Sarah Oliver Sacred Connections

7 Days of Rest and Sacred Renewal

From 1 – 7 January each year, a global event takes place called 7 Days of Rest. This year, under the theme of Sacred Renewal, we spoke to seven of our members and friends of interfaith, and asked them to share with us their secrets to sacred renewal, intention setting and deepening understanding of what this time of year symbolises.
You can watch our videos here to learn more about the perspectives on faith and practices of our diverse members. We spoke to

1: Cecil Plaatjies, Nichiren Buddhist (Rebirthing)

2. Rev Laurie Gaum, Queer Activist (Nourishing)

3. Bishop Yvette Moses, Methodist Church (Cultivating)

4. Rev/Ven Nima Taylor, Unitarian (Communing)

5. Bishop Thembekile Gqwaka,United Methodist and African Traditional (Sharing)

6. Rabbi Emma Gottlieb, Temple Israel Progressive Jewish Community (Valuing)

7. Imam Salieg Isaacs, Kalksteenfontein Masjied (Celebrating)

Sarah Oliver Sacred Connections

Sacred Connections with the Cape Town Unitarians

“What a joy to have a space where people can think differently but love the same” – These were the words of Rev. Nima Taylor, minister of the Cape Town Unitarians as she reflected on the mornings Sacred Connections. The morning began with lighting the Chalice, which for the Unitarians, the flaming chalice represents the light of truth, the fire of compassion and the commitment to and the warm embrace of community.

From here, four different speakers, representing Islam, Judaism and Christianity, had been invited to reflect on the question of ‘What do you love about your religion’.

Sheikh Ismail Keraan spoke about the collective and communal consciousness and ethos of working together and caring for society during the holy month of Ramadan; a time that builds social cohesion, displayed through the values of patience and commitment, leading to the development of empathy and love.

Dr Leonard Suransky reflected on the importance of family, charity and the wonderful sharing of Shabbat in the Jewish faith.

And Thuli Mjwara and Rev Michelle Boonzaaier from Inclusive and Affirming Ministries, spoke to the importance of inclusion in Christianity; sharing their own stories of their faith and ever-moving journeys with God.

It’s honest and heartfelt sharings like these that bring us together in an expression of our common humanity and love for the sacred. Thank you to everyone who attended, and to our wonderful hosts, Rev Nima Taylor and the Cape Town Unitarian Community. Our next Sacred Connections will be at the Novalis Ubuntu Institute on the 28th April!

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Sarah Oliver Cape Town activities, Peace, Sacred Connections

Sacred Connections at Princess Vlei

4b30e3b1-780c-4093-a6a6-5d35b7dc94f5Gathered under the beautiful open sky, on the banks of Princess Vlei, we came together for the second Sacred Connections on the 25th November. This was a particularly significant one, as CTII had been blessed with a gift of sacred water from the Indigeneous people of Canada, during the Parliament of the World’s Religions, and so we ceremoniously welcomed this gift into our own waters, led by African Traditional practitioner, Ayanda Nabe.

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Board member, Kirtanya Lutchminayaran, wrote the following reflection on the day:

“What started as a Board discussion in a tiny room has spiralled into a beautiful concept that we at CTII call Sacred Connections. A monthly service for people of all faith and none, to connect, share, learn and enjoy other faiths, traditions practices and beliefs. Celebrating unity in diversity and fostering tolerance, harmony and togetherness. The first was in October at Brahma Kumaris and celebrated African Tradition, Hinduism and Interspiritual Tradition. Today was the second event at Princess Vlei, a historically meaningful site. There were Taize chants, a talk on a Course in Miracles, and a Sacred Water Blessing by the Sangoma on our Board, who merged water gifted to Sarah at the Parliament of World Religions, from the Indigenous people of Turtle Island, Canada, with our Cape Town Vlei, a symbolic ritual of calling on ancestors and giving thanks and seeking blessings for our precious planet. There was a Spanish song on water, sung that originated from Guatemalan Shamans, and amidst us was a wonderful Sikh woman from Portugal who is visiting Cape Town. The fisherman along the river joined us too! A truly profound experience, we are blessed to be able to do this Interfaith work” – Kirtanya Lutchminarayan 

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