By now, our loyal blog readers know that the Festival of Faiths will take place November 14-18, 2012. What you may not be aware of are the several Festival of Faiths-sponsored pre-Festival events scheduled the weekend prior to the Festival itself.

See the Festival of Faiths website for more information and to register for these events.

November 10: Sweat Lodge Ceremony
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location, TBD
This Sacred Sweat Lodge Ceremony, or “Inipi Wakan”, is from the Lakota Sioux tradition and is one of the oldest rituals in North America. This is a purification and balance of body, mind, spirit and emotions. It is a prayer circle, a healing circle and a transformation of the Old Self into the New Self. Additional information in preparation for the Ceremony will be provided upon registration. This ceremony is freely offered to all who participate. Donations are gratefully accepted and serve as a gift of appreciation to the Ceremony Leader.

November 10: Youth Program at Cedar Ridge
6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cedar Ridge Camp
4010 Old Routt Road, Louisville, Kentucky
Middle school and high school youth are invited to this relaxing and fun evening at one of Louisville’s best outdoor recreational areas. Hayrides, storytelling, music and food will highlight the evening. The event is open to denominational and non-denominational youth groups. All youth groups attending must be accompanied by their youth minister, director or designated chaperon.

November 11: Choral Evensong
4 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral
421 South Second Street, Louisville, Kentucky
An evensong, or evening prayer, is in use with the Anglican tradition and features sacred readings and music. The sacred music for the evensong will be provided by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir accompanied by a harpsichord, which was donated by Christina Lee Brown in memory of the late Owsley Brown II.

November 11: Seder of Sacred Fire
6 p.m.
The Temple Klein Center
5101 U.S. Highway 42, Louisville, Kentucky
The Seder for Sacred Fire is an environmentally inspired Seder which will emphasize the images of light and compassion in the Bible and in Jewish Worship in coordination with the this year’s theme for the Festival of Faiths. Seder meals are traditionally observed on Passover and for the Festival of Trees at the end of winter. This special Seder, created as part of the community-wide Festival of Faiths, is not a full meal, but incorporates the “sweets of the earth” – fruit, nuts, and chocolate, as well as soup and bread. Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport and Rabbi Gaylia R. Rooks will lead this participatory event; all will be taking part in the prayers, poems and songs of the Seder. Children are welcome to attend.