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IGR Community News
Announcements, Newsletters & Activities
IGR members are connected to many different religious, spiritual, ethnic, and cultural groups, and love to share what’s happening in their communities. Check out our new Community News section to see events and activities shared by IGR members!
Please note that while all events and activities posted on the Community Events blog are submitted by Interfaith Grand River members, they are not necessarily endorsed, supported by, or vetted by Interfaith Grand River as an organization.
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Parliament of the World's Religions Statement on Interfaith Responsibility in a Time of Rising Authoritarianism
Around the world, communities are witnessing a troubling rise in fear‑based governance, shrinking civic space, and the targeting of vulnerable groups. These developments are not isolated events, nor are they confined to one nation or community. They remind us that injustice grows when silence replaces solidarity. In the face of systemic cruelty counter to the values fundamental to all religions, and to the democratic ideals to which the United States has long aspired - we wil
Feb 12
Hearts of Freedom Book Launch
You are invited to celebrate the courage and resilience of refugees at the Hearts of Freedom Book Launch, Sunday, February 15, 2-4 pm at the First Hmong Mennonite Church, 93 Doon Rd. Kitchener. More than 210,000 refugees fled South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to settle in Canada between 1975 and 1997. At this event, hear about refugee experiences and groundbreaking resettlement through author readings by Michael J. Molloy and Peter Duchinsky. Also, learn about Canada’s current
Feb 12
Encounter World Religions New Winter Series
Our friends at Encounter World Religions are hosting a learning series called Sound, Spaces, and Celebrations – The Feel of the World's Religions Summary: In this series, we will explore how we experience the world’s religions with our senses. Together we will encounter soundscapes, sacred spaces, the experiences of key holidays that mark festivities and remembrance, and learn how adherents learn from and use their sacred texts. Each of these talks will explore the richness o
Jan 22
Screening of "Thinking Beyond the Market: a film about genuinely affordable housing"
January 26 at 7pm Kitchener Public Library Outside of Kitchener? Find other screenings .
Jan 22
Walking Together in Reconciliation Quilt Project
This Reconciliation Quilt Project is a collaborative effort that will bring together community members who are both indigenous and allies to create quilt squares that reflect our shared journey toward reconciliation and healing. The completed quilt will be assembled and displayed as a lasting symbol of community connection, learning, and commitment to this ongoing work. It will then be auctioned off to raise funds toward Crow Shield Lodges work ( https://www.crowshieldlodge.c
Dec 15, 2025
Spirituality and Aging Webinars
You are invited to register for each of our upcoming webinars. These webinars are free of charge and open to everyone interested in spirituality and aging! You can find more information and register for any and all of these webinars by going to this link: Encore Webinar Series Registration Web Page
Dec 15, 2025
Recording of Presentation: The Challenge of Lasting Peace in the Middle East
The Challenge of Lasting Peace in the Middle East is the title of a presentation and Q&A by Jon Allen on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Forest Hill United Church in Kitchener. You can watch the event here . Jon Allen is currently a Senior Fellow at the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History at the University of Toronto. From 2006 to 2010, he was Canada’s Ambassador to Israel. Jon is also Chair of Rozana Canada, the Canadian branch of an international n
Dec 15, 2025
Meditation at Lake Monastery
18th December 7-8pm The Sikh community is invited to a meditation session at Lake Monastery
Dec 15, 2025
Share your thoughts on the WRDSB Strategic Plan
The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has launched the Strategic Plan Community Consultation Survey. The survey is open to WRDSB students, parents, families, caregivers and community members and will gather information on how we can continue to improve our efforts to support the educational needs of students in the WRDSB. We are asking for your participation and support in sharing this survey. Through this survey we are seeking feedback on the current WRDSB Multi-
Nov 15, 2025
Bring Hope Home Campaign
On December 2nd, SHOW (Supportive Housing of Waterloo) is joining the global GivingTuesday movement and launching our "Bring Hope Home" campaign. The holiday season should be a time of warmth, safety, and belonging — yet for many in our community, that feeling of home remains out of reach. Through SHOW's supportive housing and wrap-around programs, we're helping residents rebuild their lives with dignity, care, and hope. This year, our goal is to raise $35,000.00 to ensur
Nov 15, 2025
Concordia Choirs Christmas Concert
Sunday 7 December at 3pm Concordia Choirs Christmas concert Concordia Club 429 Ottawa Street South Kitchener, Ontario, N2M 3P6 Free but donations are welcome https://www.concordiaclub.ca/events/
Nov 15, 2025
Climate Vigil
You're invited -- to a Waterloo Region Climate Vigil while the UN Climate Conference (COP30) unfolds in Brazil, Nov 10-21. Sunday, November 16, 2pm at Mt Zion Lutheran Church, 29 Westmount Rd S, Waterloo. Guest speaker, Lutheran Pastor Marie Besong from Cameroon is a strong advocate for her people who live in one of four countries containing Lake Chad, a vast freshwater wetland that shrunk in size almost 95% from 1963 to 1990. The vigil will also include music, silent reflect
Nov 15, 2025
We All Belong Here Campaign
Something very important to our focus on Interfaith action and awareness is the new campaign in Waterloo Region, “We All Belong Here.” This campaign is about addressing hate, harm and building a community where everyone feels safe to be their true selves and is celebrated for who they are. It has been two weeks since the campaign launched. Let’s keep the momentum going. Here’s how you can support the campaign: Learn more: Visit the campaign website ( webelongwr.ca ) to
Nov 15, 2025
Thousands of Nativities
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting an event the celebrates the spirit of the Christmas season: Thousands of Nativities – a special display of nativities of many sizes, styles, and cultures, taking place from November 20 to November 30, and hosted at the Walkerton Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11 Fourth Street, Walkerton, Ontario. This unique display of nativities is the result of collaboration and contribution by the memb
Nov 15, 2025
Combatting Hate: The 43rd World Religions Conference
Sunday, November 23, 2025 (12:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm) Lazaridis Hall Auditorium at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo Theme: Combatting Hate The 43rd World Religions Conference will be held this fall on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Lazaridis Hall at Wilfrid Laurier University. The conference has been organized in Canada since 1981. It has a long tradition for bringing together renowned scholars for a deep and thought-provoking exchange of ideas. The event aims to explore the tea
Oct 15, 2025
Waterloo CSWP launch the "We all belong here" campaign
You’re invited to the official launch of the We all belong here campaign— a community campaign designed in partnership with the Combatting Hate Action Table (CHAT) of the Community Safety Wellbeing Plan (CSWP). The campaign was developed in response to the ongoing rise in hate crimes and identity-based harm occurring in Waterloo region. It’s designed to raise awareness and encourage community members to take action to reduce hate and build belonging. The launch of
Oct 15, 2025
A multi-faith retreat centre
The Five Oaks Retreat Centre (near Paris, ON) is run by the United Church and welcomes all faiths.
Oct 15, 2025
Vital Signs Report
Vital Signs® is a community-driven data program that is led nationally by Community Foundations of Canada, and locally by community...
Sep 12, 2025
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