Contributed by Andra Baylus, Regional Director of the Meher Baba Spiritual Community
The First Amendment creates the very space upon which Tysons Interfaith and other interfaith organizations function as we go about the business of interfaith bridge building to create opportunities for spiritual connection, learn about different faith traditions and serve others who are part of one human family.
It is especially meaningful to be reminded of the First Amendment as we approach the installation of our new administration whose governance agenda will be bound, by law, to uphold the tenets expressed within the First Amendment guaranteeing religious freedom for all faith traditions.
The following thoughts about Religious Freedom Day, shared with me by a friend, should be a source of comfort –that the First Amendment of our Constitution will ensure the success of future interfaith bridge building activities and protect the religious freedoms of all citizens of the United States:
Honoring All Paths
National Religious Freedom Day – January 16 – is a time to remember and praise the tenets of liberty, equality, and dignity for everyone. That freedom is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution, adopted in 1791, which says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Inherent in our celebration of religious freedom, is the right to also live with freedom of speech, of the press, and the freedom of assembly.
To restrict these freedoms is to undermine the equality, dignity, and respect of our brothers and sisters. Religious freedom makes it possible – and even legal – to publicly honor all faiths, to draw wisdom from diverse spiritual paths. In essence, the New Thought philosophy – and the teaching of it – would not have been allowed without the guarantee of this freedom.
The groundwork for this liberty was established in the 17th century when thousands of Catholics, Puritans, and other religious freethinkers were facing harassment and persecution by the Church of England, which sought to inaugurate itself as the mandatory religion of the nation. The dissenters, who vowed to not be bound by these conditions, showed great dedication and courage in boarding ships for the “New World.”
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Susan Posey, Redeemer Lutheran, McLean
Like many Americans, I was very invested in the Presidential election. I felt that the stakes were very high. People in my family and some life-long friends did not support the candidate I did. I struggled to wrap my head around this. How could these good people, with whom I knew I shared values, come to such a starkly different conclusion about the direction our country should take? And I’m sure they must have wondered the same thing about me!
Is it possible to even talk to these people I love about any of this? And how do I find my footing when I feel like the earth beneath my feet is shifting?
A couple of things are helping me process all of this: talking with trusted friends and family; staying informed and active in my community; turning to faith and prayer. It is the third point that I wish to highlight.
Many people of all faith traditions– even people who do not necessarily consider themselves “religious” or spiritual — start their days with a moment of prayer or meditation. An App that I use is called d365. Primarily geared for students, it features commentary on scriptures that I will hear in church the coming Sunday as part of the Common Lectionary.
I am a Christian and a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean. It is at church in the weeks since the election that I have been inspired and challenged by our Pastor, Sandy Kessinger, who bases her sermons on the scripture passages of the week. Here are a few excerpted/paraphrased nuggets from these sermons, obviously given from the Christian perspective, but which may be of encouragement to people of all faith traditions:
October 27: God is Our Refuge and Strength
What is the meaning of life? It should come as no surprise that my answer is God. At the end of the day, God is the one who gives our lives meaning. We can certainly live our lives apart from God, but it is a much more difficult path to follow.
We live in a world of uncertainty, where troubles seem to surround us from every direction. Psalm 46 offers comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that God is always with us.
If I had to choose my confirmation verse today it would be Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God!” When I have my doubts about the meaning of life and my purpose in this world, it is this verse that brings me back to God. It gives me the deep security I need that an all-powerful God is with me (and for me) no matter what happens in this world or in our lives.
November 10: Her Whole Life
God sees and God cares.
It is good news indeed that God sees our struggles, recognizes our challenges, and cares about us deeply. But even more, God is inviting us to look around and see each other (those in our community and those we do not know). And I mean to really see each other – the pain of those who are discriminated against, the desolation of those who cannot find work, the despair of those who lost hope.
God is inviting us to see them, to care for them, and to advocate for a system that does not leave anybody behind. God cares and God invites us to care as well. God believes that we have something to contribute, that we can make a difference, that our words and actions can help bring more fully into fruition the kingdom of God.
November 17: Do Not Be Led Astray
Time and time again we read in the Bible the words: “Do not be afraid for I am with you.”
Our lessons remind us that we are not alone in our fearful response to what we perceive as frightening and world-altering events in our own time. But then we hear the words of Jesus: “Do not be alarmed. Do not be afraid for I am with you.”
We keep our eyes on Jesus. We stay alert and remain watchful. We are not to let the widows, orphans, and others on the margins suffer. We are not to go off and wring our hands in despair, reacting to every post that crosses our screen. We are to be the people of God and be about the business of God in this world – right here and right now.
Now more than ever we need people to hear the good news and need to help people find communities of faith where they are welcome, where they can come just as they are. Now more than ever we need to sing songs of joy and hope and to act with courage and conviction.
November 24: What is Truth?
What is truth? It is a serious question. Many loud voices are calling us to heed to their “truth” which makes seeking the truth increasingly difficult these days. We try to look to those who are considered to be experts in their field but even then we are apt to receive conflicting results.
We, as Christians, hold certain things to be true and we are not to bend from these truths when challenged. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth and meant it to all be good. We believe that God created us in his image and made us stewards over his creation. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died and rose again to save and redeem us. We believe we are saved by grace through faith and not by the works of the law.
And because we believe these things, it helps us then to make good and right moral decisions: We must love our neighbors.
….Jesus said that he came into this world to witness to the truth, the truth that God is love. So how, then can we reflect that truth to others?
For those who want more than theory today, I offer a practical list:
We are called to value all people. Grounded in God’s love we start by valuing ourselves and seeing ourselves through the lens of God.
We are called to hang out with people who may not sound like us and who may not agree with us. Jesus has a saying that our faith is not characterized by how deeply we love our friends. Our faith is characterized by how deeply we love our enemies.
We are called to remember that truth and love are bound together in hope. We are called to remember to be the church – keep confessing. Stay accountable. Take responsibility. Stop blaming. Keep hoping. Listen, and above all, keep loving. We (and everyone around us) will benefit.
By turning to God, I am beginning to find my footing again after the election. I want to be in relationship with people who voted differently than me, and to have a say in the future direction of our country. I will endeavor in all my interactions to speak truth as I see it in love. I won’t always get it right, but I am grateful for my faith, my church community, and for my extended family of believers at Tysons Interfaith – who inspire me and help me navigate every day.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by: Lois Herr — First Church of Christ, Scientist, McLean
Many people set aside time in their day for prayer, reflection, or meditation. As a Christian Science practitioner, I often find inspiration in daily audio reflections, called the Daily Lift, and presented by members of our church.
A recent timely Daily Lift by Nhung McLeland from Newton, Massachusetts, is entitled, “Free of Mental Turmoil at Election Time.” In this segment, Nhung shares about her anxiety during election years, comparing what she is was experiencing to an item being tossed about in her washing machine in dirty water! A realization that she can entrust all to God provided her relief and peace.
The Daily Lift is comprised of audio presentations contributed by Christian Science church members worldwide – with the majority coming from the U.S. This particular Lift will remain on the website for thirty days before being retired.
May this segment bring you peace and encouragement.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Trish Hall, Center for Spiritual Living, Metro
As the daily news bombards us with images of war and natural disasters, and anxiety attendant to the upcoming Presidential election swirls around us, I invite you to take a moment to consider the following blessing that I shared at a recent interfaith gathering. I believe this benediction lifts up the values so many of us share, and I hope brings you a renewed sense of purpose and peace.
Gathered as our varied faiths, we share our deepest hope to be of service to a transforming world and our common dream of:
- Homes and schools where children thrive,
- Neighborhoods that are safe and clean,
- Cities rich in colors and cultures,
- An economy where no one is expendable,
- A beloved community where all people have the
opportunity for a dignified and productive life; and - A community in which all churches, mosques, synagogues, spiritual centers and temples are respected essential members
We give thanks for the blessings of the world community and turn our thoughts toward peace and inclusiveness as we dedicate our hearts and hands to unconditional love and commit to creating and sustaining thriving inclusive and peaceful communities, now.
Salaam, Shalom, Namasté, Ashanti, Amen and So it is.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal
As much as some might disparage public broadcasting, the BBC provides a wonderful service allowing members of the British faith community to share their thoughts.
I was reminded of this over the weekend when the BBC “Thought For the Day” covered the latest developments in what some call empathy education. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/
In fact, when I looked online, I noticed that the word empathy appears quite frequently in BBC podcasts from religious leaders of all backgrounds.
In this particular podcast, the presenter (the Reverend Dr. Rob Marshall) made the point that empathy has a spiritual as well as a physical and mental dimension. While his point was directed at developments in elementary education, it also has a broader application. Too many of us find it very difficult to empathize with people who have starkly different points of view.
As we head into an election season in a very polarized society it is especially important for us to think about how best we can empathize with people who hold vastly different points of view from ours. Please join us at Tyson’s Interfaith on October 6th when we talk about these issues with professor Al Fuertes of George Mason University, who will discuss how spirituality can help us overcome our differences and be more empathetic toward people holding different points of views.
To learn more about and to register for the Tysons Interfaith/George Mason University October 6 event, please visit: LINK.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by: David Joyner, Britepaths
Britepaths is a Tyson’s area non-profit that develops sustainable solutions to stabilize low-income working families, builds resilience through financial literacy and mentoring, and provides seasonal support to families in need.
A critically important service Britepaths provides for struggling Fairfax County neighbors is the Emergency Food Support program.
Every donation, whether monetary or in the form of a gift card, directly assists individuals and families facing temporary crises by providing them with necessary household and personal hygiene products and a gift card for groceries. This crucial support allows recipients to purchase essential groceries and find relief during their challenging times, allowing them to focus on stabilizing their situation. Each contribution ensures that we can continue to provide timely assistance to those experiencing hardship in our community
Client Quote: “Good afternoon, the reason for writing is to thank you endlessly for all your help for my family with those gift cards for food purchases. It helped me a lot to solve my economic situation in purchases since I am a single mother with 3 daughters and two grandchildren, and I appreciate it very much for such valuable help for my family. From our God, we wish you to receive many blessings and that it is he who always guides and enlightens them to continue with such beautiful work. The gift cards helped a lot to alleviate my expenses and improve my economic situation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Britepaths’ 40th Anniversary Gala: We invite you to join us for an inspiring evening of community spirit and philanthropy at Britepaths’ 40th Anniversary Gala! Celebrating four decades of offering vital support to Northern Virginia residents in crisis, this milestone event honors Britepaths’ commitment to stabilize families, foster personal empowerment, and support the needs of children.
Scheduled for Friday, September 20 at 6 p.m. at Westfield Marriot Washington Dulles, the theme “Stronger Today, Brighter Tomorrow” reflects Britepaths’ journey of hope and empowerment. The gala will feature a captivating program with heartfelt testimonials from those whose lives have been transformed by Britepaths. Your presence and generosity will help Britepaths continue fostering stability and resilience in our community. Let’s come together to reflect on Britepaths’ journey and envision an even brighter future, visit britepaths.org/40gala.”
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by: Susan Posey, Redeemer Lutheran
“Be Imitators of God” was the title of our Pastor’s recent sermon. My thought was, “Well, that’s a pretty tall order – exactly how are we to do that?” Pastor Sandy Kessinger’s sermon was based on Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2. What are these instructions and how do they apply to the here and now when many of us are overwhelmed by current events and simply cannot understand the political views of some of our friends, neighbors and family members?
Is feeling anger ever appropriate? Yes! Pastor Kessinger’s take is that, “It is the emotion that kicks in when we fight injustice or unfairness, when we need to defend our rights or the rights of others.” She goes on to say that it is what we do with our anger that makes it either destructive or instructive. According to Paul, we are to, “speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.” (Ephesians 4: 25-27). Our challenge, according to Pastor Kessinger, is to “express our needs in such a way that we show respect to others and ourselves.” “We are not to tell lies but always speak the truth in love. It is okay to be angry but we are not to let our anger linger or turn into sin.”
And if that is not challenge enough, Pastor Kessinger went on to say:
“On the heels of dealing with anger in good and healthy ways, we hear the call to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving. I believe it is that element of forgiveness that helps to distinguish us from others. We are to forgive each other as God forgives us. We are to love each other as God loves us. We are to lead selfless, God-pleasing lives. It is in these ways that we stand in union with the grace-filled activity of God. It is in these ways that we are imitators of God. We are all created to be like God so let that light shine for the world to see.”
All of Ephesians Chapter 4, Pastor Kessinger surmises, is Paul making the point that who we are is reflected in what we do. “Simply put, Paul says, we are to be imitators of God.”
On October 6, Tysons Interfaith will partner with Dr. Al Fuertes of George Mason to present a webinar discussion about how our spiritual side or our religious traditions can help us bridge emotional divisions. I hope many will join us for this timely and important conversation. In the meantime, Pastor Kessinger’s commentary on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is an example of one Christian community’s take on how to handle today’s difficult conversations. For me, this message is a great source of instruction, inspiration and hope for the future. I hope it is for you as well.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed By: Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal
Earlier this summer, I was blessed to attend a reunion on the Eastern Shore. Unfortunately, while there, I got into two heated conversations about politics—one with the husband of a friend of 60 years and the other with a total stranger in a bar. While I was away, I missed the wise words of our Deacon in training from the pulpit. You can read the full text of her message HERE. And, upon returning, I received in my inbox a wonderful podcast interview with Krista Tibbit that was hosted by Sarah Jones and offers a hopeful way to approach these difficult conversations. (It’s entitled: “Are You There God with Krista Tippet.” A link to the recording and transcript can be found HERE.)
Our Deacon, Mary Cushing, offers practical advice. We should “recognize that every single person we encounter is a beloved child of God, even the person who most raises our political hackles. That doesn’t mean we can’t disagree. It doesn’t mean that we need to be silent. What it does mean is that the way we engage needs to be the way of Jesus: the way of love….extending others some grace. In non-church-y words, that means giving them the benefit of the doubt. People in ‘the other’ political camp probably aren’t loony or brainwashed. For the most part, they arrived at their positions the same way ‘we’ did, by a thoughtful process.”
Krista observes: “[I]f we can overcome our very unreasonable desire that people be simple, and we can just decide their one thing or the other and dismiss them or call them our friend, then we could say, okay, you believe this one thing that really feels, can even feel harmful to my identity and harmful to our world. And yet here’s this thing that we are both passionate about, that is good for our world. Can we at least be in conversation or even some kind of partnership around that?”
We at Tysons Interfaith are working with Dr. Al Fuertes of George Mason University on a webinar to be held October 6, right in the middle of a heated election season, to talk about how our spiritual side or our religious traditions can help bridge these emotional divisions. Please put this date on your calendar and join us in conversation.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Michael Goldberg, the Baha’i Community
In 1945, delegates from all over the world met in San Francisco to establish the United Nations. On May 19, they traveled to Muir Woods to honor the memory of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
President Roosevelt believed in the value of national parks as sources of inspiration and human renewal. He also believed that good forestry practices and sustainable development of natural resources were keystones to lasting peace around the world.
Organizers of the event hoped that the profound beauty and serenity of Muir Woods would inspire the delegates to pursue the president’s program for world peace.
Dag Hammarskjold, Secretary-General of the United Nations upon visiting Muir Woods in 1955 said, “Persons who love nature find a common basis for understanding people of other countries, since the love of nature is universal among men of all nations”.
We live in a polarized society with news and social media playing on our lower nature, causing feelings of anger and divisiveness. This is not healthy for our physical and spiritual well-being. If you turn your attention to the things that unite us, you will find yourself more tranquil and calm.
Connecting with nature can bring countless benefits. It can inspire questions about our purpose, our earthly existence. We experience awe and wonder at the beauty, magnificence and complexity of creation. Being in nature or even viewing scenes of nature reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. It gives you a sense of connection to something bigger than yourself. Countless studies have shown that nature has many therapeutic benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. Nature can make people feel more energized and less stressed while also increasing levels of happiness.
Communing with nature is not very complicated. You only have to go outdoors and attune yourself to the abundant life already there waiting for you. Treat yourself to happiness. You deserve it.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
By Yerusalem Work
You stood castle-high, singing on the midnight-moonlit balcony
Your voice reached across the vast, star-scattered skies
Tears poured from my eyes
You left a palace to address the issue of contentment
You gave us light—a messenger of the messengers
My thoughts took flight
The height of a hummingbird, the rhythm complete with hope inside me
You elevate me
I face you and my soul smiles,
the kiss of peace greeting you with solemnity
In a labyrinth of faith-filled promises,
I push against the walls of fear and regret.
I travel with poetry as my guide.
You illuminate the day and night
with your heart’s meditation
The fire you put in me makes me rise to my feet–
I see shadows repeat in a cave of my doing,
but nothing can compare to your presence
Only now can I breathe
with depth and freedom,
only now do I discover the unveiling of life, the mystery of being
Through love,
I become human
Through prayer,
I experience divine union and
the absence of time.
You, the cliff’s edge, are sublime.
You, a decorated hero, are the friend I find by the riverside.
Dipping in our consciousness…never the same feeling twice.
Happiness. Lovingkindness.
Splashing in knowledge, refreshing, an awakening,
I ask you to dream with me and carry me with you through our journey.
I am a butterfly alight on your shoulder.
Graceful movement. Grateful conclusions.
Reading into you. I believe in forgotten truths.
I pray the Lord heals me and you.
After terrible loss,
having a hand to hold is proof of God’s mercy.
I am on my knees and only He can hear me.
Who truly knows me?
To hear the author read this poem, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/100004823402356/posts
Yerusalem Work, a creative writer and the membership director of the Congregational Library Association, has a heart for interfaith dialogue and is a passionate community builder. A holder of a master’s degree in library science and prolific author, she regularly blogs and self-publishes her writing. Her short stories and poetry have been published in Muslim Matters and Tysons Interfaith. She considers it an honor and a pleasure to write on Islamic themes.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.