The Interfaith Conversation Continues

Well it is 3 weeks into our Faith Club Book study and interfaith conversation. We began with 12 and now have about 20 people. The discussions have been lively and the time is flying. It is difficult to leave.
Week One:
Discussion was on ourselves. Who we are and why we are here. It was quite emotional. The Christians expressing gratitude to find a place to discuss issues in their heart and the mixed messages of their faith tradition. Most had grappled with the idea that only Christians could go to Heaven which did not make sense to them because of their belief in Humanity as being One with and created by God. What they were taught did not jibe with the truth in their Heart.

The Taoist was grateful to have a place to be accepted and to openly discuss her beliefs and ideas. She felt a part of and welcome.

The Muslims were also grateful to have a place to express their passion for their God without fear of persecution. They felt at peace, included and one with the group.

The Jew was excited to be a part of our converstation and eager to share her faith.

All participants are seekers, wanting desperately to understand people from different faiths by developing relationships and delving into the sacred texts of all faith traditions. We all want to become the Peace we want to see in the world and are all stepping out in faith that our God will show the way. The energy of the group is enthusiastic and eager to learn and to love. I am blessed to be a part of such diverse and exciting people of all ages.

Week Two:
Discussion was stereotypes of faith traditions.

• Lack of knowledge and life experience with others from different cultures breed and increase in stereotypes and prejudices.
• However, negative exposure to only a few people from different cultures increase stereotypes and prejudices. Even educated people accept and promote stereotypes.
• Media and peoples lacksdaisical williness to investigate prior to interogation plays a huge role in promoting stereotypes and prejudices.
• That person is not like me and I do not want to be the one that is wrong so they are is another reason for negative stereotypes.
• Fundamentalist in all Faith Traditions, is scary, offensive, non-inclusive.
• Our isolation in America breeds stereotypes of other cultures and faith, awareness is the key to our understanding.
• Organized religion does not leave room to question or consciously chose your faith. Your faith is usually a determinate of where you were born.
• You are looked down upon if you chose to leave, question, or challenge the tradition in which you were born. You become a threat and are kept at a distance.
• Most people are comfortable in their own creek and don't want to explore new lands and other rivers.

Christian stereotypes: It was interesting that most of the Christians had more stereotypes within their own faith tradition. They were as follows:

• Exculsion of Protestants from Catholics.
• Catholics are not real Christians
• Fundamentalism is our American Taliban
• Fundamentalist believe all must fit in their box or else.
• Catholics are better than Protestants because of exclusion from the table means we are just a little better than you.
• America is a Christian Nation
• My way or the high way. Christianity is the only way to God.

Jewish stereotypes:

• They are all rich, aggressive and have a chip on their shoulder.

Muslim stereotypes:

• Not apologetic for terrorist attacks.
• Women are oppressed.
• Eastern Indians are happy, diverse, colorful, poor but rich in spirit.
• People in the Middle East are not free to be, do and have much. We are sad for them.
• ASU does not offer classes on Middle Eastern Studies. This is necessary to bring forth understanding and awareness.

Our third week we will discuss the Stereotypes of Islam which Rashda Kahn and Ara Rahman addressing their views.

I had no idea

I had no idea my God is so great and all encompassing. As I shared in the 11 Days of Unity for Peace I came to hear from many brothers and sisters whom I had not previously met. Each encounter was powerful, blessed, and inspired. I came away from every evening exhausted from each revelation of seeing the loving, gracious God I had known from birth as a child unfold even further in front of my studied, adult eyes. As each person shared their self and the God-ness within, my faith and my love for the God I have always known became stronger and more powerful.

Initially, I had expected head-knowledge from the 11 Days of Unity. What I received instead was a moving from deep within wherein lies the power of Spirit and the powerful Love which shines forth as Peace.

Do not take my simple words for truth; next year - experience it for yourself from September 10 through September 21, the United Nations International Day of Peace, 2009.

The Peace Ambassadors, Unity Church, and all who have been touched by these past 11 days will join again. Deb

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Thank you Becky

Becky, I know I am speaking for everyone when I say that we cannot thank you enough for all the work you put into this event. You are an amazing organizer and an inspiration, and a wonderful addition to the Peace Ambassadors!

Concluding services

Well, Sunday night promised to be meaningful, and it certainly was. Becky had us all bring water from our homes to pour into a large bowl. As we each poured our water in, we said a blessing. Then, each of us gave a two-minute message of peace. It was truly beautiful. After we each gave our messages, we went to the bowl and took the mixed, blessed water from it in our vessels. The whole night was so symbolic and meaningful. I loved hearing everyone's brief messages, all in one evening. The whole time we were up there, I was thinking that if there can be so many faiths represented in one room in San Angelo, TX, surely this can be done thoughout the world. I cannot wait to see this event grow year after year!

Saturday night

Saturday night, I had the honor of being part of an amazing experience. It was the night that I, along with 5 other women from three other faiths, had the opportunity to share prayers of peace from women's point-of-view. I have to admit, at first I was unsure how the "women's night" would go. Since women are not *technically* a faith of their own, I honestly had trouble figuring out what to say! (It took me several hours to come up with a 5-minute speech!) But while we were all up there, I got it. I understood. Women spend every part of their day taking care of others. Cleaning, cooking, shopping, taking kids to school, picking them up, taking them to their after-school activities. Very few things that we do are just "for us". So for me, Saturday night was kind of like a mental massage- a little gift from women, for women.

Finding Peaceful moments

Thanks to Becky Benes, Unity of San Angelo and the Peace Ambassadors, I've been living and breathing peace since Sept. 7.

I've attended as many of the talks as I could and each one of them has been enlightening. Each has given me a different window to look through, new ideas to ponder and a deeper sense of my own spirituality. Each has helped me connect to another human being and make a friend.

The Buddhist presentation was one of my favorites. What a sensory experience! Candles casting a golden glow on the Buddha figurine sitting between blushing lotus blossoms; the warm, sweet scent of incense wafting through the air and Thai music that reminded me of running, tumbling water. All this framed against the backdrop of a West Texas sunset.

More importantly, I've been experience more and more moments of peace on a personal level.

My kids have been having a blast making peace pinwheels and Peace Ambassador posters. They've attended many of the talks too. It gives me great joy that we can share this experience and work for peace as a family.

On Sept. 11, I went to pickup the wreath for the 9-11 ceremony, only to find that the florist has mislaid the order and there was no wreath. This was at 8:50 a.m and I had instructions to be at the site by 9:15 a.m. Yikes! My first impulse was to be annoyed. Fortunately, two thoughts blitzed through my mind: a) being annoyed wouldn't be peaceful and b) wouldn't really make the florists hurry more than they already were. So I took a walk in their green house while the wreath was being put together.

Later, as I drove to my destination, I told God that He was in charge of the traffic lights and finding me a parking space. You know what? He took care of it. :)

Another day I noticed a neighbor of mine. This gentleman is always hard at work in his garden --planting, trimming, watering etc. On this cool September morning, he was drinking a cup of coffee and just silently enjoying his garden. Still and contemplative. At Peace.

Then just recently, I was driving to work when a random truck driver flashed me a peace sign.

And today, I heard a quite, soft spoken woman share some powerful and beautiful Taoist messages, the gist of which is Peace comes from within oneself.

Brief moments of peace in my hectic life. And I enjoyed each and every one of them.

Please Post your comments!

If you've had the opportunity to attend some of the events, we'd love to hear your thoughts~ what you learned, what you enjoyed, anything you'd like to add. Posting a comment is easy: All you have to do is click on the "Comments" link below any post you want to comment on. You will be brought to a page where you can type your thoughts. Then, just click "Publish Comment", and you're done! (It may take a while for comments to appear; comments are moderated to make sure they are appropriate for our blog.)

Can't wait to hear from you!

Congregation Beth Israel

Ami told us at the beginning of her program she had a lot to teach us. She did just that, and did so in a warm and welcoming manner. I did not know that the word shalom had multiple meanings: hello, goodbye, and peace. Ami's explanation of the Jewish sabbath and ritual was very detailed, I enjoyed listening to her.
My son and I had never been in a synagogue before, and I could tell he was listening and observing everything around him. He counted all the Stars of David he could see in the room, "Mom," he said, "There are 15 of them!" He particularly enjoyed hearing and then seeing the shofar up close. Right away he connected the shofar in the stained glass windows as well, "Look, Mom it's in the window, too!" he announced. When he asked about the Star of David on the ceiling at the end of Ami's presentation, I was so pleased by his curiosity. Thank you for teaching us so much, Ami!

Unity Church Prayer Service

Before last night, I had never been to a Unity Church service before. After getting to know Rev. Janie and several of the church's congregants over the past several weeks, I knew that I would enjoy the service, but I had no idea how much! In a word, the service was AMAZING! I loved everything about it. My favorite quote of the night, was "Prayer is the way we speak to God; meditation is the way we listen to God." So simple, yet so powerful. After listening to beautiful music and to Rev. Janie talk about the inclusiveness of Unity Church, we encircled the sanctuary, held hands, and each took turns saying our name for God! Since there were so many faiths present, there were many different names given. What a beautiful beginning to this event.

9/11 Memorial

Ara & Deborah present the wreath from the Peace Ambassadors

The Peace Ambassadors pose for a photo in front of San Angelo's September 11th Monument, after the 9/11 Service of Rememberance and Hope for the Future.

Attending the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony was a beautiful expression of healing for the American people. Honoring those services which promote Peace, embracing our children (our future) and having the Peace Ambassadors who represent some of the many faiths traditions of American present a Peace Wreath, warmed my heart. Ths ceremony orchestrated by Rev. Nathanial Hankins was representation of the essence of America, the Land of the Free.

The land of the Free for me is having: the freedom to be the fullest expression of who we are created to be; the freedom to co-create our lives for the betterment of all society; the freedom to express our love for our Creator in the vast expressions of that Creator; the freedom to live next to my neighbor in peace, love and respect; the freedom to study and learn about all things, and the freedom to Just Do It because what do I have to loose.

Sitting at this service, it was revealed to me that acts of violence, hate, prejudice, condemnation are only symptons of much greater issues. Issues of fear, misunderstanding and the feeling of seperation and lack. With this awareness, I must ask deeper questions. Why do they hate us so? Why were the people who attacked America afraid of us? Where is the misunderstanding between us? What is it that we have that they want? Then I wondered, have we ask them the questions so that we could understand? Knowing that my experience of the world is a reflection of myself, I am called to ask myself the same questions. Do I include all people without regard to gender, race, creed and religion? Do I share my time, talents, and treasures with those less fortunate? Do I seek to console others in their time of need? Do I forgive others and myself for the little and big things in life? Do I take the time to inter into conversations with all people in an attempt to understand. The answer in most cases, I am sad to say is NO!

In order for me to have inner peace and thus global peace, I must put my pride that says, MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY BUSTER! behind me. I must open my mind and my heart to the possiblity in the word's of Oliver Cromwell, "I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken." Opening myself to the possiblity that I may be mistaken humbles me. It makes me teachable. Thank God, I was blessed to be an American where I can ask the questions and freely express myself.

11 Days of Unity Schedule

11 Days of Peace Schedule for San Angelo

Sunday, Sept. 7
6 - 7 pm Opening Peace Concert featuring Cindy Jordan and local musicians. Tore Anderson, Jr. Peace Ambassador, presents youth program. Court House Lawn. Join in songs of Peace, making and planting of Peace Pinwheels.

Thursday, Sept. 11
9:30 am Rev. Nathaniel Hankins, Minister at First United Methodist Church. 9/11 Memorial Celebration at the 9/11 Memorial at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Art.

7 to 7:30 pm Rev. Janie Kelley, Minister at Unity of San Angelo begins 11 Days of Peace. Unity Church, 5237 S. Bryant.

Friday, Sept. 12
Noon Bishop Michael Pfeiffer and Deborah Michalewicz present a Christian Prayer Program. St. Joseph Church, 301 W. 17th Street.

Saturday, Sept. 13
10:30 - noon Girl Scout Art on the Concho Fun Fest. YMCA. Come make Peace Doves and Pinwheels at the Peace Ambassadors and Unity Church booths.

7 - 7:30 pm Ami Mizell-Flint presents a Jewish program. Congregation Beth Israel. 1825 W. Beauregard.

Sunday, Sept. 14
2 - 4 pm Becky Benes leads a 3-part Meditation Series Focused on Inner Peace. Christ the King Retreat Center, 802 Ford St. ($15 per individual session, $30 for all three) FMI call 651-5352.

7 - 7:30 pm Rashda Khan and Ara Rahman present a Muslim Program. Unity Church.

Monday, Sept. 15
7 - 7:30 pm Samuel Green Jr. presents a Baha’i Program. Unity Church.

Tuesday, Sept. 16
7 - 7:30 pm Dr. Sangeeta Singg presents a Hindu and Sikh program. Unity Church.

Wednesday, Sept.17
7 - 7:30 pm Dewey Weaver presents a Buddhist program. Unity Church.

Thursday, Sept. 18
6 - 6:30 pm Native American Program. Unity Church.
7 - 9 pm Fr. Frank celebrates St. Paul’s 2,000th birthday. Holy Angels Catholic Church, 2317 A&M Street.

Friday, Sept. 19
7 - 7:30 pm Teresa Rylander presents a Taoist Program. Unity Church.

Saturday, Sept. 20
7 - 8 pm Sister Malachy, Ami Mizell-Flint, Rev. Janie Kelly, Rashda Kahn,
and Ara Rahman present a Women’s program. Unity Church.

Sunday, Sept. 21
7 - 8:30 pm All presenters will join together in a city-wide closing prayer and
celebration for Peace. Celebration Hall at First United Methodist Church,
37 E. Beauregard.
FMI: Unity of San Angelo Church at 651-6830