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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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March 2026 Newsletter
If you missed our March 2026 newsletter, you can check it out at the link below:
Mar 20
Thinking in Lyrics (March)
by Jan Hansen I often find myself thinking in song lyrics. This is one in a series of short articles about some songs and a few of the thoughts that they prompt in me. None of these songs were written for a faith-based setting, but all of them have some elements that relate to faith, philosophy, or world view. Loster (Tom Felton) Hope is a hard thing to grasp. Often it isn’t based on anything but a feeling. Faith can be the same way. But the wonder of both hope and faith is
Mar 20
Musical Celebration of Easter
The Kitchener Ontario Stake Choir of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites all to its musical celebration of Easter, happening on Palm Sunday (March 29) evening at the Kitchener Stake Centre, 1250 Strasburg Rd. (at Bleams) in Kitchener. Admission is free. The choir, under the direction of Marhee Clifton, and other ensembles will perform a variety of Easter favourites including “I Heard Him Come,” “Via Dolorosa,” “Scenes from Gethsemane,” “Pie Jesu,” and Viv
Mar 19
Call for participants: Places of Worship as Third Places
Understanding the role of faith-based institutions in the City of Waterloo. Exploring how faith communities support connection, services, and belonging in our city. Undergraduate students from the Global Studies Department at Wilfrid Laurier University are conducting research in collaboration with the City of Waterloo. This project is part of the course Social Innovations in the City (GS/SE 364). The team is researching how places of worship function as community "third spac
Mar 18
Jewish Learning Series: The Union Kommando, presented by Jake Sivak
Temple Shalom Lifelong Learning invites you to The Union Kommando: The Story of an Ammunition Factory in the Heart of Auschwitz Sat. April 11th, 2026 Following service & Oneg (approx. 12:30pm) Presented by Jacob Sivak Jacob Sivak, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, is a retired professor with a long career as a teacher and researcher in the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo. Since retiring, he has published many articles and made several in pe
Mar 18
Screening of "From Earth to Sky"
Thursday March 26 7:00 pm at Zion United Church 215 Peel St New Hamburg The Wilmot Indigenous Relations Working Group will host the film From Earth to Sky -- an invitation to explore the story of unique and accomplished Indigenous architects as they design and complete extraordinary buildings in communities across North America and Turtle Island. There is no charge. Donations to support WIRIWG expenses are appreciated.
Mar 18
Save the Date: Interfaith Service at GRU
April 12, 2026 Interfaith Service at Grand River Unitarian Mark your calendars!
Mar 18
March 29: Tea & Tales at GRU
MARCH 29: TEA AND TALES AFTER THE SERVICE (approximately 11:45 a.m.) Grand River Unitarian Congregation welcomes all to this special service. It is located at 299 Sydney St. South, Kitchener. Free parking is available. Connecting from the heart. We're in for a treat March 29. Mark your calendars for a combined educational and social event. The service will feature special guests Fauzia Mazhar and the Coalition of Muslim Women of KW and will be followed by Tea and Tales. This
Mar 18
IGR Members are invited to a Leadership Breakfast with the Hon. Jason Kenney
The Centre for Public Ethics at Martin Luther University College is pleased to announce a special Leadership Breakfast on March 27, 2026, on the topic of Faith and Public Life featuring the Hon. Jason Kenney. The Hon. Jason Kenney recently concluded a 25‑year career in public service. First elected to Parliament in 1997, he served in senior opposition roles and held a number of major cabinet portfolios in the Harper Government. He subsequently served as Alberta’s 18th Premier
Mar 18
SiNG in SOLIDARITY
Sunday, March 22 4 - 5 pm Trillium Lutheran Church, 22 Willow Street, Waterloo Feeling anxious or powerless? Unsure of how to respond to increased intolerance towards our neighbours, both near and far? Are you looking for a way to respond to cultural division with LOVE and INCLUSION? Come and use your voice! Inspired by the Singing Resistance movement in Minneapolis, citizens from all walks of life are invited to SING IN SOLIDARITY on March 22, 4 pm. We will be learning song
Mar 18
February 2026 Newsletter
If you missed our February 2026 newsletter, you can check it out at the link below:
Feb 25
Thinking in Lyrics (February)
by Jan Hansen I often find myself thinking in song lyrics. This is one in a series of short articles about some songs and a few of the thoughts that they prompt in me. None of these songs were written for a faith-based setting, but all of them have some elements that relate to faith, philosophy, or world view. Ain’t No Sunshine (Bill Withers) Initially, I understood this song to be from the perspective of a person who couldn’t accept that his partner had left him and is so
Feb 25
"Do Not Be Daunted" - Save the Date & Article
SAVE THE DATE! Interfaith Grand River’s 2026 Interfaith Community Breakfast will take place on Wednesday, May 20. More details, including how and where to purchase tickets, will be coming soon. In the meantime, please save the date. The theme of this year’s breakfast is “Do Not Be Daunted,” reflecting and celebrating the faith and courage required for individuals who set out to make a difference to their communities. In this regard, we’d like to share this article publish
Feb 12
Tiny Home Takeout Turns 5!
Learn more about Tiny Home Takeout, or make a donation here .
Feb 12
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
January 2026 Newsletter
If you missed our January 2026 newsletter, you can check it out at the link below:
Jan 22
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