2021 Interfaith service, we celebrated Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday. He was the founder of the Sikh faith and the first of the Ten Gurus. He was also an accomplished poet; nearly 1,000 of his hymns may be found in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the primary Sikh holy text. United Religions Initiative regional coordinator, Tahil Sharma, co-led this service. He shared about the life and legacy of Guru Nanak and what those of us from other faith traditions might be able to learn from him today. Also during the service, our partner organization through the United Religions Initiative – the Multifaith Action Society – launched its 2022 Multifaith Calendar. The theme this year is Resilience. The calendar’s designer, Marcus Hynes, shared a bit about the history of the calendar and how it may be used as a source of inspiration and education for people from all faith traditions. You can read more about the calendar and order copies of it here. And you can watch the service here.
At our November 6, 2021 Interfaith service, we celebrated Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. This ancient tradition originated in the Mexican region of the Aztec Empire and is largely observed today by our sisters and brothers of Mexican heritage. Unlike both Halloween and Samhain – other notable festivals of the dead – Día de los Muertos is more joyful than somber. It is a celebration of life ever after, as it plays out in a beautiful and cyclical way. Our friend and community member, Cynthia Robles, co-led this service. She presented the traditional ceremony and explained each aspect of the celebration and the symbolism behind it. You can watch the service here.
At our October 16, 2021 Interfaith service, we celebrated Mawlid al-Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Prophet was a messenger of Allah, the founder of Islam, and undoubtedly an advocate for the oppressed during his own lifetime. His birthday is considered a national holiday in most Muslim-majority nations, and it is widely celebrated throughout most, but not all, Muslim communities around the world. Human rights lawyer, El-Farouk Khaki, co-led this service. He shared about the Prophet’s legacy of social justice within Islam. Khaki is the founder of Salaam: Queer Muslim community and the co-founder and imam of the queer-affirming el-Tawhid Juma Circle in Toronto. You can watch the service here.
At our October 2, 2021 Interfaith service, we celebrated National Coming Out Day. Each and every one of us share many coming out experiences, all of which are transformational and part of a spirit-led human journey. Some are painful, some are healing, and all permit us the opportunity to experience the universal love that connects and holds us. Lynda and Tori Dickson co-led this service. They both come from United Church and Queer Evangelical backgrounds. Both have developed mixed media support materials, both came out as members of the 2SLGBTQ community in their 50s, and both continue to support those for whom this challenging journey is still unfolding. You can watch the service here.
At our September 18, 2021 Interfaith service, we celebrated the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot with scholar and spiritual teacher Rabbi Laura Duhan Kaplan. Rabbi Laura shared from the teachings of the Rosh Hashanah prayer “Unetaneh Tokef” to give us guidance on how we might foster resilience during these difficult times. In addition, local Palestinian peace activist, Shadia Qubti, joined us and offered a prayer for Sukkot. You can watch the service here.
Happy birthday to us! Our service in celebration of our three-year anniversary as a community took place on September 4, 2021. At this service, we celebrated the growth of our congregation over the last few years. Community members took turns sharing about what they have learned during our time together and how their deepening friendships with members of other faith traditions have impacted them, over time. People also shared some of their ideas for future services and projects that we might be able to take on as a group, in the near future. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of the Bodhisattva Jizo took place on August 21, 2021. Jizo is known for his vows to take responsibility for all beings following the death of the historical Buddha and not to cross over into Nirvana until all hell realms are emptied. He is revered as the guardian of children, travelers, and all beings suffering the torments of hell. Zen priest, Myoshin Kate McCandless, shares here about the history of Jizo, his vows, and how he is honoured in Japan today, both in the Jizo-bon festival and elsewhere year-round. You can watch the service here.
Our service in celebration of International Forgiveness Day took place on August 7, 2021. The Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance promotes it on the first Sunday in August each year, hoping to encourage forgiveness that will create “a safer, more joyful, and peaceful world.” Yet forgiveness is understood differently in different cultures and spiritual traditions. And it is misused and misunderstood perhaps just as often, leading to less safety, joy, and peace for all beings involved. Our Interfaith Leader, Cathy Merchant, shares about the uses and misuses of forgiveness and how wisdom from different spiritual traditions might help us all practice it in ways that bring about the most healing. You can watch the service here.
Our service in celebration of Eid al-Adha took place on July 17, 2021. Founding Sanctuary member, Sameer Merchant, shared about the history, rituals, and significance of this celebration. He also spoke at length about the diversity that may be found in Islam, both in regards to honouring this event and in many other occasions and practices. You can watch the service here.
Our service in support of Indigenous self-determination in the Anglican Church (and elsewhere) took place on July 3, 2021. Our beloved friend, board member, and Cree sister – Sheila Cook – reminded us that when the mainline churches pulled out of the reserves after painstakingly trying to convert everyone to Christianity, Indigenous people turned to the Gospel for guidance. She writes that they “placed the Gospel in the centre of our Sacred Circle. That is where we hold our most sacred teachings, our medicines, the pipe. The people kept Christ alive and here is where our leaders and bishops are revealed, in Circle, prayer, and in dream.” During this service, Sheila introduced us to the Indigenous practice of “Gospel-based discipleship.” She led us through several different readings of Matthew 11:25-30 and helped us reflect on some wisdom from the Gospel that might help us during this challenging time. She also shared her own journey of reclamation and renewal on this land now claimed as Canada. You can watch the service here.
Our service in celebration of the Summer Solstice took place on June 19, 2021. Wiccan Archpriestess Mary Malinski shared about the rituals and significance of this occasion in Neopagan tradition. She talked about how it is celebrated today – both in her community, the Aquarian Tabernacle Church of Canada, and in others around the world – as well as what it might mean for the rest of us who are coming from different spiritual traditions. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of both the 215 Indigenous children whose remains were found at the Kamloops Indian Residential School and World Environment Day took place on June 5, 2021. We did a Buddhist grieving ritual and shared stories from elders and prayers for these beautiful children and their families. Afterwards, Steve Crawford – one of the founders of our sister congregation, the Living Interfaith Church – spoke about the current climate crisis and why members of all faith traditions, including his own Humanist community, must join together for the sake of protecting our beautiful planet, its remarkable creatures, and ourselves. You can watch the service here.
Our service in celebration of Shavuot took place on May 15, 2021. Living Interfaith Founder, Reverend Steven Greenebaum, shared about the significance of the Jewish holiday and what revelation might mean to us today, especially when those of us from different faith traditions have received different revelations. You can watch the service here.
Our service in celebration of Ridvan took place on May 1, 2021. Connie Waterman from the Multifaith Action Society shared about the history of the Baha’i Faith, the journey of Baha’u’llah from Persia to Constantinople, and the spiritual significance of Ridvan, “The King of Festivals.” You can watch the service here.
Our service in celebration of Ramayana Week and Ram Navami took place on April 17, 2021. BK Harsha Palli from the Anubhuti Retreat Center and San Francisco Meditation Center shared about some of the meditative teachings hidden in the Ramayana and how Lord Rama’s journey can help us all live more virtuous, balanced lives today. You can watch the service here.
Our service in celebration of Easter took place on April 3, 2021. Living Interfaith Sanctuary Vice President Brynn Craffey is currently pursuing ordination in the Anglican Church. He shared here about his own journey from death and disillusionment in his teens to his full renewal in the Church later in life. Moreover, he discussed how Jesus’ resurrection can still impact us today, as we wait in hope for our own personal and collective rebirth. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of Shunbun no Hi (the Vernal Equinox) and Haru-no Higan (the seven-day Spring Festival) took place on March 20, 2021. Shinto Priestess Olivia Bernkastel and practitioner Sam Horvath shared with us more about Shinto tradition, practices, and beliefs; how Shunbun no Hi and Haru-no Higan are celebrated this time of year around the world; and how Shinto tradition fits in easily in the global Interfaith movement. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of International Women’s Day took place on March 6, 2021. The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 was #ChooseToChallenge. It highlighted the importance of challenging biases and misconceptions to create a more inclusive and gender-equal world. In keeping with this theme, Carolyn Rogers shared about her experience with gender-based violence and her work now as a faith leader who co-facilitates a support group for women who have experienced violence. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of U.N. World Day of Social Justice took place on February 20, 2021. Halchigul Pattar is a Uyghur human rights activist from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. At this service, she shared her personal testimony, as well as more information about the Chinese government committing genocide and crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs in East Turkistan. Please be aware that some of the experiences described here might be disturbing or upsetting to some viewers. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of Aboriginal Storytelling Month took place on February 6, 2021. Tony Snow shared about the “Wintercount Tradition” and how memory shapes community today. He is the Indigenous Minster in the Chinook Winds Region of the United Church of Canada. You can watch the service here.
Our service in celebration of World Religion Day took place on January 23, 2021. Community Interfaith Educator, Harold Rosen, from the Baha’i Spiritual Assembly shared a bit about the history and purpose of World Religion Day, as well as the long history of the Interfaith movement. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of the birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji took place on January 9, 2021. Former RCMP Officer, Baltej Singh Dhillon, shared about the lasting impact that Guru Gobind Singh Ji made on the Sikh faith and also in Dhillon’s own life, as he sought the courage to fight and win the right to keep his beard and wear his turban while in uniform. You can watch the service here.
Our Christmas Interfaith service took place on December 26, 2020. Reverend Louise Mangan, United Church of Canada, retired, shared about the miracle of Jesus Christ’s birth and what it means for those of us from a wide variety of religious traditions to honour the incarnation of God into the world as a newborn baby. You can watch the service here.
Our service in celebration of Bodhi Day took place on December 12, 2020. Our Interfaith Leader, Cathy Merchant, shared about the life of the historic Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, and his journey to Enlightenment. She also reflected on what it meant for the earth to bear witness to the Buddha’s awakening and how that might impact our understanding of awakening today. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of Transgender Day of Remembrance took place on November 28, 2020. Lauren Kirkey, a Candidate for Ordained Ministry within the United Church, spoke to us about this sombre occasion and what it means for her, as an aspiring minister and member of the Trans community. You can watch the service here.
Our service on Diwali – the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Newar Buddhist festival of lights – took place on November 14, 2020. Indian writer and theology student, Nirmalya Das, shared a bit about the history and multi-layered spiritual significance of this joyous holiday, as well as how it is practiced today across India. You can watch the service here.
Our service on Samhain, the Celtic New Year festival, took place on October 31, 2020. Dr. Alexandra Chauran – an author and High Priestess of British Traditional Wicca – shared about the history of Samhain, its connections to the modern-day celebration of Halloween, and how it is observed today by members of the Neopagan community. In addition, she told the ancient story of the Goddess Inanna’s descent into the Underworld. You can watch the service here.
Our service on what it would mean to decolonize the Thanksgiving holiday took place on October 17, 2020. Reverend Murray Pruden – a United Church minister and member of the Cree nation – shared his perspective on the history of the holiday and the importance of developing gratitude for every gift the Creator has given us. You can watch the service here.
Our service on the benefits of meditation took place on October 3, 2020. Writer and podcast host, Brett Dupree, told a story about how our brains function normally versus the changes that come about when we begin to implement deep breathing exercises and meditation. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of the Jewish High Holy Days took place on September 19, 2020. Living Interfaith Founder, Reverend Steven Greenebaum, shared about the significance of the New Year of Rosh Hashanah and the days leading up to Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. He explained at length about the importance of forgiveness in Jewish tradition and how one might reflect on forgiveness in their own lives during this sacred period. You can watch the service here.
The first week of September was our two-year anniversary as a community! We celebrated at our September 5, 2020 service by taking turns sharing about what we love about this congregation, what we have learned about other spiritual traditions and one another over time, and our individual and collective hopes for the future. You can watch the whole service and discussion here.
Our service dedicated to the inner work of anti-racism took place on August 22, 2020. Our Interfaith Leader, Cathy Merchant, shared about the work we must do – both in ourselves and in our spheres of influence – if we are to uncover, acknowledge, abandon, and heal from our racist ideas and behaviors. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of Lughnasadh took place on August 8, 2020. Writer Patrick McKenna shared about the practical and spiritual importance of this ancient harvest festival and what it means to him as a modern Celtic Pagan. You can watch the service here.
Our service in honour of Hajj took place on July 25, 2020. Sheikh Nasir Zaidi shared about the spiritual and historic importance of Hajj in the Muslim faith and what, exactly, this means for us this year when most Muslims around the world were self-isolating at home during this most important occasion. You can watch the service here.
The video of our service in honour of the Báb took place on July 11, 2020. Community Interfaith Educator, Harold Rosen, shared about the life-changing teachings of the Báb that helped pave the way for Baha’u’llah and the later Baha’i vision for peace and justice among all the world’s religions. You can watch the whole service here.
Our National Indigenous Peoples Day service took place on June 27, 2020. Council member Reverend Mary Fontaine – a local Presbyterian minister and founder of the Aboriginal healing circle, Hummingbird Ministries – shared about the deep faith and resilience of her own Cree people. She talked about the significance of this holiday for all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people across Canada, yet also about the deep racism and injustice they still face today at nearly every level of society. Cree Elder Dorothy Visser also joined us to share her perspective and to offer the Lord’s Prayer in Cree.
You can watch the whole service and the group discussion following it here.
The video of our service in honour of Guru Arjan took place on June 13, 2020. Former World Sikh Organization director and activist, Sukhvinder Kaur Vinning, shared about Guru Arjan’s life and contributions to the Sikhee movement (known in the Western world as Sikhism) and what people from all faith traditions can still learn today from him. You can watch the whole service here.
Our Eid Al-Fitr service took place on May 30, 2020. Creative Consultant and Educator, Sister Jaminah Shannon, shared about her organization Wasat. She also led the second half of the service with stories from her family’s Eid celebration and beautiful recitations of the Takbir Al-Eid prayer and from the Qur’an. You can watch the whole service here.
Our Ascension Day service took place on May 16, 2020. Our Interfaith Consultant, Dr. Eloecea, led the second half of the gathering and spoke about what ascension looks like in different religious traditions and what it might mean for us today. You can watch it here.
The video of our Easter Interfaith service – held on Zoom on April 18, 2020 – may be viewed on YouTube here. Jean and Steven Ward from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints preached the sermon.
The full video of our Annual Interfaith Passover Seder, this time held via Zoom on April 4, 2020, may be watched on YouTube here. Compassionate Listening facilitator and Global Citizen Journey founder, Susan Partnow, led this Seder using her family’s own Haggadah.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, our services have been moved online via Zoom starting March 21, 2020. Zoom automatically records all gatherings, so here is the recording for the entire service that day (minus the “Sharing of Our Hearts,” where participants share their own personal joys and concerns with the group). Watch it on YouTube here.
This talk was given by Indian writer and theology student, Nirmalya Das, on the joy of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colour, on March 7, 2020. In it, he speaks about the history and spiritual significance of this joyous occasion, as well as what it means for us today, as both Hindus and non-Hindus in a largely non-Indian context. You can watch it here on YouTube.
This dharma talk was given by Daniel Francis from the Vancouver Triratna Buddhist community on February 22, 2020. In it, he shares about his sangha’s eight-step Buddhist recovery practice for those who are in the process of healing from any manner of addiction. You can watch it on YouTube here.
This story was told by Vancouver General Hospital Chaplain Lauren Sanders on January 25, 2020. In it, she gives us a snapshot of our shared Indigenous and Intercultural history and then gives us time to reflect on how this history continues to play out today in innumerable ways, across our entire society. You can watch it here on YouTube.
This sermon was given by Bijan Adlparvar from the Vancouver Baha’i Community to the Living Interfaith Sanctuary on January 25, 2020. In it, he discusses the origins of World Religion Day and the core tenets of the Baha’i Faith that make it almost the perfect representative of an “Interfaith religion.” You can watch it on YouTube here.
This sermon was given by Presbyterian Minister Peter Sanders to the Living Interfaith Sanctuary on December 14, 2019. In it, he discusses the differences between Advent and the Christmas season, the difficulty in honoring Advent in our consumerist culture, and how these six holy weeks can bring peace and joy to us all, regardless of religious tradition. Watch it here on YouTube.
This sermon was given by Living Interfaith Sanctuary Council member, Brynn Craffey, on November 30, 2019. In it, he discusses his experience living as a queer person in San Francisco in the 1980s and ’90s and the way in which the AIDS epidemic impacted the city and his loved ones. You can watch it here on YouTube.
This sermon was given by our Interfaith Leader, Cathy Merchant, during our November 16, 2019 service. In it, she discusses the fears and habits that keep us from reaching out to people from different spiritual paths and how we can work through these to develop more Interfaith relationships. You can watch it on YouTube here.
This talk was given by Sikh World Organization director and activist, Sukhvinder Vinning, at our October 19, 2019 service on the birth of the Guru Granath Sahib sacred text. You can watch it on YouTube here.
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Here is our first sermon given by our Interfaith Leader, Cathy Merchant, on February 4th, 2018 at Trinity-Grace United Church:
‘Can You Teach Us Those Prayers?’
You may have noticed when I came in that I did the three prostrations that Tibetan Buddhists do when they enter a holy sanctuary. This is done both to humble oneself and to express reverence for the place one has entered; you not only lie flat on the ground at the entrance, but you lift your hands up to raise up the wisdom that emanates from such a place. I think this is a beautiful tradition, and I have been doing it in one form or another since 2005. Read more.