As we approach Holy Days in the Baha’i faith, we invite you to enjoy this repost of a blog from last spring:
Probably many people know that Easter and Passover occur in the spring, but spring is also a time of sacred observation for people of the Baha’i Faith.
March 20- 21 are the Baha’i Holy Days of Naw-Ruz, the Baha’i New Year.
Naw-Ruz coincides with the spring equinox and is an ancient Persian festival celebrating the “new day.” For Baha’is it marks the end of the annual nineteen-day fast and is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended, and children are exempted from attending school.
Also in the spring is the Festival of Ridvan. This annual Baha’i festival commemorates the twelve days when Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, publicly proclaimed His mission as God’s messenger for this age. Elections for local, national, and international Baha’i institutions are generally held during the Festival of Ridvan. The first day (April 20 or 21), the ninth day (April 28 or 28), and the twelfth day (May 1 or 2) are celebrated as holy days when work is suspended, and children are exempted from attending school.
To learn more about the Baha’i Faith, please visit: https://www.bahai.org/
Next to Chanukah, Purim is probably the holiday to which Jewish children can most relate. There are costumes, carnivals and Hamentaschen (preserve filled cookies in the shape of a triangle). When the story is told, they get to make lots and lots of noise with groggers (twirling noise makers) in hand. But surely there is more to the holiday than that.
In the Hebrew bible, in Kethuvim (the Writings), appears the Book of Esther or Megillat Esther. In this short book, the story is related about a Persian king, who by historic timing might have been Xerxes I or Artaxerxes I. His first wife has the audacity to disobey him and she is banished. A call is put forth for a new wife and fair women from throughout the kingdom vie for this opportunity. Among them is Esther, a Jew. She wins the contest, but never reveals her background.
Concurrent with the wife plot is the plot of Haman who hates the Jews. Like generations before and after him, he couches his hatred by saying “There is a certain people, scattered and dispersed among the other peoples in all the provinces in your realm, whose laws are different from those of any other people and who do not obey the king’s laws; and it is not in Your Majesty’s interest to tolerate them”. (Esther 3:8).
Esther, from her position within, takes the risk of revealing her Jewishness to the king, and then exposes Haman’s plan to destroy her and her people. The king cancels Haman’s plans and Haman is executed.
Purim, like Chanukah, is traditionally viewed as a minor festival, but elevated to major holiday status as a result of the Jewish historical experience. Over the centuries, Haman became the embodiment of every antisemitic leader in every land where Jews were oppressed. The significance of Purim lies not so much in how it began, but in what it has become: a thankful and joyous affirmation of Jewish survival against all odds.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Looking for ways to help the Ukrainian people? The consensus is that cash donations made to organizations working on the ground is the best way to help.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, and Tysons Interfaith cannot endorse any particular group, but the following links may be of assistance as you consider your options:
- The US Agency for International Development (USAID) provides a list of organizations responding in Ukraine: https://www.cidi.org/disaster-responses/ukraine-crisis/
- This NPR piece highlights a few organizations providing assistance: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/25/1082992947/ukraine-support-help
- The US State Department has partnered with GoFundMe to raise funds to address the humanitarian needs of the people affected by the Russian aggression against Ukraine. All donations raised will be distributed to verified nonprofit organizations supporting vulnerable communities to obtain access to shelter, food, medical services, education, and psychosocial support, as well as other people impacted https://www.gofundme.com/f/ukraine-humanitarian-fund
- St Andrew Ukranian Orthodox Cathedral in DC is collecting medical supplies and other items through an Amazon wishlist that they are distributing to people on the ground in Ukraine. MOST IMPORTANT THINGS NEEDED: Medical Supply (bandaids, Neosporin, ibuprofen, etc). NO LIQUIDS, NO BATTERIES, NO CLOTHING, NO MILITARY COMBAT EQUIPMENT, NO DIAPERS. Order on amazon and/or deliver to: 15100 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20905 Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2ADMR0OG6MBVX?ref=cm_sw_sm_r_un_un_m4ZOH13VxHHyO
- World Central Kitchen, founded by Chef José Andrés, is responding: https://wck.org/
- Lutheran World Relief is working in Eastern Europe: https://donate.lwr.org/give/393187
- Episcopal Relief and Development has established a Ukraine Crisis Response, Fund, working with organizations on the ground in Europe: https://support.episcopalrelief.org/ukraineresponse
Finally, people of good will of different faith traditions are joining together to call for peace in the region. An example of this united voice can be found here: https://elca.org/News-and-Events/8131
Many people from the great variety of spiritual practices like to start their days with a few moments of prayer, reflection, or meditation. In our busy and sometimes challenging lives this is an intentional act. We carve out a few moments to help start the day feeling grounded, supported and well – loved and opened to the possibilities that each day brings.
For some people, this can be in the form of reading from a well-worn book on a bed-side table; for others, it is commentary on sacred text or uplifting thoughts delivered via an App, a Podcast or an email subscription that lands in one’s in-box, to be savored over a cup of coffee. Many faith traditions offer these reflections in one form or another.
One such resource is the Daily Lift, presented by the Christian Science church. The Daily Lifts are audio presentations contributed by church members worldwide – with the majority coming from the U.S. These individuals share inspiration that has come to them on a whole variety of subjects. The daily audio offerings remain on the website for thirty days before being retired.
The March 7 Daily Lift, entitled God is Here focuses on the author’s thoughts on the nature of God, the reliability of prayer and the comfort that can be found by turning our fears over to God.
May this segment bring you peace and encouragement for the road ahead.
While serving at a church in Pennsylvania, I got stuck at a light on my way to the joint Ash Wednesday worship with the neighboring Episcopal Church. And I mean stuck. As the stop lights cycled multiple times through for everyone else, the light in my lane remained red. Just as I was about to do something I shouldn’t, the light finally turned green, and I arrived right on time.
Ash Wednesday, as the start of Lent, is like that. Ready or not, it’s time to pause and make note of the brake lights and the stop lights. Ready or not, it’s time to travel through the wilderness, take the slow lane or even a different route, knowing that in forty days (minus Sundays), we will still arrive right on time, exactly where we need to be.
The Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. It is a season of prayer, introspection, and for some, fasting or giving up of certain earthly pleasures. During Lent, Christians reflect on events of the life of Christ leading up to and including his death and resurrection. Forty days of penitent reflection is indeed inspired by the Jesus’s own forty-day experience in the wilderness, accounts of which are found in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Now we may not find ourselves led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit this Lent, as Jesus did. We may not face a talking serpent or the devil face to face. But in the wildernesses that we find ourselves in, be they physical, emotional, or spiritual, we too find our identity tested. We are constantly tempted into thinking that, as we are right now, we are not good enough to be children of God.
Most of us are aware of our limitations and our hang-ups, and the tempter takes every opportunity to remind us of where we fall short. But from my faith perspective, Lent is not for sacrificial self-improvement to be more holy come Easter Sunday. Lent instead takes us through the wilderness to reflect on our own shortcomings, in order to remind us to let God be God. Not so that we can feel guilty at where we fail. But so that we can get out of our own way and be nothing less than members of God’s family. Anecdotally, when Martin Luther felt tempted by the devil to despair, he would shout in response, “I am baptized!” Not “I was”, but “I am.” Present tenses. True in this very moment.
The trip through Lent every year takes us from a garden to a wilderness and back again, from human sin and transgression and death to resurrection, from the ash crosses of Ash Wednesday to the shadow of the cross on Good Friday, through the Garden of Eden, to the garden of Gethsemane, to the garden that contained Jesus’ empty tomb. Every year, we tell the story, to remind ourselves who we are and who we belong to. “I am baptized.” Present tense.
We Christians wear the sign of the cross in ashes on the outside to remind ourselves of the work that God is enacting on the inside of us. The confessing of our sins. The embracing of our brokenness. The naming of our grief and disappointments. And this the slow and painful process of the transforming of our dusty and broken hearts into clean ones, better able to love the other dusty hearts out there in our lives and in the rest of the world. That transformation probably takes more than forty days. But forty days is a good start.
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Its origins date back to 1925, but since 1976 every President of the United States has proclaimed February to be Black History Month in acknowledgment of the often-underappreciated contributions African Americans have made to our country. (Black History Month) The resources available to explore this rich history – on various online and streaming services, in libraries, and in schools — have never been better, but the need to explore and understand them is just as urgent.
As the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr., Canon Missioner and Minister of Equity and Inclusion at the Washington National Cathedral puts it:
“Yes, Black History Month is about the past, but it must also be about our present, as well as the future we hope to forge, together, as Americans.” He notes that one theme chosen for 2022, that of Black Health and Wellness, is “a way to celebrate all the ways African Americans have touched our bodies and souls, whether as essential workers, front-line health providers or in small ways to promote wellness.” And he urges us to consider the “racial and economic disparities of the COVID-19 pandemic” and to “follow the guidance of those who, throughout history, have challenged us to imagine something different, something better.” https://cathedral.org/press-room/black-history-month-is-about-so-much-more-than-our-history/
Many of those leaders have been inspired by their faith traditions, as should we.
Fairfax County has also prepared a number of opportunities for residents to get involved in Black History Month, focusing on collecting stories from current and former residents and providing resources to students to engage in project-based learning activities and the county’s historical marker program.
The Fairfax County Black History Month Program will be streamed live on Friday, February 11th from 7pm-8pm on Channel 16.
The link to the live stream is: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cableconsumer/channel-16/stream.
This year’s theme is:
The Black/African American Experience Project. This is a joint effort among Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), History Commission, and Neighborhood and Community Services. There are three parts of this effort: collecting stories, project-based learning, and historical markers.
The Historical Marker Project: will initially focus on the Black/African American experience and all students from K-12 (public, private, homeschooled etc.), classrooms and community youth groups can submit ideas for new Historical Markers throughout Fairfax County. The Historical Markers can commemorate an event, person, or location of historical significance within the county. Submissions are being accepted from February 1, 2022, through March 31, 2022. Students can learn more about the project, submission guidelines, and access links to resources at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/historical-marker-project.
Project- Based Learning: As part of project-based learning, FCPS will provide resources to support students in researching untold local stories of Black/African Americans and groups who have impacted our community. FCPS has also provided resources that have been published at https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-launches-historical-marker-project-highlight-untold-stories-countys-african-american for equitable access to students who are not enrolled in FCPS schools.
Collecting Stories: As part of the effort to increase the visibility of Black/African American experiences in the county, Neighborhood and Community Services is asking current and former county residents to share their stories. We are collecting stories about your family, community, church (faith community), cultural, educational, justice, innovation, or housing experiences. There are two ways that stories are being collected. You can complete the African American Experiences submission form on their website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/black-african-american-stories or you can share your oral history on video by making an appointment with their computer clubhouse technicians to have your stories recorded. Those interested can email collectingstories@fairfaxcounty.gov to set up an appointment. These stories will support the project-based learning at Fairfax County Public Schools, help build a racial history timeline and increase the visibility of Black/African American contributions to the county.
Finally, here is a link to discover twenty ways to celebrate and experience Black History Month in the DC Metro area:
https://www.fxva.com/blog/post/african-american-history/
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Back in October of 2021, a post floated around social media professing that “you can’t worship from your couch.” This generated a mild sensation among pastors who serve churches taking full advantage of online ways to be “church.” Fast forward to the present, and yet again the internet is buzzing with a similar dismissal of on-line worship, this time in the form of an ableist and dismissive opinion piece from the New York Times. In this article, already limited in its accessibility behind a paywall, the pastor claims that with the pandemic being “managed” with masks, distancing, and a milder variant, all churches (and communities of faith perhaps) should stop online options to primarily focus back on physical gatherings. Yes, we have yet another iteration of the “you can’t worship from the couch” fallacy.
I shared my thoughts on Facebook in October, and these words seem just as relevant now: As church attendance again (and AGAIN) becomes a hot topic in our nation, and online services have become a vital part of FINALLY including an underserved people, it’s important to remember why community is important in ALL the ways that you and your family are able to connect, no matter the type of community you are part of.
As members of my own community have shared with me – while you may not be able to pack meals from your couch if you struggle with a chronic illness… you can sing and pray while worship is streaming. You CAN be surrounded by your community of faith if you are unable to get out of bed that day. You CAN still experience the power of God’s presence, even if you aren’t able to be with everyone together on your day of worship because of illness, the children are vomiting all over the couch, your anxiety or depression are keeping you to your couch, or your autistic child is having a hard day and the couch is a safe place for them.
People need community, and community comes in many forms. We can contribute letters and cards and Facebook posts and prayer requests and email encouragement and tithe from literally ANYWHERE now. We can serve, sacrifice, encourage, pray, and do life together both online and in person. And actually, many of us have already been doing it for years already. For my siblings in Christian communities, I hope that we will continue to use all available tools to meet people where they are in their lives, as a way to recognize their true value and extend real welcome. Online options are here to stay, and this is a blessing from God.
We can’t be all things to all people. But as people of faith, we believe our call is to meet and love people, in all the miraculous ways we can be embodied together, however we can. Holy, sacred community cannot be contained by four walls, for one hour per week. One can experience this on the internet, from your couch, and sometimes even in pajamas, at all hours of the day and night.
If it happens that the New York Times does not renounce or at least allow a rebuttal to the above-mentioned article, may I be so bold as to suggest some future answers to Wordle, the famous 5-letter word game they recently acquired. I, among others, have noticed some words that seem to be lacking, such as: world, agape, boost, links, pivot, and unite. Especially when so many communities of faith are, miraculously, getting this right.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
For some years now, Hashmat and I have been meeting (in person and then on-line) as members of Tysons Interfaith representing our respective congregations. Hashmat is a member of the McLean Islamic Center, a respected and valued leader of Tysons Interfaith, and a friend. It has been my privilege to take part in an Iftar meal at the McLean Islamic Center. Hashmat and I both appreciated taking part in a series of conversations sponsored by Tysons Interfaith that examined the concept of the “Oneness of Humanity” through the lens of various faith traditions.
Recently, we were both interested to learn that our friends at the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington (IFC) will be highlighting a series of events in observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week. https://ifcmw.org/ihdmv2022/
Hashmat wanted to know more about World Interfaith Harmony Week, so he visited the website and this is what he found:
The World Interfaith Harmony Week
Annual UN Observance Week: Feb. 1-7
The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. Just under a month later, on October 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative. This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets. The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbour’. This formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths, and those with no faith.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platform—one week in a year—when all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the world what a powerful movement they are. The thousands of events organized by these groups often go unnoticed not only by the general public, but also by other groups themselves. This week will allow for these groups to become aware of each other and strengthen the movement by building ties and avoiding duplicating each others’ efforts.
It is hoped that this initiative will provide a focal point from which all people of goodwill can recognize that the common values they hold far outweigh the differences they have, and thus provide a strong dosage of peace and harmony to their communities.
What a beautiful thing this is, particularly as our world struggles to overcome divisiveness and bigotry that is often the result of not truly knowing our neighbors. Hashmat and I are honored to be part of a great group of people of different faith traditions and spiritualities who are working together to promote interfaith understanding, spiritual growth and human connection in the rapidly growing Tysons area. We applaud the goals of Interfaith Harmony Week as it is celebrated globally and locally.
To learn more about World Interfaith Harmony Week, please visit: https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Photo description: Law enforcement officials investigate the hostage incident at Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Tex. (Ralph Lauer/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Undoubtedly like many of you, we were saddened by the events this past weekend in Colleyville, Texas. Our hearts go out to those involved and to our Jewish friends locally here in Northern Virginia. The Washington Post had a good article summarizing the events of the weekend.
Two quotes from the article stood out to us. First was a powerful statement from Rabbi Charles Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel a week before this weekend’s crisis, which is very relevant post-crisis, even through the sadness:
“In that last sermon a week ago, Cytron-Walker recognized that some people now find it hard to summon hope. ‘What can we do?’ he asked. ‘The answer is — quite a lot! . . . In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, God asked the Israelites to face their fears and do something. . . . We are living in the midst of a different kind of chaos and uncertainty and it’s our turn to do something. . . . All we need to do is act.’”
The other quote from the article related to interfaith support and cooperation during the crisis, which is a model the members of Tysons Interfaith applaud and attempt to emulate.
“Two blocks in the other direction from Beth Israel, at Good Shepherd Catholic Community, Cheryl Drazin, a Dallas-based vice president of the Anti-Defamation League’s regional division, and other local faith leaders set up their own command center, where representatives from the Israeli consulate in Houston and relatives of the hostages gathered. Drazin saw Catholic priests and Chabad rabbis, in their long beards and black suits, sitting in a waiting area comforting each other.
Bob Roberts, an evangelical pastor at Northwood Church in Keller, five miles from Beth Israel, was eating lunch with his wife at an Italian restaurant around noon when they started getting texts about the hostage situation. He called Muslim leaders and they gathered at Good Shepherd, where Roberts spent the afternoon with the Cytron-Walker’s wife and daughter.
‘We’re all people of faith,’ Roberts said. ‘We have disagreements. The reality is we believe in God. And so we prayed.’
At one point, the wife of Shahid Shafi, a prominent Muslim figure in the county and a former city council member in Southlake, came into the room. She and the rabbi’s wife embraced. ‘It was just profound,’ Roberts said. ‘I just remember thinking to myself: People could use this [situation] as a tool to do more antisemitic and Islamophobic-type things. But this is the reality. A Muslim and a Jewish lady, embracing. This is how it’s done.’”
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
Showing compassion/serving can come in many forms. It can be as simple as reaching out to someone you have not talked to in a long time, checking on an elderly neighbor, or buying lunch for an overworked medical professional.
If you are interested in MLK Jr. Day projects on a larger scale, here are a few ideas that were shared in my church’s monthly newsletter:
Alexandria
Potomac Stewards Cleanup — river cleanup at Four Mile Run and at Jones Point Park. www.eventbrite.com/e/potomac-stewards-cleanup-martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service-tickets-37495579287?aff=es2
Arlington County
Volunteer Arlington — make meals, assemble winter care packages, clean up parks, assemble children’s blankets for homeless shelters, learn about hunger and affordable housing, etc. volunteer.leadercenter.org/2022-mlk-day-service
District of Columbia
City Year — projects at three schools in the H Street NE corridor. www.cityyear.org/dc/events/mlk-day-of-service/
Washington National Cathedral — a virtual event for families; will include a sermon by Martin Luther King Jr’s granddaughter Ms. Yolanda Renee King. cathedral.org/event/remaining-awake-a-service-in-observance-of-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-day/
Fairfax County
Volunteer Fairfax — event is geared toward elementary-aged kids and their parents with various service stations. www.volunteerfairfax.org/events/mlk-jr-weekend-of-service-2022/
Potomac Stewards Cleanup — river cleanup at Turkey Run in McLean. www.eventbrite.com/e/potomac-stewards-cleanup-martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service-tickets-37495579287?aff=es2
Reston Community Center — three days of activities: concerts, packing of lunches, outdoor cleanup, and a special activity for 1st-6th graders at RCC Hunters Woods. www.restoncommunitycenter.com/attend-shows-events-exhibits/2022-mlk-celebration
Falls Church Chamber of Commerce — “March for Social Justice, Unity, and Racial Healing” begins at the Tinner Hill Monument in the area where African-American families bought land after the Civil War and whose descendants established the first rural branch of the National Association for the Protection of Colored People. www.fallschurchchamber.org/events/details/3rd-annual-martin-luther-king-day-march-for-social-justice-unity-and-racial-healing-01-17-2022-32569