Outreach & Support
Over the years the Tree of Life Interfaith Temple has engaged in outreach, both locally and globally. Our most recent service projects have included a diaper drive, donations to SHARE, support for Ukrainian refugees through one of our ministers, and financial blessings to immigrants to the local area through an immigration attorney who is also a member. In previous years, we've donated to our local food pantries, sponsored programs through local interfaith groups and supported the Smile Train. Through the Gifts of Grace Foundation, started by our founder Rev. Dr. Stephanie Rutt, we created and donated over 300 quilts to local foster care children. You can read more about how to support some of our neighbors by clicking here. Below are some more examples and write-ups of our community outreach.
An Open Letter to Pope Francis - September 30, 2018
Your Holiness, Pope Francis,
I write today to humbly offer an idea for action I pray you may consider as you respond to the growing sexual abuse allegations arising in Catholic communities around the world today. Please know that while I do write, in particular, for all those still silent ones, the once helpless, innocent children who wake every morning remembering, I also write for the Priests who would run but cannot escape the hell burning within, and for the Bishops and Cardinals who daily face the relentless knowledge that they knew but turned away. You, kind soul, as Pope, are in the position to answer the silent cries, to shine a beacon of light, far and wide, into the darkest shadows of suffering where only the healing balm of the Holy Spirit can penetrate. Is this not what Jesus would do? read more...
Your Holiness, Pope Francis,
I write today to humbly offer an idea for action I pray you may consider as you respond to the growing sexual abuse allegations arising in Catholic communities around the world today. Please know that while I do write, in particular, for all those still silent ones, the once helpless, innocent children who wake every morning remembering, I also write for the Priests who would run but cannot escape the hell burning within, and for the Bishops and Cardinals who daily face the relentless knowledge that they knew but turned away. You, kind soul, as Pope, are in the position to answer the silent cries, to shine a beacon of light, far and wide, into the darkest shadows of suffering where only the healing balm of the Holy Spirit can penetrate. Is this not what Jesus would do? read more...
Interfaith temple expands on Milford Oval - August 26, 2018
MILFORD – The Rev. Dr. Stephanie Rutt looked as happy as a person could be. The founder and presiding minister of the Tree of Life Interfaith Temple was showing a visitor around the second floor of a building on the Milford Oval and and was all smiles. read more...
MILFORD – The Rev. Dr. Stephanie Rutt looked as happy as a person could be. The founder and presiding minister of the Tree of Life Interfaith Temple was showing a visitor around the second floor of a building on the Milford Oval and and was all smiles. read more...
Under One Sky: The Interfaith Peace Walk (2016 & 2017)
In late 2015, our founder, inspired by listening to Rev. Ilona Kwiecien, Class of 2013, reporting on her experience at the Parliament of World Religions, was compelled to sponsor an interfaith peace walk. She wrote, “Imagine just for a moment people from many faith traditions walking together in solidarity celebrating our common humanity and desire for peace while respecting religious differences. Imagine that peace could be found in unity, not uniformity. Imagine that religious inclusion, understanding and dialogue could spring from the steps of those willing to walk, demonstrating that peace across all faith traditions is possible. Yes! Imagine that we could come together, for one day, to demonstrate what is possible.”
Rev. Stephanie re-convened the then inactive Souhegan Valley Interfaith Council and with the help of the World Alliance of Interfaith Clergy (now called World Awake!) Board Chair, Fran Bagdasarian, guided the creation of the Walk which included participation and contributions from many local faith communities as well as from the community at large. The next year, Rev. Stephanie presented the organizational process developed at the World Alliance of Interfaith Clergy Conference as a template for other interfaith communities around the country to adopt.
In late 2015, our founder, inspired by listening to Rev. Ilona Kwiecien, Class of 2013, reporting on her experience at the Parliament of World Religions, was compelled to sponsor an interfaith peace walk. She wrote, “Imagine just for a moment people from many faith traditions walking together in solidarity celebrating our common humanity and desire for peace while respecting religious differences. Imagine that peace could be found in unity, not uniformity. Imagine that religious inclusion, understanding and dialogue could spring from the steps of those willing to walk, demonstrating that peace across all faith traditions is possible. Yes! Imagine that we could come together, for one day, to demonstrate what is possible.”
Rev. Stephanie re-convened the then inactive Souhegan Valley Interfaith Council and with the help of the World Alliance of Interfaith Clergy (now called World Awake!) Board Chair, Fran Bagdasarian, guided the creation of the Walk which included participation and contributions from many local faith communities as well as from the community at large. The next year, Rev. Stephanie presented the organizational process developed at the World Alliance of Interfaith Clergy Conference as a template for other interfaith communities around the country to adopt.
Celene Ibrahim Talk at the Milford Town Hall (2016)
In the midst of growing religious tensions and divisiveness, the Temple was pleased to sponsor Celene Ibrahim, our founder’s then professor of Muslim studies at Andover Newton Theology School (now a part of Yale Divinity). Many participants gathered in the Milford Town Hall representing a variety of faith traditions including people from Muslim faith communities in Nashua, Manchester and Concord. To gather together with our Muslim brothers and sisters, in particular, was a true blessing.
In the midst of growing religious tensions and divisiveness, the Temple was pleased to sponsor Celene Ibrahim, our founder’s then professor of Muslim studies at Andover Newton Theology School (now a part of Yale Divinity). Many participants gathered in the Milford Town Hall representing a variety of faith traditions including people from Muslim faith communities in Nashua, Manchester and Concord. To gather together with our Muslim brothers and sisters, in particular, was a true blessing.
Creating Peace: Interfaith Peace Panel (2013)
All faith traditions speak of peace. The Temple thought it would be a great community building opportunity, as well as a way to increase educational awareness, to invite faith leaders from local faith communities to be a part of a panel discussion sharing how their traditions create peace. We gathered at the Milford Town Hall to hear the panel of faith leaders speak and then engaged in a lively discussion in response to questions from the audience. We all came away with our initial belief confirmed: that, while practices differ, all traditions seek to promote individual, communal and global peace.
All faith traditions speak of peace. The Temple thought it would be a great community building opportunity, as well as a way to increase educational awareness, to invite faith leaders from local faith communities to be a part of a panel discussion sharing how their traditions create peace. We gathered at the Milford Town Hall to hear the panel of faith leaders speak and then engaged in a lively discussion in response to questions from the audience. We all came away with our initial belief confirmed: that, while practices differ, all traditions seek to promote individual, communal and global peace.
