Please consider making a New Year's year gift to IPP. The letter from our Board President Keith Eiken and the annual report that follows it will explain why our work is so important and why we need your help.

Please mail checks to Interfaith Paths to Peace, 425 South Second Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202. Thanks!

December 26, 2005

Dear Friend,

Interfaith Paths to Peace (IPP) has made great strides in the last year---not only in the number and quality of programs it offers, but also in the number and kinds of people we work with and serve. I am enclosing a copy of our 2004-2005 annual report so that you can see for yourself.

Here are five good reasons why you should invest in Interfaith Paths to Peace:

First, we are the only inter-religious organization in the area that has the word ‘Peace’ in our name. Our mission is to bring people of different religions together for dialogue, programming and events that help them to better know and understand each other.

Second, we have addressed many of humanity’s deepest concerns through our Vow of Non-Violence campaign (joined by over 800 people in 2005), our concert to aid victims of the tsunami, and 9 days of events marking the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Third, we have presented to the Louisville community at low or no charge such outstanding individuals as Matthew Fox (of Creation Spirituality), the Mayor of Hiroshima, Japan, John Seed, (co-creator with Joanna Macy of the Council of All Beings).

Fourth, IPP has cooperated with nearly 40 different organizations, churches, mosques, temples, governmental entities, universities and businesses in delivering over 100 programs and events in FY 2004-2005.

Fifth, we have offered programming on a nearly weekly basis throughout the year that addresses the full spectrum of human endeavors including art, film, music, lectures, meditation techniques, conferences, and workshops.

We need your help to keep moving forward at the same pace in serving the needs of the greater Louisville area. Please make a generous contribution today!

Thank you for helping us,



Keith P. Eiken
President of the Board
Interfaith Paths to Peace

P.S. If you need more reasons to give, check out our web site!
www.interfaithpathstopeace.org




Interfaith Paths to Peace
2004-2005 Annual Report
Submitted by Terry Taylor, IPP Executive Director

OUR MISSION

Working with faith communities and others with parallel interests
to educate, advocate, coordinate and empower the larger community
in support of peace, human rights, and justice through interfaith dialogue.



PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS


• Programs sponsored or co-sponsored by IPP served approximately 6,040 individuals from a wide variety of religious backgrounds in the greater Louisville area.
• IPP offered a one-day workshop for teenagers on Non-violence. This was done in co-operation with the Plymouth Community Center and under the direction of Board member Gerry Stribling.
• More than 800 persons have now taken the Vow of Non-Violence.
• IPP hosted a visit to Louisville in April by the Mayor of Hiroshima including a major presentation at the Memorial Auditorium. The event was co-sponsored by the Louisville Metro Mayor’s Office for International and Inter-cultural Affairs. The Mayor was also interviewed on WFPL radio’s State of Affairs program.
• IPP partnered with Cultivating Connections in April in sponsoring a three-day series of events with renowned spiritual leader Matt Fox. The events drew over 1,000 people. Dr. Fox was interviewed on WFPL’s State of Affairs program.
• IPP’s Memorial Day Celebration in May was its most successful in years and drew well over 100 people.
• In July IPP co-sponsored a “Council of All Beings” at Bernheim Forest with internationally renowned rain forest defender and spiritual leader John Seed.
• IPP co-hosted a Matt Fox-style Sacred Celebration at Christ Church Cathedral.
• Our summer film series with Dr. Linda Peeno was extremely successful. Each of the film events drew over 30 persons.
• IPP took the leadership role in presenting nine days of activities in August marking the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• In August IPP co-sponsored with the UN Association of Louisville a visit and several events featuring John





• Washburn, head of the key American NGO supporting the International Criminal Court. Mr. Washburn was featured on WFPL radio’s State of Affairs program.
• IPP presented Concerts for Contemplation featuring Harry Pickens at St. Williams Catholic Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and Cathedral of the Assumption.
• In September IPP co-sponsored a visit to Louisville by Bishop Djomo of the Congo, one of the leading humanitarian workers in Africa. Bishop Djomo spoke at Bellarmine University.
• In September IPP co-sponsored with the Cathedral Heritage Foundation the third annual Inter-religious Prayer Service at the Abbey of Gethsemani. It was attended by 330 persons.
• Our web site has been dramatically updated and revised.
• IPP published its first book, Putting Your Faith to Work: Practical Things You Need to Know about Getting Organized for Social Justice Work by Tom Louderback of the Louisville Friends Community.
• IPP hosted monthly meditation sessions featuring Zen teacher Richard Sisto.
• Mayor Abramson declared special days for non-violence (in January) and for Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembrance (in August).
• IPP co-hosted a film event with the Speed Museum in July.
• IPP hosted a visit in August by the chief inter-religious leader in Indonesia.
• IPP took part in an event honoring murder victims and their families.
• IPP took part in the Mayor’s International Festival in September.


BOARD HIGHLIGHTS


In 2004-2005 IPP added to its Board:


• Peter Anik
• Riffat Hassan
• Gray Henry Blakemore
• Mark Isaacs
• Bashar Masri
• Mary Nancy Todd
• Dr. Linda Peeno
• Fr. George Kilcourse





IPP PARTNERED WITH:



The Kentucky Council of Churches
The Archdiocese of Louisville
The Islamic Cultural Center
The Jewish Federation of Louisville
The Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky
The U.N. Association of Louisville
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
The Thomas Merton Center t Bellarmine University
Unity of Louisville
The Louisville International Cultural Center
The Public Radio Partnership
James Lees Presbyterian Church
The Baha’i Community of Louisville
The Louisville Metro Mayor’s Office for International Cultural Affairs
Cultivating Connections
10,000 Buddhas Summit Monastery
Bernheim Forest
Carmichaels Bookstores
Center for Faith and Action
Clifton Unitarian Church
Epiphany Catholic Church
Full Moon Yoga
Orbis Yoga Center
The Cathedral Heritage Foundation
The Kentuckiana Interfaith Community
The Abbey of Gethsemani
Rainbow Blossom Whole Foods
Leadership Louisville
Louisville Metro United Way
St. William Catholic Church
First Unitarian Church
St. Andrew Episcopal Church Episcopal Church of the Advent
Christ Church Cathedral
First Unitarian Church
St. Francis High School
The Cathedral of the Assumption
Pax Christi Louisville
FOR Louisville
Episcopal Peace Fellowship
CARR
M.I.N.D.S.





BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS


• IPP ended the year in the black.
• IPP exceeded its income goal.
• IPP raised more than $9,000 for Tsunami relief.
• IPP exceeded its goal for grants.
• IPP met its goal for membership dollars.
• IPP exceeded its goal for donations
• IPP raised over $1,300 for next year’s Hiroshima events.