Bible school goes interfaith

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

•	At St. Andrew's World Peace Village vacation Bible school for 25 children, ages 5 to 12 (teens may be helpers) St. Andrew's Cathedral 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 9 to 13 $50 (scholarships available) 524-2822

Like the word "aloha," it has plenty of nuance and no true translation, but here's a shot: We are interconnected, what I do reflects on you, what you do is connected to someone else. We are all related.

"When my great hero, Bishop (Desmond) Tutu, says it, he really embraces it. U BUN tu," Wallace says, pumping her fist in the air.

What Wallace learned in her trip as part of a delegation of Episcopal Relief and Development helped fuel her to arrange events for the upcoming AIDS Day in December — and to bring a message of peace and hope to her own part of the world through the cathedral's upcoming vacation Bible school, an unusual take on the average summertime program.

World Peace Village will be an interfaith approach to world religions, giving children a weeklong exposure to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, open to Episcopalian keiki as well as children of other faiths. Adults and teens often help out, Wallace said, just for fun.

The timing is also expected to shine a spotlight on tolerance in this uneasy time of war.

"What happens in time of war is we tend to simplify, and vilify people who are not like us," said Wallace. "Because children are sponges, they're most vulnerable to this kind of brainwashing. (We hope) to plant the idea that all major religions espouse peace as an ideal — and all fall short, including our own."

There will be "learning stations" set up with tangible relics of each religion: sacred objects, the holy texts, symbols, prayer beads, etc.

"Children will have a chance to touch and feel (the faith)," she said, as well as read about the tradition, say a prayer of peace, learn a word for peace from each spiritual tradition and make a spiritual practice from each tradition.

Wallace is also arranging field trips to various places of worship.

The last day of the summer program coincides with Admission Day, a state holiday. Families will be invited to join in special activities, including a potluck lunch.