Week Long Immersion Course

Increasingly we are living in a New World that involves the mixing of cultures and religions.  This birth of a new age has been brought about by the internet technology, instant worldwide communication, and the ability to travel anywhere in the world within twenty-four hours.  Cultures are encountering each other and that means that an America that considers itself a ‚ÄúChristian Nation‚Äù must realize that all the faiths in the world are present in our country and many of them live next door to us.

The Interfaith Immersion Week introduces people to the life and practices of other faiths ‚Äì Muslim to Christian, Christian to Jewish, Jewish to Buddhists and Buddhists to Hindu.  Our goal is to expose the participants to the faith, to inform them of the essentials, and to challenge them to become involved in developing the interfaith ministry.  These experiences will contribute to creating a large, inclusive community that works together to create vitality and justice.

The Immersion Week begins with an orientation on Sunday evening.  During the next five days the group spends one day exploring each of the faiths.  On Friday the participants gather to review their experiences and to decide how they will expand the interfaith experience.

Each day the participants:  a) visit the place of worship, b) have a tour of the facility introducing them to the architecture, the furniture and the elements in the d√©cor that aid worship, c) a lecture from an expert who practices the faith which will include the nature of the faith (view of God, the World, and the role of humans in the world), the lifestyle it demands, how one becomes a member or participant, the type of discipline exercised in the faith, how the faith relates to and contributes to other faiths, and how it expresses itself in society.

After the lecture describing these facets of the faith, opportunity will be given for questions and comments.  Following the lecture/discussion, the leaders and the participants will share a meal typical of the faith.  During and following the meal practitioners of the faith talk face-to-face with the participants.  After the daylong stimulation the group will spend time considering what they saw, what they learned, and where they were challenged.

For an outline of the next Immersion Week proceed to the next page.  The registration fee for the week is $250.  To register fill out the Registration Form and mail it to the InterFaith Community Institute, 669 East Side Street SE, Atlanta. GA 30316.  If you have questions contact Ben Johnson at 9 Downing Lane, Decatur, GA 30033 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Interfaith Immersion Week

November 14-19, 2010

Venue: Columbia Theological Seminary

501 Columbia Drive

Decatur, Georgia

Sunday, November 14

4:00                Check-In Begins                                                                       HC*

5:30                Gathering Area                                                                          HC

6:00                Dinner                                                                                         HC 222

7:00                Welcome, Orientation & Introductions                                  HC 222

8:30                Prayer at the End of the Day                                                    HC Chapel

Monday, November 15 - Judaism

6:15 AM          Gather in HC Chapel Lobby; Leave for Morning Services

6:50                Shacharit:  Morning Services and Torah reading.

7:45                Breakfast with the ‚ÄúMinyan-aires‚Äù

9:00                Time with Rabbi & Tour of the facility

10:00              Taste of Judaism

11:30              Q & A

12:00              Lunch & Conversation with congregants from Shearith Israel

1:30                Jewish Story Telling

2:30                Jewish Music Sing ‚Äì Along

3:00                Q & A

4:00                Reflection Time with Ben Johnson                                            HC Chapel

6:00                Dinner                                                                                              Refectory

Tuesday, November 16 - Islam

7:30                Breakfast                                                                                         Refectory

8: 15               Gather in Chapel Lobby; Depart for Masjid

9:00                Introduction and Tour

9:40                Depart for Istanbul Center

10:00              Introduction to Islam

11:30              Q & A

12:00              Lunch

1:30                Small Group Discussion

3:00                Silence and Reflection

5:00                Depart for Dinner in Muslim Homes

9:00                Return to Istanbul Center

9:15                Depart for CTS

Wednesday, November 17‚ Hinduism

7:30                Breakfast                                                                              Refectory

8:10                Gather in Chapel Lobby; Depart for Riverdale Hindu Temple

8:30                Hindu Temple Tour with Dr. Ravi Sarma

9:45                Depart for Vedanta Center

10:30              Introductory Presentation with Gillian Renault

11:30              Hinduism as a Culture with Pranab Lahiri

12:00              Q & A

12:30              Lunch

2:00                Follow up

2:30                Ben Johnson to Interview Swami Brahmavidyananda, followed by Q & A

3:00                Short Break

3:15                Small Group Discussion

4:15                Chant Service (Interfaith Songs)

4:45                Silent Meditation in the Chapel

5:15                Departure to CTS

5:30                A Reflection on the Day                                                  HC Chapel

6:00                Dinner                                                                                Refectory

Thursday, November 18 ‚ Buddhism

7:30                Breakfast                                                                            Refectory

8:15                Gather in Chapel Lobby: Depart for Soto Zen Center

9:00                Introduction and Tour

10:30              Presentation of Faith

    Tour, Lecture, Q & A

12:00              Lunch

1:30                Small Group Discussion

3:30                Depart for Temple and Interfaith Service

5:00                Dinner                                                                                 Frankie‚Äôs Italian Restaurant

7:00                Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Friday, November 19 ‚ Group Reflection & Response

Packing Up & Checking Out: Please put sheets and towels in pillowcase and place in hallway.  *Please check out of your guest room before you come to class at 8:30 ‚Äîyou may store your luggage in our meeting room until you are ready to leave. From 7:30-8:30 a.m. time is set aside for you to turn in your guest room key, nametag holder, and evaluation in room HC Chapel Lobby. Also at this time, return your meal card and pay for meal card charges.  Don‚Äôt forget to turn in any registrations for future courses.

7:30                Breakfast                                                                              Refectory

7:30                Checkout of Rooms                                                           HC Chapel Lobby

8:30                Program Information and Details                                    HC Chapel

8:45                Corporate Silence

9:00                Small Group Reflections

9:30                Large Group Reflection                                                     HC Chapel

10:30              Break

11:00              Closing Prayer                                                                    HC Chapel

12:00              Depart

* HC Refers to Harrington Center at Columbia Theological Seminary