What does Faith House want to become? And how?
~ by Staff, Advisory Council, and Launch Team of Faith House
Our dear supporters, friends, and well-wishers, we are excited to introduce to you our dreams. Many thanks to those of you who have helped us say what we carry inside. Here is the statement of Mission, Vision, and Principles of our community. Pray for us, advise us, support us! Thank you!
MISSION: To be a thriving inter-dependent community.
We are a community that discovers “the other” (individuals or groups other than our own).
SHARE YOUR STORY
We honor and learn from the teachings, practices, sufferings, and joys of people from different faiths (religions, worldviews, philosophies, and belief systems).HEAL THE WORLD
We come together to deepen our personal and communal journeys, learn to live with our differences, and contribute to the wellbeing of the world.
VISION: To participate in development of a holistic society where people from different faiths understand, respect, and protect one another, uniting to improve communities around them. In order to achieve this vision, we are beginning and growing six aspects of our local community in New York City:
At this weekly gathering, we learn from others, share our stories, and organize our community to serve the common good. Together we explore human experience, holy days, spiritual practices, current cultural and societal issues, and the lives of inspirational people from the past and present.2. Study of Texts and Traditions
These sessions delve into the formative texts and traditions of a particular faith. People from all traditions are invited to participate so that all can learn through the eyes and experiences of the other.
3. Intergenerational Programming
Care and programs for the life cycle permeate our community. Infants, children, youth, adults, and seniors all contribute, bless, and benefit from our life together.
4. Service, Personal Wellness, and Ecological Sustainability
Separately or in synergy with other organizations, Faith House provides opportunities to serve and make a lasting difference in the lives of the poor, oppressed, and neglected in New York City and globally. Faith House also seeks to supports its members in living healthy lives, promoting sustainability, and caring for earth’s resources.
5. Community Building and Cultural Events
Periodically Faith House members or groups present and host events and activities outside our regular programming in order to connect with each other and with the life of our city.
6. Generous Giving and Financial Accountability
To support our community and its mission, we ask members and friends of Faith House to contribute regularly and generously. In turn, Faith House maintains mechanisms of financial accountability, and it pledges 10% of its income from individual donors to support religious or community organizations that help Faith House fulfill its mission.
PRINCIPLES: To guide our relationships and the life of our community, these principles of inter-dependence describe not what we hold as sacred or central but how we hold it.
3. COMMON JOURNEY, DIFFERENT PATHS: We are sojourners who acknowledge that every faith has its own story, calling, and mission.
4. GENEROUS BELIEF: We believe that our faiths can always grow deeper and that none of our religions, worldviews, philosophies, or belief systems no matter how true, beautiful, or powerful, can ever contain all wisdom, blessing, or power.
5. RE-INTERPRETATION: We continually seek deeper levels of understanding by interpreting and re-interpreting our texts and traditions.
6. GRACIOUS COMMUNICATION: We do not insist that others have to change their language or categories in order for us to hear them, while we seek to translate our concepts to those outside our traditions.
7. GIVING THROUGH RECEIVING: We strive to learn more than to teach as we are called to receive, discern, and value what others have to give us.
8. NEW MEMORIES, NEW HISTORY: We name and acknowledge the harm done to one another throughout history and move beyond into a future of healing and inter-dependence.
9. FREEDOM FROM FORCE AND FREEDOM TO CHANGE: We do not believe in proselytizing; we believe in personal choice and transformation.
10. POST-CYNICISM: We believe a new kind of community is possible.
