Thursday 17 January 2019

The Spirituality Network Living Faith Awards

By Helen Walker


When hearing the terms spiritual and religious, most people believe these are two distinctly different things. However, there is a Christian based Spirituality Network now operating out of Columbus, Ohio. Unlike some other Christian based programs, the network is focused on acceptance and inclusion. As such, the primary goal of the program lies in providing a number of resources which will promote spiritual growth of those in the network and the community at large.

The organization recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the network. In doing so, the group reconfirmed the commitment to awaken lives whom can transform the world, ground in the source of all creation and promote the contemplative life through community action and activities. As such, the message of acceptance and inclusion is not taken lightly by the organization or those involved in these and other ministries.

In believing in a God whose love is unconditional, drawing each person into a relationship with God through human relationships and circumstances and living a healthy lifestyle with an ongoing relationship with the Creator, self and all creation, that people will also be drawn to help others. In addition, those following this belief system must also have a life rooted in nonviolence, prayer and a radical passion to change the world for the better.

Some of the resources the network provides are education, formation through the Wellstreams Program, spiritual direction referrals for individuals and groups, facilitating and planning spiritual retreats while offering programs which foster a spiritual life, include professional enrichment and care for others.

While most religious organizations cater to people of specific belief systems and faiths, the Spiritual Network is open to all people regardless of such affiliation. Also, as the group is an official 501(c)3 organization, all donations to the organization by members and others are tax deductible. As such, the organization is very popular among the LGBTQ+ community as well as those whom identify as people of color and various ethnic groups.

One program the organization provides is the Living Faith Awards. The awards recognize outstanding work in a number of different fields of community service. Recipients of the Living Faith Award often contribute to the community by visiting prisoners and the sick and dying while providing shelter for the homeless and feeding the hungry.

Other awards are also distributed at an annual ceremony held on annual basis. These awards include awards based on community service in the areas of multi-culturalism and Interfaith practices, an award for youth between 18 and 30 whom have shown great promise in working toward changing the world for the better in the future, a social justice award for those whom have participated in various social justice programs during the past twelve months and the Living Faith Award for those whom have contributed the most to the organization and local community over the last year.

Each year, there is a call for nominations. In order for a person to be nominated, the individual must promote peacemaking in all areas of life, visit the imprisoned and sick, give shelter to the homeless and feed the hungry, caring for the earth and all creation, loving neighbors as oneself and bring local communities together for the common good.




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