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QICqicQIC |
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Welcome
to the Qinqean Interfaith Council. |
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Mission
and Objectives
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Links
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Current
News and Events
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Vision & Mission Statement
:: Who We Are
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History of the Council
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Objectives
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Vision and Mission
Statements |
Vision
"The
Qinqean
Interfaith Council
strives for a world where all people, irregardless of
faith traditions are honored, respected and celebrated."
Mission
"The
Qinqean
Interfaith Council
rebuilds
lives and builds community through
service,
education, and celebration of interfaith cooperation,
understanding, and social interaction."
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Who
We Are |
Congregations
who want to:
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Engage
in interfaith dialogue
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Work together on social issues from a spiritual
perspective
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Create
Opportunities for shared programs
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Pray
together by traditions
Agencies
who want to:
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Connect with
others who share spiritual values
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Establish
relationships with the faith community
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Share
information through the newsletter "Connections".
Individuals
who want to:
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Experience
interfaith community
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Explore
different faith traditions
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Interact
meaningfully with people from other faith traditions
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Discover
volunteer opportunities with faith communities
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History of the Council |
History of the Qinqean Interfaith
Council
The history of the Qinqean Interfaith Council may be
divided into three phases. Phase one begins with the
founding of the organization in 1960. In that year
Hurricane Nimawi devastated Qinqe. Several faith
congregations (mostly Christian and Jewish) collaborated
to provide relief to the hurricane victims. All who
participated were deeply moved by the experience of
interfaith collaboration. They were motivated to
continue and expand the work. With that the Qinqean
Interfaith Council was established. From its inception
the Council has been unique among ecumenical and
interfaith organizations.1
Although many ecumenical organizations have existed in
municipalities around the world, until recently very few
were founded as interfaith. Another unusual aspect of
the Council�s organization is that it affiliates
non-profit organizations which support its mission.
During this first phase the Council was completely
voluntary. There was a Board of Directors which provided
leadership as well as doing the tasks which were needed.
The activities included events and projects for the
interfaith community itself as well as efforts to reach
out to the Qinqean community at large. From the
beginning the Council has been deeply involved in issues
of peace and justice in Qinqe.
In 1979 the Board recognized that the Council was taking
root and growing. They realized that if its mission was
to be successful the organization must move into its
second phase. The decision was made to hire an Executive
Director and an Administrative Assistant. During this
second phase the Council experienced significant growth.
The diversity of the congregational membership was
enhanced. While the number of members from the Christian
and Jewish traditions increased, other faith traditions
joined as well. These included Baha�i�s, Buddhists,
Muslims, Unitarians, etc. The activities of the Council
were focused around three areas: Human Values,
Leadership Development and Human Needs. During this time
the Council began to collaborate extensively with
organizations with similar missions.
1996 marked the beginning of the third and current phase of the
Council�s life. In order to do some organizational
assessment and planning, a consultant was hired to work
with the Board. The Board spent six months working very
hard to develop a strategic plan, which was formally
adopted in September of 1996 as a �living document.� The
plan has resulted in many significant changes and new
life for the Council. It identifies three areas of
activities � celebrating faith traditions, advocating
justice and building community � with significant
emphasis placed on outreach and community development
projects, including activism around affordable housing,
welfare and immigration issues, raising the minimum
wage, education of youth about interfaith life, and
involvement in the work of the Qinqean Human Rights
Roundtable, the Qinqean Integrative Healing Network and
the Healthy Qinqe Partnership.
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1 The word ecumenical refers to
collaboration among diverse Christian denominations. The
word interfaith refers to collaboration among diverse
faith traditions (e.g. Christians, Jews, Muslims,
Hindu�s, Baha�i�s, etc.).
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