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 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: Susan Posey, Redeemer Lutheran, McLean
Many people set aside time in their day for prayer, reflection, or meditation, and there are so many wonderful resources for this type of daily grounding. One such resource is the Daily Lift, a daily audio reflection provided on-line by the Christian Science Church.
This week, I was blessed to hear a Daily Lift offered by Lois Herr, who is a local Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher, an active member of Tysons Interfaith, and my dear friend. In this segment entitled No such thing as “all by myself,” Lois shares an experience from her own life that illustrates her belief that by consistently turning to God for guidance, one can come to the spiritual reality that God’s care is always ready to appear in ways that we can understand.
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.
As my friend Lois would say, “may this segment bring you peace and encouragement.” It did so for me.
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, McLean
Sometimes, when I have trouble sleeping, I listen to the BBC. A recent segment entitled Mary’s Pain, a Lenten Talk offered by Dr. Selina Stone, touched me deeply.
Dr. Stone uses the period of Lent to come to terms with grief and loss she experienced in the untimely death of her mother to cancer. She shares Mary’s story as encouragement to all who mourn or struggle with the large problems facing our world.
This particular offering was first broadcast on March 11 and will be available for twenty-seven days.
As Christians prepare to enter holy week, may it offer anyone who cares to listen, peace.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal, McLean
“The mind is involved in religion, but in more subtle ways. Christian traditions have many objects, rituals, and gorgeous buildings that create a spiritual atmosphere that helps the heart along. Judaism is perhaps the most embodied religion of all, requiring hundreds of specified obligations and actions governing dress and food, marital relations and business dealings, even the structure and society of prayer. In the Jewish tradition these are not separate from but an expression of a covenantal relationship with the creator of the universe.”
As we move further into Ramadan and Lent, I was struck by this message that came into my inbox. The author (Johnathan Silver, the author of Mosaic Magazine) takes issue with those who “have a very abstracted view of what religion is and the role it plays in human life,” and seem to believe: “The key to religious devotion is the acceptance of a tenet of faith.”
Nothing could be further from the truth.
To read the article in full, please visit:
https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal
I received this beautiful message from NPR highlighting their listeners prayers this Ramadan, which begins today or tomorrow, depending on the sighting of the new moon in Saudi Arabia. https://www.npr.org/2024/03/10/1237049818/ramadan-prayers-2024-eid-muslims-peace-gaza-empathy. This is a powerful reminder to non-Muslims everywhere of the humanity and spiritual depth of Islam as practiced in our great nation today, and I hope everyone will take a moment to reflect on what our Muslim neighbors are saying.
My son was born in Riyadh, where I worked in the U.S. embassy, so I have very fond remembrances of the kingdom. As a non-Muslim, I could not visit Mecca and Medina, but I could share in the daily call of the muezzins and the deep spirituality of this most sacred season.
I hope you will join us in celebrating this most holy month of fasting, prayer, and fellowship,
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Vicki Nelson, Temple Rodef Shalom, Falls Church; Susan Posey, Redeemer Lutheran, McLean
Spring 2024 is marked by religious observations for people of many different faith traditions. We are a nation founded on the principle of religious freedom and we celebrate that the First Amendment to the US Constitution ensures that everyone has the right to practice their own religion – or no religion at all.
But this spring, we also mourn for all who are so horribly impacted by war and violence – in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine. And we witness with concern deep divisions and distrust even in our local communities.
So, as we observe the sacred days of our various faith traditions, may we be joined in a prayer for peace. May we acknowledge the sacred value of each life and the rights of all people to safety and well-being. And when we feel powerless and overwhelmed by events in the world and here at home, may we redouble our efforts to love our neighbors and treat one another with the dignity, compassion, and respect we all deserve.
The following is a summary of some of the rich and varied holy days being observed in the coming months. We hope you will read each brief piece, knowing that education is the road to understanding.
Spring 2024 Religious Observations:
Lent (Christian). February 13:
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is the forty weekdays leading up to Easter. It is a time dedicated to repentance, reflection, and deepening of one’s relationship with God in preparation for Easter.
Ramadan (Islam). Begins March 10:
Ramadan occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It lasts twenty-nine or thirty days, depending on when the new crescent moon is visible. This period of fasting and spiritual growth is one of the five Pillars of Islam. It is the prevailing belief among Muslims that it was in the last nights of Ramadan that the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. In addition to daily fasting, Muslims participate in daily prayer, reflection, study of the Quran, and community.
Naw-Ruz (Baha’i). March 19-20:
Naw-Ruz, the Baha’i New Year, 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.
Purim (Jewish). March 23-24:
Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday, celebrated in costume with noisemakers and merriment. The full story can be found in the Book of Esther, the 24th and final book in the Hebrew Scriptures. The story, which is purely fantastical and not based on any historical event, is about a king ruling in Persia. The king is fooled by his royal vizier, who wants to take revenge on a Jew who refuses to bow down to him. The king signs an order that all the Jews in the kingdom are to be killed. The heroine, Queen Esther the king’s wife, learns of the plot, uses her position to turn the tables and the villain is killed and the Jews are spared. Jews use this occasion to exchange gifts of food and drink, give charity to the poor, eat a celebratory meal, and participate in a public reading of the Book of Esther.
Holi (Hindu). March 25:
This Hindu holiday occurs on the full moon of the month of Phalguna on the Hindu calendar. It is also known as the Festival of Love, Spring and Colors. It is a celebration of the divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna, and good over evil. The evening and day celebration is known for its bonfires and for the joyous throwing of colored powder and powder solutions by Hindus and non-Hindus, alike. The arrival of spring is celebrated, and people have the opportunity to repair broken relationships.
Easter (Christian). March 31 (Note — Eastern Orthodox Easter is May 5):
On the Christian Liturgical calendar, this day is “The Resurrection of our Lord.” It is one of the central holy days of Christianity. Christians believe that on this day, Jesus Christ, who was crucified on “Good Friday” was resurrected from the dead, thus conquering death and sin. It is the joyful conclusion to the Lenten season of prayer, fasting and reflection.
Eid al-Fitr (Islam). April 9-10:
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting season of Ramadan. It is typically celebrated by a large community-wide prayer service, at which charitable donations are collected, followed by meals and conversation with family and friends.
Baisakhi (Sikh). April 13:
Baisakhi is the highest celebration for Sikhs. It is a time of rededication and renewal of faith. Many people take part in a special baptism to become Khalsa (or pure ones) at this blessed time of year.
Festival of Ridvan (Baha’i). April 21 – May 3:
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. The first day, the ninth day, and the twelfth day are celebrated as holy days when work is suspended.
Passover (Jewish). April 22-30:
Passover is a major Jewish holiday that occurs in the spring and is one of three pilgrimage holidays. Celebrated for seven or eight days depending on which denomination of Judaism you participate in; it marks the Israelites’ escape from Egypt and their slavery under Pharoah. This is another Jewish holiday dealing with the theme of freedom. The story, told around the Seder table on the first two nights of the holiday, comes from the Book of Exodus. The celebration is marked by the commandment in Exodus 12:15 that you shall eat unleavened bread, which we know as matzah, for the duration of the holiday.
Vesak (Buddhist). May 23:
The biggest and most important holiday celebrated by all Buddhist schools is called Vesak (Vesakha), or Enlightenment Day. All Buddhist schools agree it’s the Buddha’s birthday. On Vesak Day Buddhist temples are decorated with flags and flowers, and devotees assemble in temples for ceremonial rituals. To honor the day, Buddhists aspire to practice love, peace and harmony by participating in volunteer and civic activities that benefit all humanity.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal, McLean
One reason I belong to St. Thomas Episcopal Church is because our patron saint – known popularly as “Doubting Thomas” – reflects the broad theology of the Anglican Communion, particularly its American counterpart. Our conceit is that we uniquely straddle reformed and non-reformed Christian traditions, which is probably an unfair exaggeration, but I was reminded of this during the kickoff of a new, bi-weekly McLean tradition: “Pints with Doubting Thomas.”
The subject was “theodicy” or the problem of evil” — perhaps the biggest stumbling block to religion for many non-believers. How can a God whom we describe as supremely loving and good allow suffering and evil to exist? Or as Rabbi Harold Kusher asked in a best-selling book from 1981: what do we do “When Bad Things Happen to Good People”? https://a.co/d/hUGaInQ
Our Assistant Rector and Parish Administrator gave four answers to this dilemma, which I must admit would not perplex an atheist. First, is the idea of a “perfect plan,” which stems from the Calvinist doctrine that everything, including suffering, is part of God’s plan. Second, is the doctrine of “free will,” the dominant non-reformed view that a world of free choice is better than a world of slavish devotion and that we must have the capacity to make good or bad choices, some of which lead to suffering, etc. Third, is the idea of “spiritual warfare” between Satan – the cause of all evil and suffering – and God, who will win in the end with the help of his recruits. Finally, there is “soul-making,” the idea that although God knew free will would lead to suffering, God intends us to become better and more complete as we grow out of this purposeful and instructive suffering.
Rabbi Kushner, struggling with the loss of his own son to a horrible, debilitating disease, gravitates toward the soul-making view. “I would say that God may not prevent the calamity, but He [sic] gives us the strength and perseverance to overcome it.”
Whatever your perspective, I invite you to join us next Wednesday, March 13, to continue the discussion. This time we will consider less traditional theodicies, including anti-theodicy (the idea that we should not attempt to defend God in the face of evil). If all this sounds a bit esoteric, it goes down much better with good company and a pint of ale.
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
The following is an excerpt from an article published on Islamic Horizons. To read the article in its entirety, please visit: https://islamichorizons.net/chaplains-can-help-change-lives/.
“We live in a mostly secular world that may have lost its connection to the divine,” said Tahira Wellman, a chaplain at New Jersey’s Hackensack University Medical Center. She’s the only Muslim chaplain in its pastoral care department.
Yahya Hendi, the first full-time Muslim chaplain at an American university, was hired in 1999 by Georgetown University. Due to its small Muslim student population, Hendi, who was chosen to enlighten non-Muslims about Islam, has focused on the interfaith community.
Muslim chaplains work in hospitals, universities, prisons, and many other settings. Mutahhir Sabree (administrator, the Distance Learning Prison Initiative) works to provide free courses in Islamic Studies to inmates nationwide. Interacting with more than 3,000 male and female inmates, he teaches and prays with them, as well as encourages them to identify with the prophets of Islam and the multitude of spiritual stories in the Quran, such as the lives of prophets Yusuf and Ayyub.
Muslim chaplains enter the profession from a variety of routes. Some pursue a seminary degree; others travel to the Middle East and North Africa for a deep dive into Arabic studies and to obtain authentic traditional knowledge of the Quran and Sunna. Some begin as volunteers, while others are trained in pastoral care. Whatever the route, these individuals can play a vital role in the lives of knowledge seekers — both beginners and advanced.
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)’s active chaplaincy program is dedicated to offering services to Muslim chaplains through endorsement, education and training, and leadership development. This program endorses chaplains serving in the Army, Air Force, Navy, prisons, hospitals, universities and other institutions. ISNA honors them by qualifying them to offer care, spiritual guidance, support families in times of grief and loss, ensure religious freedom and offer similar services.
One of this profession’s foremost benefits is the privilege of representing Islam in mainstream American society. As an ambassador for Islam and a professional chaplain, you’ll have the opportunity to share and exchange your Islamic life experiences with colleagues from multiple faith or even non-faith backgrounds in a very collegial and non-threatening manner. If you’re interested in becoming a chaplain, complete the application process on ISNA’s website: https://isna.net/chaplaincy-services/.
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.