North American Interfaith Network

“NAINConnects”

NAIN “Connects” That is the name we’ve used for our yearly in-person gatherings. The title says it all - networking is our purpose and priority. Our members are our network. NAINConnect is a term we have come to love as we meet and learn from each other.

Now novel technologies are making new connections possible. We are widening the meaning of “Connect” while we continue to focus on learning from successful models of interfaith organizations. We hope to connect not only through these regular monthly NAINnews updates with stories of successful projects, but also quarterly on-line “Connects” and breakout rooms for real interpersonal exchange, as well as the traditional in-person programming.

Please send us your stories from your interfaith community

We will select a few each month to highlight in NAINews. You can send your stories to Shelton Nalley. and Thank You for your continued work.

From Temple of Understanding

Earth Democracy and the Rights of Nature

an interfaith online forum

October 12, 2023, Temple of Understanding , a founding member of NAIN, hosted an outstanding line up of presenters including Chief Arvol Looking Horse, His Holiness the Sakya Trichen, Dr. Vandana Shiva, Bill McKibben, Matthew Fox, and speakers from the UN, the White House, the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights, the Religious Naturalism Movement and messages from Indigenous leaders on the Rights of Nature from around the world.

Watch FORUM2023 Here

From The Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable

Saint Oscar Romero and the Continuous Fight Against Injustice

October 18, 2023, The Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable and the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City held a conference hosting over sixty (60) people regarding the work of Saint Oscar Romero and his tireless efforts against injustice. At the event José Bonilla said. “Never has the work of the roundtable been more important than at times like this,” Pastor Price said. “We demonstrate a different way of being in the world together here where we work so hard to reach across faiths, communities and to build bridges between one another – Jew, Muslim, Christian and everything in between – … coming together to seek a common humanity to transcend our differences and to come into a place of appreciation and love for one another and one another’s space.” Let us prayer together, but let us also work together to put an end to injustice when and where we see it.

Read More Here

Digital Connects

Stay Tuned 2024:

We are currently in the planning stage for several “Digital Connects.” Unlike many online meetings, NAIN emphasizes dialogue - and always has. Breakout rooms are the answer. You will get a chance to meet and discuss with interfaith community leaders in small group discussions. Take aways? Inspiration, new models of successful projects and programming, thoughtful and in-depth discussions, new information and skills.

Share Your Story:

If you have a successful project you would like to share during one of these online Connects, write to us. Your organization can be the feature group and host a discussion by providing an overview, discussion questions, and small group moderators. Contact Shelton Nalley to let us know if you have a story you would like to share.

Membership Assistant

NAIN is excited to introduce Geneva Blackmer who has recently joined NAIN! Geneva will be working closely with our membership committee and the General Board to build the organization. Geneva Blackmer earned a Master's of Ecumenical Studies from the University of Bonn, Germany in 2023 and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies in 2019 from Athens State University, USA. She has served as a Global Council Trustee for the United Religions Initiative (URI) North America since 2020, and has worked for the following interfaith organizations in varying capacities: the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada, the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington DC, the Interfaith Center at Miami University, Faith Communities Go Green, Interfaith Cincy, the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, and the World Faiths Center for Religious Experience and Study (CRES). Welcome Geneva!