Celebrating 2017 at Interweave
We are so proud to have brought you another year of innovative programming to educate, inspire and expand our thinking. Here are just a few highlights!
Bob Morris
We started 2017 off with a joyous 50th anniversary celebration of the ordination of our founder, The Rev. Robert Corin Morris, D. D. Congratulations Bob, we thank you for sharing your ministry with Interweave!
In today’s environment, it is abundantly clear that people need to talk, to process. In 
February we were pleased to introduce “Exchange,” a series of moderated conversations around timely TED Talks. Our first exchange, was around Can a Divided America Heal . This talk featured an examination of the morals that form the basis of our political choices, and provided an important forum for those of us seeking a deeper understanding of the world.
We continued to engage in meaningful interfaith work as our Jews and Christians Study Text Together series completed its 13th year. Our topic was The Bible of Hate vs. the Bible of Love, which examined texts from Scripture that are still used to incite intolerance, exclusion and hatred toward others, especially “out groups.”
We kicked off our winter program with an evening of theater presented by Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre at The Oakes Center in Summit. Continuing the Conversation: An Evening of Short Plays in Response to the Election was a unique and invigorating evening of thought-provoking theater and community conversation that also supported Interweave.
In March we discovered the joy of interior silence with Practicing Presence: An 
introduction to Centering Prayer, offered by friend and Interweave staff member Rory McEntee. Rory is author of New Monasticism: An Interspiritual Mamifesto for Contemplative Living, and is pursuing his Ph.D. in Theology and Philosophy at Drew University. A monthly centering group emerged from this enthusiastically received program.
April featured the New Jersey premiere of The Sultan and the Saint, of which Interweave was a publicity sponsor. This 2016 film from Unity Productions Foundation tells the story of an historic meeting between Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik Al-Kamil during the Fifth Crusade, and the transformative impact of their encounter. These two people of faith moved beyond borders and ideologies in an effort to seek common ground. This is the work of peacemaking.
April also brought our 2017 Book of the Year,Tantric Jesus, by the Rev. Dr. James H. Reho,
Interweave board and faculty member, Episcopal priest and tantric initiate. It reframes the Christian story and restores to modern Christianity the tantric wisdom practices that were forgotten over the centuries.
Our June benefit, Be the Change celebrated Interweave’s transformative work as well Fletcher Harper and Sue Hirner, two Interweavers who embody our shared call to “be the change we want to see in the world.”
Our Wisdom School pilot, Spiritual Insurgency, explored ways of cultivating peace in uncertain times and the challenges of living into that journey. This three day intensive included spiritual teaching, reflection and sharing, with a focus on prayer and practice.
September brought Finding Courage, a two-woman art show featuring Interweave
members Lisa Brown a
nd Diane Gallo. Their work, on exhibit in Calvary’s newly renovated gallery space, reminded us of the invitation to renewal that can be found when we open our eyes to the beauty we encounter all around us.
In October, we offered a 12-week academic introduction to the Apostolic Writings and Gospels, which explored the New Testament writings within their historical context. It was open to anyone interested in a deeper understanding of early Christianity, and could be applied to Diaconate Training Certification for the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.
Rabbi Shefa Gold returned to Interweave in November for Becoming Whole, Becoming Healers, leading us through self-awareness, self-compassion and compassion for all the world to becoming a healing presence.
Even if you weren’t able to join us in person for Ground and Clear Your Personal Energy 
with our own Victoria Whitfield, you were able to livestream it! We plan to offer more live streaming in 2018.
Our December highlight was a fascinating exploration of racism and
the complexity of the societal challenges unmasked by the events in Charlottesville with Dr. Nancy Cantor, social psychologist and Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark. It was an inspiring evening that left us with a glimmer of hope about our nation’s future.
We want to thank you for helping us to make 2017 such a memorable year in the life of Interweave! We are on winter break this month, but look forward to seeing you when classes resume in February. Stay tuned!
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