Capital District Interfaith Alliance
Interfaith Alliance of New York State



Capital District Chapter TIANYS Meeting Report
May 10, 2004


Members and visitors present: Ed Bloch, Lou Ismay, Nicholas Fuller, Gene Rowland, Bernard Fleishman, Joe Norton, Pat Beetle, John Amidon, Senley Jack, Joe Seeman, Anne Marfey, Jean Cowan, Mussarat Chaudhrey, Wendy Van Orden, Nina Pattison, M. Mangino, Florence Skiff.

The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman. Invocation was by Rev. Dr. Senley Jack.

Treasurers Report: Available funds are now $3680. There are 40 paid members.

Correction of April minutes, the Electoral Reform committee met May 7th.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Electoral Reform - Joe Seeman and Gene Rowland. There was a Clean Elections Lobby Day last week. They keep working on it but there is little progress to report.

The Clean elections committee re-elected officers and added some new people on the hearing pool. Betsy Swan is president. They pased a motion to reduce the dues from $100 to $50 as this amount will cover expenses. Ed B. was asked to make out the check for this amount.

Violence-Anger Management: John Amidon. SAVI will have their annual meeting in the Empire Room 6 NYS Plaza Friday March 14.

The Anger Management program continues to go well. 11 attended the last session. They are continuing to develop the youth program.

John felt that we should respond to the present situation in Iraq and noted the erosion in our society's values. He also noted that recruiters were aloud to play loud rock music in the school yard to attract attention.

John said they were making wood crosses representing those killed (about 800) and are looking for a display area to set them up for Memorial Day. Nina Patison asked if all those who died were Christians and John responded that they did not know names or religion of those who died. The crosses were to represent graves.

Education Finance - The news conference sponsored by the interfaith working group on education will be this week. There will be speakers and they are hoping for media people to attend. On May 20th there will be a general session followed by lobbying. CFE and AQE will meet on the east steps of the Capital at 11 a.m.. M. Mangino said that July 30 is the deadline for the state to present their plan. If they don't, a judge will appoint a special master to develop a plan for NYC schools only. CFE is committed to a state wide solution. There will be an observance of Brown vs. the state decision. On May 20th theIntefaith Alliance, NYS Community of Churches will bring the voice of the faith groups to equal education finance. the gathering will be on the Capital steps at 11 a.m. and will be followed by lunch at First Presbyterian Church on Willet St. at about 12:30.

John asked about the TIANYS brochure. Ed said they were working on it.

Pat Beetle said that at the ARISE meeting they decided on: Criminal and Economic Justice, Education, and Urban Sprawl as the task groups.

Nina Pattison invited all to the League of Women Voters dinner meeting Monday May 24th at Emma Willard. Asst Atty General Judy Enck will speak about Environmental conservation. (Email Nina for reservations)

Dr. Mussarat Chaudhrey was introduced and she gave us a summary of Muslim beliefs and practices and showed a short video of the Hajj.

Muslims have many beliefs similar to Christians and Jews. Christ is considered a prophet but not divine.

The five pillars of Islam are: the declaration that there is one God, and believing and acting on it, prayer five times a day, fasting from dawn to sunset for the month of Ramadan, Zakat, which is required charity of 2 1/2% to the poor, and pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime. The central point of Hajj is the ancient cubic building, the Kaaba, built by Abraham and containing a sacred stone. Pilgrims circle the building 7 times, run between the hills of Safa and Mawa (representing Hagar looking for water), and pelt pillars with stones at points where Abraham was tested. These and other rituals are reenactments of acts of Isaac and Ishmael. About 2 million people come each year at this time but pilgrimages can also be done at any time. The Hajj is an intense spiritual experience.

OLD BUSINESS:

Wendy Van Orden asked if a supporitng letter had been sent to churches in Berne, where there had been some objections to Buddhist plans. No further incidents in Berne have been reported.

Announcements:

Joe Seeman said they would be demonstrating by the Laura Bush-Pataki Prayer Breakfast Fund Raiser at the convention Center.

Nina Pattison told us about the Hidden Gardens Tour in Troy June 3rd 4-7 p.m.

NY Farm Workers are heaving a march across NYS from Buffalo, and will have a rally May 11.

Pat Beetle reminded us of the Wheels of Justice Speaking Event May 12 and the political comedy by Dave Lippman on Thursday.

It was suggested that we have a lesson time for those of us less computer literate to learn how to use the new communcation set up.

John Amidon said there was a peace event being planned for Aug 27-28 at the Kateri Shrine.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:30.

Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff

Next Executive Committee meeting May 14th, 9 a.m., at Friendlys, Rte 7.
Next General Meeting June 14th, 9 a.m. at Latham Community Baptist Church.



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