Vermont Interfaith Action

Latest News

COVID-19 Memorial Service

On Sunday, September 19th at 3 pm on the Statehouse Lawn in Montpelier VIA is hosting a public memorial service to honor all those Vermonters who died from COVID -- 279 at the latest count. The primary emphasis will be on reading the names of all those we've lost and marking their passing symbolically with the placing of a flower. Clergy of various faiths will also briefly share prayers and readings from the scriptures of different traditions.

All are welcome to come and pay their respects to those whose presence will be deeply missed.

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Learn to be an Effective White Ally in Dismantling Systemic Racism

Liberatory Path Book Study: "So You Want to Talk

About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo

This four part study on Thursday nights in September and October is being offered to folks who may not have done much work already around racial justice but feel that it is time to start, or people who have begun their journey toward being a white ally and don't have the opportunity to talk about it with folks in their own circle. There is no cost for this series on Zoom, although participants will have to obtain the book - through a local bookstore, audiobook, library, borrowing from a friend, etc. If you are unable to get a copy but still wish to participate, please let us know.

This study will be led by Rev. Marjorie MacNeill, with support from VIA staff.

Thurs, Sept. 30 - 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Thurs, Oct 7 - 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Thurs, Oct 14 - 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Thurs, Oct 21 - 7:00 to 8:30 PM

More on Becoming an Anti-Racist Ally

Liberatory Path 4-part Workshop

Whether you are just learning about what it means to be anti-racist or you have been working on this for decades, this 4 part workshop on the history of racism and what is at stake as we re-imagine our culture is for you. Offered select Monday evenings in Sept and Oct from 6:30 to 8:30 pm (see below)

We will spend four sessions, each 2 hours long, to explore how racism impacts our lives personally, in our faith communities, within VIA and the broader VT community. It is also designed to be lay a foundation for further conversations and action beyond our time together.

Note that each session builds on the other and if you are unable to make more than 1 session, please consider not registering until we offer it again. Registration is limited to the first 20 people. There is a suggested donation of $25 for participation. Please contact Melissa@viavt.org if you have any questions.

From 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm each time:

Mon, Sept 20th - Whiteness and White Supremacy Culture
Mon, Oct 4th - Dreaming of a Self Beyond Whiteness
Mon, Oct 18th - White Supremacy in Our Organizing
Mon, Oct 25th - Calling Each Other In

Join us for our Sixth Annual VIA Statewide Convention

When: Thursday, October 7, 2021

9:30 am to 2:30 pm, including lunch

Cost: $20 per person, but no one will be turned away for lack of payment

Where: Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church,

43 Hebard Hill Road, Randolph

Are you sure we want to meet in person?

We have decided to go ahead with an in-person gathering because we feel that this is the best way for us to connect and strengthen the relationships that mean so much in our work. But we do ask that if you attend, you: 1) have been fully vaccinated, and 2) wear a mask while indoors. We also want to encourage everyone to eat lunch outdoors on the patio.

What will we be doing?

We will hear reports about the accomplishments of our organizing committees on our issues, engage in one-to-one conversations with new friends, discuss the vision we have for VIA, share a meal together, and worship together.

What if I don't want to or cannot come in person?

All of the reports from organizing committees will be available as recordings on our YouTube site to watch before the Convention. And there will be the chance to participate by Zoom in the visioning process from 11:00 am to 12:15 pm on Oct. 7th.

For more information, contact Debbie at debbie@viavt.org.

If you would like to attend in-person or virtually, please register here.