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Before I accepted Islam, I worked at a bank. A fellow teller disturbed me with his vehement views about Islam. He made a mistake during a transaction, but he was angry at his customer. He charged into my workspace, explained to me his error and growled, “I hope she’s Muslim.” I asked, “Why?” Then he, […]

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 presented by members of our church, called the Daily Lift. A recent Daily Lift entitled “Immortality Runs in the Family,” is an encore presentation by Catherine DeJocas. This particularly […]

According to an article from the Stanford Center for Longevity, there is a relationship between volunteering and improved physical health and cognitive function.  “Research also shows that volunteers report elevated mood and less depression, and that volunteers report increased social interactions and social support, better relationship quality, and decreased loneliness.”  longevity.stanford.edu/three-reasons-why-people-dont-volunteer-and-what-can-be-done-about-it/  A recent contributor to […]

The following log is being presented in a series of weekly installments.  To read this document in its entirety, please visit: philchurch.substack.com DAYS 29/30 (FRIDAY/SATURDAY, APRIL 29/30) – Attending an Afghan Hiring (Job) Fair.  NF comes to town from where he’s living with his family in Pittsburgh to meet up with his former work colleagues, […]

An AP story that ran recently in the Washington Post touched us deeply. We shared the story with our Tysons Interfaith colleagues who also found the story to be very uplifting. We share it again here for all to appreciate: WASHINGTON POST, June 27, 2022 www.washingtonpost.com/kidspost/2022/06/25/ Syrian refugee spends 5,000 hours carving model of German […]

The following log is being presented in a series of weekly installments.  To read this document in its entirety, please visit philchurch.substack.com DAY 22 (FRIDAY, APRIL 22) – THE DMV experience. Qualifying for employment in the US requires Afghan refugees to have a government-issued picture ID. It is not enough to have a special immigrant […]

The following log is being presented in a series of weekly installments.  To read this document in its entirety, please visit philchurch.substack.com DAY 15 (FRIDAY, APRIL 15) – Good Friday and Good Food.  One of HM’s friends – we’ve now lost record of all their names – comes by to take him shopping and then […]

This is only the second year for the Federal holiday of Juneteenth.  What is it about, anyway?  Why is it important? The history of Juneteenth is this:  “After the Union Army captured New Orleans in 1862, slave owners in Confederate states migrated to Texas with more than 150,000 enslaved Black persons.  For 3 years, even […]

The following log is being presented in a series of weekly installments.  To read this document in its entirety, please visit philchurch.substack.com DAY 8 (FRIDAY, APRIL 8) – Phil is becoming expendable.  HM arrived at our home a week earlier with clothes freshly washed and cleaned at a laundromat close to his hotel. He now […]

The following log is being presented in a series of weekly installments.  To read this document in its entirety, please visit philchurch.substack.com We have been “observing” both Christian Easter Season and Muslim Ramadan this year. The choice was ours but then maybe, as part of some divine equation, it was not. Whatever, it has been […]