Others With Vision and Purpose

A Contemplative Community Online at Old St. Patricks

October 21, 2024
Old St. Pat's Contemplative Community

Are you looking to transform your heart and mind through spiritual practice?

Join us to experience the enrichment and community that online contemplation can offer. From Monday to Saturday, our virtual chapel provides nine different opportunities for prayer and reflection. 

Whether you choose to participate occasionally or regularly, have an established meditation practice or are just beginning, are affiliated with a church or are spiritual but not religious, you are welcome here.

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The Plum Village App – Thich Nhat Hanh on your mobile phone

September 11, 2024

Did you know Plum Village has an app you can use on your mobile phone to access the teachings and practices of Thich Nhat Hanh? The Plum Village App Team sends this message in the late Summer days of August and September:

Summer is still in full force – a rather hot and changeable one in Plum Village, but we hope you’re all able to keep cool and refreshed through daily practice.

August has arrived and before long we’ll venture into autumn. For many, this summer month is a series of lazy days: a great time to practice mindfulness.

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Mindfulness Camp for Kids

July 2, 2024

Dates: July 8th to July 10th, 2024 (Monday to Wednesday)
Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Age Group: 7 to 13 years old

Through fun and interactive activities, your child will develop essential skills for managing stress and fostering emotional well-being. Enroll them today and give them the gift of mindfulness, confidence, and joy!

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Mindful Reflection Community

March 27, 2024
Mindful Reflection Community

Terry Kinsey, the secretary for the Shem Center Board of Directors, founded the Mindful Reflection Community of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation.  It is a lay-led organization. It is open to all members and friends of Unity Temple who are interested in exploring meditation, mindfulness, and Buddhist teachings. We do not follow one traditional Buddhist lineage but are interested in all lineages as well as Unitarian-Universalist/ secular/liberal/western/modern interpretations of Buddhism.

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Tikkun—The Prophetic Jewish, Interfaith & Secular Voice to Heal and Transform the World

November 2, 2023
Palestinian-Jewish Solidarity Statement

Tikkun uplifts Jewish, interfaith, and secular prophetic voices of hope that contribute to universal liberation. A catalyst for long-term social change we empower people and communities to heal the world by embracing revolutionary love, compassion, and empathy. We promote a caring society that protects the life support system of the planet and celebrates the Earth and the universe with awe and radical amazement.

Tikkun published “Palestinian-Jewish Solidarity Statement” on October 12, 2023. It begins…

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Consider the Lilies of the Field

October 21, 2023

Pope Francis has written a follow-up letter to an earlier one, “Laudato Si” regarding the environmental crisis. This one is titled, “Laudate Deum.” He addresses the people of the world, not just Catholics. Here is the opening paragraph and a link to the entire document.

“Praise God for all his creatures”. This was the message that Saint Francis of Assisi proclaimed by his life, his canticles and all his actions. In this way, he accepted the invitation of the biblical Psalms and reflected the sensitivity of Jesus before the creatures of his Father: “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin…

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Leaders at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions Offer Urgent Call for the Amazon

September 25, 2023
Leaders Gathered at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions Offer Urgent Call for the Amazon

On Wednesday, August 16th the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative and the Parliament of the World’s Religions hosted a critical discussion on Indigenous peoples, their spiritualities and the shared moral responsibility across faiths to protect the Amazon and the rights and cultures of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago. Moderated by Lewis Cardinal and Zaya Guarani, this assembly featured keynotes from some of the most prominent Indigenous leaders of the Amazon sharing the urgent call to protect the forest and the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples, as well as highlighting the vital role…

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Parliament of the World’s Religions, 1893

September 14, 2023
Parliament of the World's Religions 1893

This historic event convened again in Chicago (1993), Cape Town (1999), Barcelona (2004), Melbourne (2009), Salt Lake City (2015), Toronto (2018) and virtually (2021). These Parliament convenings are the world’s oldest, largest, and most inclusive gatherings of the global interfaith movement. Nearly 60,000 people across the world have gathered in an enduring commitment to justice, peace, and sustainability through the lens of interfaith dialogue and cooperation. 

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Grateful Living: Bringing Hope & Trust to Life

September 14, 2023
Grateful Living

As a way of life grounded in taking nothing for granted, Grateful Living brings deeper peace, greater well-being, and an enhanced capacity for joy to people all around the globe. As a moment-to-moment practice, it wakes us up to the opportunities always available to us, even in the most uncertain and challenging times. Join us to explore trustworthy pathways and practices that will help you approach, frame, and learn from everything that unfolds in your life. Bring the gifts of gratitude to life, and in so doing become a force for healing in your life and in the world. 

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Before You Go — End of Life Planning

September 14, 2023
Before You Go

IN THIS CLASS, WE WILL CONSIDER TOGETHER THE MYRIAD CHOICES, DOCUMENTATION, RECORDS, ETC. ONE CAN PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME AND GET A GOOD START ON THOSE PREPARATIONS.

What is unique about this class? There are many similar and excellent courses available. However, in this class we will be exploring not only the legal documentation, but practical considerations relational networks, wishes for your memorial and for your body’s disposition, and much more. All of this information is valuable to anyone no matter your age or state of health.

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Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
708 North Harvey Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302

(708) 848-1095
shemcenter1993@gmail.com

Photo Credits: Emory Mead, Stephen B. Starr, Joseph Kilikevice

The Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality website is awarded a 2022 American Digital Design Award for excellence in design and user experience.

2022 American Digital Design Awards