Interspiritual organization Gathering of Light honored two interfaith advocates at a gala event marking their 30th anniversary on January 15 on Long Island.
Arvind Vora, founder of Shanti Fund, was presented the Emissary of Peace award for his multiple contributions to interfaith dialogue and understanding for many years. He was an instrumental bridge between newly arriving immigrants and the Long Island community and played a major part in the founding of Long Island Multi Faith Forum.
Satleen Kaur, of United Sikhs, received the Youth Ambassador Award. The young Sikh girl has been selflessly sharing the joy that her faith brings her at many events and on social media for over 12 years.
From a basement start-up to a spiritual sanctuary
The Gathering of Light gala in East Northport’s Larkfield venue was attended by over 100 guests – Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist, Baha’is, Jains, Hindus, and even atheists and agnostics. The feeling of acceptance, inclusion, and caring was palpable throughout the evening. Reverend JoAnn Barrett shared that an event like this offered hope to all of us. “We all were able to focus more on what we have in common while celebrating the richness of our diversity.”
Founded to give a home for the religiously open, curious, and diverse, Gathering Of Light Interspiritual Fellowship (GOL) was started in 1996 in the basement of a chiropractic office in Dix Hills, NY. It was founded by the then newly ordained from an interfaith seminary, Rev. JoAnn Barrett to fulfill the mandate that she accepted at her ordination to be of service where service was called upon. She started the weekly service on Sunday evenings. The idea was to allow people to learn about each other, and have the opportunity to attend other faith organizations. GOL is currently housed at the King of Kings Lutheran Church in Melville, meeting on Saturday mornings.
Over the last 30 years through relationships developed by its leader, people from diverse faiths have been invited to teach their prayers, chants, insights and develop genuine friendships.
Looking ahead: Voices of Faith for Peace
Gathering Of Light was the first religious group in North America to invite the Jain community to celebrate Mahavir Jayanti, which is now a calendar event. Besides this very successful collaboration, GOL also invites other faith groups at least once a year. Their biggest annual event is Voices of Faith for Peace. This event invites 15 different faith traditions to come and share five or six minutes of sacred chanting each. Over the years it’s cosponsors have included SUNY Farmingdale and SUNY Old Westbury, Turkish Cultural Center of Long Island. This year Voices of Faith for Peace will be held on February 7 at Christ Lutheran Church in East Northport, NY from 4 to 6:30 PM.
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