INTERFAITH CONNECTION

Interfaith Works promotes interfaith understanding,

and serves the community through
charitable, social and educational endeavors.

CHILDREN NEED A HOME MEDITATION:

Over the past 4 years, at a cost of about
$3000 each year, Interfaith Works has been
able to help dozens of families move from
homelessness to stable housing, through
the Nancy Hoff Memorial Housing
Assistance Fund. The fund is used for a
variety of needs, most often to pay for renter
screening required by landlords.
Although families may have saved up first
and last month’s rent and deposits, and may
qualify for state or federal rental assistance,
there are no programs that pay for the
screening fees. What’s more, potential
renters have to pay a separate screening
fee for every home or apartment they apply
to rent, even if they are turned down. At
$25-$50 per screening fee, a person’s
resources quickly dwindle.
Thurston County school districts report that
there are over 700 homeless children in our
school system. In this time of economic
crisis and rising homelessness, the Housing
Assistance Fund is urgently needed by
many homeless families. But the need has
been so great that the fund is now depleted.
Will you help? A gift of any amount would
be greatly appreciated! Contributions may
be made to Interfaith Works, with a
designation of “HAF” on the memo line of
your check.
THAT’S NOT CHRISTIAN! IS IT?
Where did meditation begin? Is it the provenance of any single
religion, or group? Who meditates? Undoubtedly, the answers to
those and many other questions about meditation fill scores of
volumes in the libraries of the world. A little research shows that
meditation is a common practice of Christianity, Buddhism, Islam,
Jainism, Judaism, Bahá’í, Taoism, Sikhism, and others.
A simple definition of the word is “to engage in thought or
contemplation; reflect; devout religious contemplation, or
quiescent spiritual introspection.” The online source Wikipedia
provides this definition: “Meditation is a discipline of
consciousness, beyond the conditioned, ‘thinking’ mind, in a state
of relaxation. It often involves turning attention to a single point
of reference. Meditation is recognized as a component of almost
all religions, and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. It is
also practiced outside religious traditions. Different meditative
disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or
psychophysical practices which may emphasize different goals --
from achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater
focus, creativity or self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and
peaceful frame of mind.”
A Walking Meditation for Peace will begin at
11:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, at
Marathon Park (Capitol Lake at 5th Avenue)
and proceed to the Capitol Campus. The
Community Meditation and Prayer for Global
Peace will take place noon to noon August 2
& 3, at Tivoli Fountain on the Capitol
Campus. Whatever your religion or spiritual
practice, Interfaith Works invites you to
participate in one or both of these upcoming opportunities to
meditate for peace.

Published Monthly by Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia WA 98507

(360) 357-7224 * InterfaithWorks@comcast.net * www.interfaith-works.org
Issue No. 2008-07 July 2008, p. 1
 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BIG & SMALL
The 2009 World Sacred Music Festival committee urgently needs volunteers to fill the following roles:
1. Event Coordinator: Coordinate the work of the committee & subcommittees
2. Food coordinator: Interface with SPSCC culinary staff to arrange for ethnic foods to be served during
the festival
3. Fund/sponsorship volunteer: Seek community sponsors for the festival (IW office will
provide volunteer with background, resources, etc.)
4. Technical coordinator: Manage the technical arrangements for performers
5. Ticket coordinator: Coordinate sale & distribution of tickets
6. Volunteer coordinator: Help recruit, coordinate & schedule the many festival day volunteers
Please contact the IW office at 357-7224 or InterfaithWorks@comcast.net to volunteer.

The 2008 Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration committee is short of volunteers. We need people who
can come to 2 or 3 one-hour meetings this autumn to help make our 25th annual Interfaith Thanksgiving
Celebration the best one yet. Please contact co-chairs Luther Smith & Billy Harris or the IW office at 357-
7224 or InterfaithWorks@comcast.net.

Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp desperately needs male counselors and a
camp nurse for their one-week session August 24-29. Applications are online at
www.soundinterfaithcamp.org or call the IW office at 357-7224.

The Interfaith Works Board of Directors urgently needs a recording secretary. The position of recording
secretary requires approximately 6-8 hours per month, 10 months of the year. Responsibilities are to
attend and record minutes of Board Meetings, 1st Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and of Program Council
Meetings, 3rd Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., and to submit those minutes, electronically, to the IW office in a timely
manner, and to visit the IW office at least once a year to assure that IW records are properly maintained.
This is not a boring job! IW’s Board and Program Council meetings are usually lighthearted and fun, and
the business undertaken is interesting and rewarding. However, the recording secretary is critical to the
work of Interfaith Works. The position is one of three legally required of a corporation in Washington State.
Please consider volunteering for this important, but relatively easy task! Or perhaps you know someone
with the time and skills whom you could tell about our need. Any interested person may contact the IW
office at 357-7224 or InterfaithWorks@comcast.net. We will gladly answer all questions.

Interfaith Works staff needs a reader. That’s right, all you have to do is read - and pass
on to the IW office any information about important events and news of interest to our
membership that you find in the newsletters of our member organizations. Please contact
the IW office at 357-7224 or InterfaithWorks@comcast.net if you might be willing to help in
this important way.

July 2008, p. 2

EVERYBODY NEEDS
A BREAK
And your Interfaith Works staff is no
exception. The IW office will be closed
from July 21 through August 3.
Although your input and questions are
important to us, we would be grateful not
to come back to thousands of
messages. So, please (when possible)
phone or email us after August 3.
EARTH STEWARDS COME
TOGETHER
The environmental stewardship committees of
South Sound invite members and faith
communities to a collaborative evening
Monday, September 22, 2008, 6:30 – 9 p.m.,
Fireside Room, United Churches of Olympia.
This is a joint venture between local
environmental groups, Interfaith Works and
Providence St. Peter Hospital to share
successes, ideas, initiatives and the future of
the environment in South Sound. For more
information contact: Connie Walker (360-493-
7236)
IW NEWSLETTER
Please let us know if you, someone else, a faith
community or another organization would like to
receive a copy of our monthly newsletter, either
by U.S. mail or by email.
The deadline for the next newsletter is 12 noon
on Tuesday, August 12. If you have ideas for
articles, announcements, or other newsletter
items, let us know and send them in. Thanks!
— Janice Holz, IW Office Manager, 357-7224
WOWWIE ZOWWIE!
Thurston County CROP Walk raised over $59,000
this year! That is $7000 more than last year’s total!
Although we were a little disappointed that our
anticipated matching grant did not materialize this
year, our coordinators, donors, and 525 walkers
literally went that extra mile, and the results were
amazing.
Seven local hunger relief agencies will share 25%
($14,700) of the total. The other 75% will fund relief
for survivors of recent disastrous flooding in the
Central U.S.; cyclone recovery in Myanmar; clean
water for villages in Malawi, South
Africa; and much more.
Thank you, Thurston County, for
your generosity!
WISE WORDS...
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson
about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two
'wolves' inside us all.
"One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow,
regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt,
resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority,
and ego.
"The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope,
serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and
then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you
feed."
July 2008, p. 3
 COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Interfaith Works is pleased to announce some of the activities and events of our members and cooperating
organizations; IW does not necessarily endorse these events. More details & events at www.interfaith-works.org
July 19 Parking Lot Yard Sale All church Outdoor Yard Sale in Upper Parking Lot on Capitol Way. Proceeds to
Saturday benefit church projects. The United Churches of Olympia (110 - 11th Ave SE). Contact Debbie
8:30a.m.- 3 p.m. Nickerson at debranick@gmail.com for further information.
Free Carwash for Food Donations Help the needy/the homeless by bringing your non-perishable food
July 19
donations to the Mega Foods corner of Trosper & Littlerock Rd, Tumwater. Cash Donations Accepted.
Saturday 9-3
Sponsored by City Gates Ministries. For information call 360-705-0291
July 20 Sacred Harp Singing at Mariah Arts Studio (1403 Garfield Ave NW - Garfield & Plymouth, West
Sunday Olympia). Denson edition singing. 3rd Sunday most months. Visit pnwshs.org or call Glen Buschmann
2 - 4 p.m. (360) 352-9009 with any questions.
July 28 Faith Communities Disaster Preparedness Workshop At Evergreen Christian Community (1000 Black
Monday Lake Blvd SW, Olympia) For details contact: Bill Terhune, Chaplain, South Bay Fire at (360) 791−9701.
7 p.m. Sponsored by Thurston County Emergency Management
GOD THE ARTIST: WE THE CO-CREATORS This retreat will focus on our Potter God, using clay
August 2
materials. We will meet at The Priory Spirituality Center and drive to Walter and Renata Siegl’s clay
Saturday
studio in Shelton. Register by Friday, July 25. Cost: $50 +$5 materials. Call The Priory Spirituality
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Center at 438-2595 or visit www.stplacid.org for details on this and other Priory programs.
August 2 Walking Meditation for Peace Please join us as we process in silence from Marathon Park
Saturday counter-clockwise along Capitol Lake and up the trail to the Capitol Campus and the Tivoli
11:15 a.m.- Fountain, arriving in time for the opening of the Community Meditation & Prayer for Global
noon Peace. For details, contact Dan Ryan at 352-3293.
Community Meditation & Prayer for Global Peace Please join us for part or all of this 24-hour
August 2
silent vigil at the Tivoli Fountain on the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia. When we
Saturday noon
pray and meditate together, we collectively send a message of Peace to our neighbor, to our
- August 3
community, and around our world. You may bring seating and flashlights, but no signs please.
Sunday noon
For details or to volunteer, visit www.Interfaith-Works.org or call Dickie Stentz at 455-1500.
August 6 Building Sustainable Systems Workshop – “Effective People Skills” at Tumwater Timberland Library
Wednesday (7023 New Market St) with Mike Segawa, Certified Effectiveness Institute trainer. Sponsored by
1 - 4 p.m. TOGETHER! Info/registration: enelson@thurstontogether.org or 493-2230, ext.24
August 12 IW newsletter deadline Deadline for articles, calendar items, and ads for the August IW
Tuesday noon newsletter (coming out about August 19).
PosiPalooza concert at Unity PosiPalooza is the concert tour of Itol Ministries’ New Thought
August 24 Songwriters Tribute; A recognition of outstanding New Thought songwriters that takes place each year
Sunday honoring the best of the best in New Thought songs. Featured artists are David Roth and Karin Taylor-
6:30 p.m. Good. Tickets are $20. Doors open at 6 p.m., program at 6:30 p.m. at Unity Church of Olympia (1335
Fern Street SW). Details at www.unityofolympia.org or 943-5757.
September 16 IW Program Council meeting at Temple Beth Hatfiloh (new location!) to plan and execute the
Tuesday programs and projects of Interfaith Works. All interested persons are invited. For details, call
7 - 9 p.m. Interfaith Works at 357-7224.

July 2008, p. 4
 FUNDRAISING MADE EASY
Do you know any state employees? Foolish
question to ask of a Thurston County resident,
isn’t it? Well, if you are committed to the mission
of Interfaith Works, and you do know a state
employee, will you please share your commitment
with him or her? Tell about the amazing programs
of IW, and how they promote social justice and
peace among neighbors. Then, explain how easy
it is to support IW through the Washington State
Employees Combined Fund Drive (CFD).
Every autumn, state employees have the
opportunity to contribute to the charitable
organizations of their choice through the CFD,
and Interfaith Works is one of the participating
charities. Donors may choose to contribute to IW
by selecting our CFD number, 0316251. And
every dollar given to Interfaith Works stays right
here in Thurston County, helping our neighbors
and our community.
In past years, IW has received $2500-3000 each
year from the CFD. Please help spread the word
to the state employees you know. Encourage
them to give locally; support Interfaith Works
through the Washington State Employees
Combined Fund Drive.
IS IW IMPORTANT TO YOU?
There are a number of ways that you can support
the ongoing work of Interfaith Works. Which one is
right for you?
♦ Volunteer with IW. You could be on a
committee, work at an event, help out with the
web site or with office work. See our Volunteer
page online or call the office for ideas.
♦ Use GoodSearch as your online search
engine and GoodShop as the starting point for
your online shopping. Every search earns one
cent for IW, and IW will get some money for each
of your online purc hases. Visit
www.goodsearch.com or call the IW office for help
setting it up.
♦ Pledge to make a monthly contribution of $5
or $10 or more. IW will send you envelopes for
mailing your contributions.
♦ Designate IW as recipient of your State
Employees Combined Fund contribution.
Designate CFD # 316251.
♦ Become an affiliate member of IW. Any
individual or non-profit organization who
subscribes to IW’s purpose is welcome to apply
for membership.

SUPPORT THE INTERFAITH WORK

We appreciate your one-time gift or monthly contribution, no matter the amount.
I would like to support the programs and activities of Interfaith Works

Amount of Gift:______________ ( ) one-time ( ) monthly _____Please send information about affiliate membership
Name:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________

Phone:___________________ E-mail:_______________________________________________________________
Please include this form and make checks payable to Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia WA 98507.
Your gift to Interfaith Works, a 501(c)3 organization, is deductible as allowed under federal tax law.

July 2008, p. 5
 TELL US WHEN TO STOP!
We are happy to send our newsletter to anyone who wants it. We also realize that some people who once
wanted our newsletter might later decide that they no longer want to receive it. If you would like to be
removed from our mailing list, please notify us at InterfaithWorks@comcast.net or 357-7224 .
Are you interested in browsing our newsletter, but want to save us the trees, ink, and postage? We would
be happy to add you to our email list to receive a notice each month when the newsletter is online, and
remove you from the “snail-mail” list. Just send an email to InterfaithWorks@comcast.net to let us know
the name on the newsletter that you’d like to changed to email. Thanks!

PAID ADS

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!

Contact the Interfaith Works office about running a
$10 ad. Ads are approximately 3” x 2” and are
run subject to approval and space available.
Payment and ad copy are due by 12 noon on the
2nd Tuesday of the month, for publication on or
about the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
InterfaithWorks@comcast.net or 357-7224

Non-Profit Org.
Interfaith Works U.S. Postage
PO Box 1221 PAID
Olympia WA 98507 Permit No. 325
Olympia, Wa 98501

Return service requested

July 2008, p. 6