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 Yerusalem Work
May your children be the coolness of your eyes! This Arabic expression qurrata a’yun (قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ) conveys a message of love and joy. It refers to tears that flow from a sense of comfort after having achieved refuge.
Quran 25:74 includes a prayer that Allah makes our spouses and children the coolness of our eyes. May Allah (swt) bless our families. The home is a sacred space. It is where we offer fervent prayer. It is where we ought to feel peace.
When we hear the Adhan (the Call to Prayer), we come across the saying, “Hasten to prayer. Hasten to success.” This wakes us up on the inside. It helps us to ponder our true responsibility in life: to worship Allah (swt).
Our families prepare us for life in the outside world. We cherish our families because they shape our lives. Truly, Allah (swt) guides and provides, but we must remember to be grateful for the safety and stability of our inner sanctum, our home. We can cultivate knowledge and wisdom, but without practical application, we are at a loss. Let us learn how to hold space for each other in our hearts, graciously showing hospitality through generosity. We can hold space for each other by sharing a kind word or filling up an empty cup. We can meet a pressing need.
Our parents raise us and most often intend the best for us. We can show our appreciation by caring for them and ourselves and the world around us. Is it a perfect world? No, but that makes it no less deserving of our attention. Keep your eyes on those you love. Watch them sing and dance. Watch them change over the course of life—ideally for the better. We are very devoted to famous people, but are we watchful of those in our inner circles? What about the distance between us and the hearts nearest to us? We must bridge the gap and eliminate the divide between us and those genuinely deserving of our trust. A warm smile or a simple hug can melt hearts, heal wounds, or demonstrate compassion.
So, remember the small screen does not deserve all our time. Bond with those worthy of your care and concern. Time is precious. Utilize it wisely. There is an African proverb that states, “If you cut your chains, you free yourself. If you cut your roots, you die.” Nurture your roots and you will grow strong. Plant seeds of good deeds and meditation. You can rise above anything with love and hope. Stay inspired! Hold onto who and what matter most. Never forget that you deserve to be treasured.
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 writing has been published in Muslim Matters, Islamic Horizons, 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.
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.
Contributed by Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal
Members of St. Thomas Episcopal (a founding congregation of Tysons Interfaith) have created a vegetable garden. We are delighted that our garden is starting to yield fresh produce that we are delivering to SHARE of McLean, which is housed at another Tysons Interfaith congregation, McLean Baptist Church.
Our earlier labors of tilling, erecting a fence, purchasing and planting the vegetables, and the on-going weeding and watering are yielding green peppers, squash and cucumber blossoms, little green tomatoes and green beans that have sprouted from seed. We also have eggplants, okra, sweet potatoes and more. Marigolds add cheerful color and act as a natural insecticide.
One of our volunteers had this to say:
“The picture below is a picture of what the Bible calls “first fruits” (e.g. Leviticus 23:10). The Hebrew word translated, “first fruits” is bikkurim which literally means “a promise to come.” Our four peppers are small in number but a beautiful promise of what is to come. I took our first fruits to SHARE. The woman who received them said, ‘They’re beautiful!’ She was thrilled. Ah, the first fruits are creating the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, and wellbeing.”
We are grateful for SHARE and for St. Thomas’s garden volunteers whose labors of compassion are benefiting our brothers and sisters who are in need of food.
To see a recent post about the garden on Facebook, please visit: https://www.facebook.com
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 Dr. Trish Hall, Center for Spiritual Living, Metro
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is May 29. In this two-part series, Dr. Trish Hall explores the concepts of peacekeeping and peacemaking, and the importance of “being peace” in our world.
In the days following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, called on members of his church and the people of the world to become peacemakers.
Nelson declared, “The path to becoming a peacemaker is often misunderstood. We too often focus on outward behaviors rather than the principles of peacemaking. Peacemaking is a quest that will test the best within us.”
Many peacekeepers and peacemakers are pacifists – people who believe that war and violence are unjustifiable. Peacemakers and peacekeepers share a single purpose: to create a world that works for all. How they approach achieving their shared goal of Peace is different. Both are needed as we grow human understanding.
Peacekeepers tend to focus on controlling behaviors. They do their utmost to maintain critical balance to prevent new hostilities. Peacekeeping is often frustratingly temporary as Nelson pointed out: “It controls surface behavior without solving the underlying issues that ignite anger, contempt, and distrust.”
Peacemakers seek to go beyond containment to unearthing the causes that burst forth as war, domestic assaults, race-riots, and gang violence. Through in-depth conversations into potentially volatile topics, mediation, negotiation and education they work to change outward behaviors from the inside by expanding understanding and building new relationships.
Both require:
Self-awareness – What is the state of your inner being? Are you peace, not just peaceful? Start your self-discovery by sitting quietly, allow your thoughts to slow down and become totally present with yourself. Release your engagement with your external and internal environment. What are you sensing? Draw Peace into your awareness. Sense Peace. Continue to be peaceful, affirm “I am Peace.”
Keen Alertness – Both our internal and external worlds are subject to anxiety and strife. We must be sensitive to what we are experiencing: Is it coming from our personal history? Is the current environment awakening old, unresolved issues? Are we taking on the emotions around us? To be present, alert observers, we must not get enmeshed in circumstances. We must differentiate intuitively in the moment, what is stemming from our internal world and what is originating externally. This may seem tricky. How can we deeply sense what is going on, without engagement and assess without interpreting, judging, or projecting?
It all begins in consciousness. We must challenge ourselves, clarify our convictions and honestly assess why we identify ourselves as peace people. What is it that is calling us to embrace being a stand for peace as our personal responsibility – to show up as Peace?
Next, we discern Divine Guidance and invite it to inform us as to how we are to be. Whether you engage in fervent plenary prayer, follow a practice of visioning, use the powerful practice of affirmative prayer or any other form, do what is yours to do to open to the Divine, open to the wisdom of the One Creator, listen to and glean guidance from Spirit.
Lastly, we must clearly, courageously do what Spirit within has decreed. Many of us have “heard a call,” even felt it deeply, and then let it fade. “Life got in the way.” Whether in prayer circles, meditation groups, uplifting individuals or being a mighty voice that can enroll others in changing how our populations relate to one another, we are the only ones that can shift the consciousness of our world in our particular way.
You may not realize your own importance or may question how what you do could possibly have any effect on much of anything, yet as Dr. Margaret Wheatley said, “One of the things we need to learn is that very great change starts from very small conversations, held among people who care. Forget about the politics … What are the things that you really have deep, abiding concern for? What is it you really have some passion for? If you go into that question for yourself, you will find the energy to go forward.” You will undoubtedly attract others who share your concerns. By asking crucial questions, you set change in motion, you unveil hidden limiting beliefs at their root, reveal pivotal misunderstandings and discover new possibilities.
Immerse yourself in the sensations of being a peace person – of letting the world know what you are by your presence, your words and actions. You are Peace.
Feel the vibrancy of being fully engaged as Peace. See and feel making a difference in your own unique way. You are Peace.
Well … don’t just sit there … Be it! Do it!
Start right now, in this new, now, present moment! Be a Peace Presence.
Remember: Everything you do matters!
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.