Training: Communicating Across Chasms within and Between the Faiths

Posted by on April 1, 2005

Communicating Across Chasms within and Between the Faiths
With
Martin Dronsfield, Director of Interfaith Programs For “Opening of the Heart”

Date: Sunday, April 17, 2005
Time: 1-9 p.m.
Location: 3723 Chestnut Street, The Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia
Fee: $125, including training materials and dinner

Compassionate Listening Workshop
This introductory training will focus on bringing fundamental listening skills to the more challenging aspects of our interfaith work. Beyond stereotypes and judgments exists our deep compassion for ourselves and others. These skills offer us the capacity to listen to people we disagree with in our personal lives, faith communities and beyond. Listening with compassion does not mean agreeing with or condoning what we hear, but allows the space for each person’s full expression of self while holding out for our common humanity. We develop awareness and skill that enables us to be more effective communicators and change-makers. The workshop will particularly help us to address communication over the chasms or polarities that sometimes exist within or among faiths.

Compassionate Listening Project Certified Facilitator Martin Dronsfield has conducted events with multi-faith speakers from the Muslim, Sufi, Christian, Jewish, Native American and Bahai traditions. From Hamburg, Germany, he is the Director of International Development for Projekt Einfuehlsam Zuhoeren, the German partner for the Jewish/German Compassionate Listening Program, and holds a degree in psychology from Hamburg University. Martin facilitates Essential Peacemaking / Women & Men, The Compassionate Listening Project Workshops and is the Director – Consultant for the Opening of the Heart Interfaith programs.

Sponsored by the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia
3723 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, http://www.interfaithcenterpa.org

To register, or for more information call 215-222-1012 or e-mail ash@interfaithcenterpa.org

We are encouraging a diversity of religious congregations to send representatives. Skills learned here can be applied in congregational and community settings. Opportunities for follow-up will be offered. Other individuals are also welcome as space allows.