Popular Poway program on religions returning this summer

By: ANDREA MOSS - Staff Writer | Friday, June 22, 2007 10:43 PM PDT ∞

POWAY ---- A 2006 summer program that offered people the chance to learn about multiple religions and cultures was such a hit that it's making an encore.

The new round of Interfaith Summer Nights will kick off July 5 at Community Church of Poway with a 90-minute session about Christianity. The free series, which is sponsored by the Poway Interfaith Council, will continue with programs about other religions from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 23.

Sikhism, Islam, Baha'i, Hindu, Buddhism, Judaism, New Thought, Sufi and Navajo are the other religions that will be covered.

During the programs, a spiritual leader from the corresponding religion will share stories from his or her faith. Audience members will also get to hear music and sample food from the culture associated with that religion.

The series will conclude Aug. 19 with a celebration picnic at Lake Poway.

The Rev. Stephen Albert knows firsthand how hearing someone of a different religion explain its culture and traditions can open a person's mind.

"When I first met a Sikh with the turban and a sword on his belt, I was a little bit taken aback," Albert said Friday. "And then I learned why they wear what they wear and why they carry the sword. ... And I was like, 'Wow, why didn't somebody tell me that 50 years ago?' "

The Poway Interfaith Council was created in February 2006 by representatives of various churches, synagogues and temples in the city. The group's goal is to increase public awareness and understanding of various religions and faith communities and their traditions.

Albert, a New Thought minister who belongs to the council, said its members originally hoped to see 30 or so people at each of last year's Summer Nights sessions.

"When they kept coming in the door and coming in the door and coming in the door, we kept putting out more chairs and more chairs and more chairs," he said. "All of a sudden the entire room was filled. And we were very pleased."

Attendance ended up being 80 to 90 people per program.

Albert said the program was so popular with religious leaders, as well, that the council added faiths that weren't covered in last year's sessions ---- Navajo and Sufi ---- to this year's program.

"We opened it up by word of mouth to anyone who wanted to be part of helping people understand the truths of their religion, and we just waited to see who would come," he said. "The word spread, and all of a sudden another faith showed up. And the next month, another faith came by."

Because organizers wanted to keep the program to eight sessions, the July 26 and Aug. 16 sessions will be split between Islam and Baha'i and New Thought and Sufi, respectively. Participants can attend the entire program or pick one or more sessions covering the religions they'd like to know more about.

The picnic will celebrate diversity and feature food, games and songs that bring people together. Last year, 120 people of all religions showed up for the final event.

"Talk about bringing the world together ---- it was beautiful," said Albert.

Community Church of Poway is at 13501 Community Road. Although reservations for the program or individual sessions are not required, they are welcomed so organizers know how much food to prepare.

Call (858) 487-8885 to sign up or get more information.

Contact staff writer Andrea Moss at (760) 739-6654 or amoss@nctimes.com.

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