COVID IS CHANGING THE 2020 DUXBURY INTERFAITH HOLIDAY BASKET PROJECT
For over 30
years the Duxbury Interfaith Council has helped over 100 Duxbury families with
a turkey and all the trimmings for their Thanksgiving and the Winter holiday
dinners.Along with food help, the
Council provided family members gifts for the winter holiday.
This year,
the Interfaith Council is going to give gift cards only.It was a difficult decision, but the safest
one at this time.
The DIC Gift
Team is collecting gift cards that will be distributed to families so they can
shop for themselves.There will be
collection boxes for gift cards at most local churches, many businesses and the
Senior Center.
DIC
representatives will also be outside Brothers on November 21 and December 5 to
collect gift cards and monetary donations
In the midst of crisis, it is more important than ever that we stand together. From wherever you are, join the members of the Duxbury Interfaith Council each Sunday at noon in prayer for health and healing.
Duxbury Interfaith Council invitation to prayer Sundays at noon from wherever you are, however you pray. Church bells will ring, and we will all stop for a moment.
I went to the Shabbat service I wrote about in the previous post, and I'm so glad I did. It was good to stand in solidarity even just in a small way. We need to stick together, speak up against evil, and work towards healing and unity.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I never thought I'd need to preach about antisemitism. Oh, how naive... but I am not alone in my overoptimism. "Never again," we all say, but incidents are on the rise.
Last night was also the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht. It wasn't mentioned in the service, but it came up in conversation earlier. There has been quite a bit on Twitter lately, so I was aware of it in a way I might not have otherwise been.
As a matter of fact, someone posted a story along with some old photographs from that hideous event, photos found after the death of a grandfather who had fought in WWII (The thread starts here: https://twitter.com/ElishevaAvital/status/1060914913328148480). Difficult to see, but more than worth the read. It's pretty amazing to scroll down and find the Holocaust Museum saying - nearly live - yes, we are very interested in these. I hesitate to call such a find a treasure, as it's of something so awful, but... lest we forget... and we are... or even deny its happening (how? but a few still do), such images need to be kept and displayed.
I found a good article here that includes history and pictures.
And in my beloved France, antisemitism continues as well:
Ugh.
HOWEVER, we can and will work together to move our world into a better place. We are, actually. And one of the hope-filled offerings in that service Friday was the opportunity to sing this song: Salaam (Od yavo shalom aleinu), which means "Peace will come to us."
Peace. We need it in so many ways, between so many different groups of people. And it needs to begin with us, to paraphrase the old song.
Rabbi Cohen sent the lyrics & translation along with a link to a site with four versions (music videos), including the original, from which comes the short description above. The words are easy to pick up, especially since the beginning of the song is slow, and then it gets faster and faster. Singing it can be good prayer, and indeed, having practiced it, I sang it all the way to the service and partway home. I commend it to you.
OD YAVO SHALOM ALEINU/ PEACE WILL COME TO US Od yavo' shalom aleinu / Peace will come upon us Od yavo' shalom aleinu / Peace will come upon us Od yavo' shalom aleinu / Peace will come upon us Ve al kulam (x2) /and on everyone. Salaam (Salaam) Aleinu ve al kol ha olam, Salaam, Salaam (x2)
Here's the original, with cool background music.
And here's one by an a capella group, The Maccabeats. Bonus points for the group name and for the a capella version. (I loved singing in my a capella group in college.)
And the last I'm posting because I love this soloist, Adam Stotland, who is just going to town with it. Also it's with a back-up Gospel choir from Montreal - what a combination of cultures all in one, there! Which is what we need.
So sing. Sing it again. Sing it with energy and hope. Sing this prayer for peace over and over, making it your own and joining it to mine and that of so many others. By the grace and mercy of God, may peace be upon us all and upon our world.
I'd like to share with you this invitation to a service hosted by our local synagogue in Marshfield, among whose members are people from Duxbury. I'll be participating, as Rabbi Cohen has invited several local church leaders to join him. Please consider joining us in this service in support of the community at this time of grief. We need to stand together against antisemitism and all forces of hatred - now more than ever.
Please join us at Congregation Shirat Hayam for a Shabbat of Unity Friday, November 9th at 6:45 in the shared worship space at Sanctuary Church, 185 Plain St., Marshfield, MA.
In the wake of recent racially motivated and anti-semitic murders, Rabbi Cohen, along with other local religious leaders, will lead a Sabbath service of affirmation of our shared commitment to the belief that we are all created in the image of God.
Please join us in this service of songs, prayers, readings and reflections.
For more information contact Shirat Hayam at (781) 582-2700.
A Joint Holy Week and Easter Message from the Archbishops of Armagh
The Most Revd Richard Clarke & The Most Revd Eamon Martin
“The truth will set you free.” John 8:32
At the core of the trial of Jesus, Pontius Pilate asks a question, self–servingly and flippantly, “What is truth?” Pilate scoffs at Jesus’ idea of bearing witness to the truth. From Pilate’s position of power, truth is optional, inconsequential even; truth can be defined how one wants.
In many ways it seems as though the same attitude to truth prevails in the world of today. People talk of being “economical” with the truth, of “mis–speaking” instead of “lying”, and of “fake news” as the news that is inconvenient. The truth, the whole truth about the past can be covered up, manipulated, revised and presented to suit the agendas of the powerful today. But truth matters infinitely. Christians must not be content to keep silent in a world where truth has almost become a disposable commodity – occasionally of value, but capable of being twisted or discarded when awkward, disturbing or embarrassing.
Humanity searches for answers to the truth about our identity and purpose – who are we, where do we come from, how should I live, what is right, what is wrong, what happens when this life is over? For Christian disciples the answers to these questions are ultimately to be found in the dramatic events of the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. It is Truth that is at the heart of the story of Holy Week and Easter. Jesus Christ goes to the Cross because he is the embodiment of Truth, betrayed by grubby ambition and squalid self–interest. The Resurrection is the ultimate vindication of the Truth that the God who is Love will in the end prevail over darkness, hatred and suffering.
The great German theologian and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, preaching in Berlin as Hitler was coming to power, reflected on Pontius Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” He said that although we may ask for the truth, there is also a Truth that is asking for us, seeking us out. We may live in a miasma of half–truths and untruths, but the Truth that is Christ himself is challenging us, on a daily basis, to take our place at his side in the name of unconditional truth and of absolute integrity.
In these weeks, we have an opportunity to delve deeper into the mystery of the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord and allow ourselves to be taken over by the Truth who seeks us out. In opening ourselves up to Jesus who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life”, we can courageously face the truth of our own lives, and become people who live by, and bear witness to the Truth.
May God in Christ bless you all.
+Richard +Eamon
Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh
Once again, we are collecting donations of food and gifts as part of the DIC's community work. There is information on various ways to participate in the flier pictured below. Furthermore, we are also planning to collect donations of food outside Foodies Market in Halls Corner on Saturday, December 10, from 8AM-12PM. If you prefer, you may help by sending a check to the Duxbury Interfaith Council, PO Box 1161, Duxbury, MA 02331.
Just wanted to share the announcement about another vigil tonight. I'll be at the one in Duxbury, but those of you who might be near Hingham should know of this opportunity to join the wider community in prayer.
This is the description via the Episcopal church in Hingham.
Here is the one from the UCC church's Facebook page.
God of Peace, now more than ever, we need to stand together against violence and hatred. Change our hearts. Prevent us from taking advantage of this horror to work against others who differ from us, whoever they may be. Show us the changes we must make in our society to help such events to cease, and give us the will to enact them. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Look at this! I wish I could go. but between obligations and the distance, I don't think it's going to work. I will console myself by remembering that I have been on a couple of mosque tours before, including one of the new mosque in Roxbury near the old convent. Now this is the way to work for peace and mutual understanding. If you are near Worcester, MA, go!
As we all surely know, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday. In the Episcopal Church calendar, we have two days on which we can remember him. Thursday, January 15, is the alternate date; April 4 the primary one. The Sisters of St. Margaret will be remembering him tomorrow.
Big events going on everywhere. The photo above is attached to an announcement about events at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Naturally, there are less well publicized events right here in eastern MA.
Here is the first event I am excited about. (When did I start getting excited about preaching and anti-racisim panels?) I'm putting out a sign-up sheet to take a carload of Sisters up to Boston with me.
Then, on Monday, some of us will be attending the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Prayer Breakfast sponsored by the Duxbury Interfaith Council. If you are from the area, please join us.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Prayer Breakfast Duxbury Interfaith Council
With so much that has happened this year and all these needless deaths bringing our ingrained racism into the spotlight, it's important that we spend time in prayer - always, of course, but especially this weekend. This cultural situation need not continue. There can be healing. It's going to take a lot of repentance and work for justice, though - it won't fix itself. We've tried that...
If Martin Luther King and all those who had the courage to march back then could remember that in God, there is always hope, then so can we. With God, nothing is impossible. We just need to participate. God's not going to make us do it.
I learned today that his final sermon was at the Washington National Cathedral.
A closing excerpt from Dr. King's final sermon, which was at the Washington National Cathedral:
We shall
overcome because James Russell Lowell is right—as we were singing earlier
today,
Truth
forever on the scaffold,
Wrong
forever on the throne.
Yet that
scaffold sways the future.
And behind
the dim unknown stands God,
Within the
shadow keeping watch above his own
.
With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of
despair the stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling
discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.
Thank God for John, who centuries
ago out on a lonely, obscure island called Patmos caught vision of a new
Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God, who heard a voice saying,
"Behold, I make all things new; former things are passed away."
God grant that we will be
participants in this newness and this magnificent development. If we will but
do it, we will bring about a new day of justice and brotherhood and peace. And
that day the morning stars will sing together and the sons of God will shout
for joy. God bless you.
Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last; Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Feast of Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Once again the Duxbury Senior Center and the Friends of the Duxbury Council on Aging will be hosting their BLACK TIE BINGO night on January 24, 2015. This is a very important fundraiser for the Duxbury Interfaith Council and allows them to provide heat and the basic necessities of life to those in need. It is our plan to raise over $15,000 to assist 100 families, 400-500 people!
There will be raffles throughout the night to raise the money needed, and we are looking for donations of tickets for professional or college sporting events, concerts, etc. If you have season subscriptions, we would be extremely appreciative of any donation. You will help warm the homes of many. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. You may contact us at 781-934-5774.
About the fuel assistance program, also via the Clipper:
Fuel Assistance Gift Certificates
Got heat? Many people struggle to stay warm during the cold winter months. The Duxbury Interfaith Council has a Fuel Assistance Program, which assists low-income households in paying their home heating bills. This program runs through Apr. 30, 2015 for Duxbury residents, over the age of 60, who have been approved for fuel assistance. To help fund this program, the Duxbury Senior Center is selling gift certificates. These make great holiday gifts for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list, teachers, and hostess gifts. It’s a lovely gift to purchase in someone’s memory, too. Stop by the senior center’s front desk to purchase gift certificates or call for information: 781-934-5774 ext. 100.
I began this blog as I prepared to leave for a seminary field education placement in a parish in Haiti, creating it as a way of sharing my experiences and reflections over the summer with people at home and continuing it upon my return.
I finally returned to Haiti in 2011. So much in a short time. I returned to the US in 2013, but something tells me I'll be back. Meanwhile, there is still so much I intended to share while I was there. I hope some of it will make it onto this blog. A piece of my heart is always in Haiti, and I hope some of yours will be, too. Pray for Haiti, please. So much is needed; with God, so much is possible.
Meanwhile, there are ample opportunities for ministry here, and plenty of discoveries to make. There are beautiful things to consider, birds to watch, and concerns to share. And I am never short of curiosity to lead me into all sorts of odd corners. In all of it, God is present. Welcome to the adventure.
* * *
This is a personal blog. Nothing in it is an official statement from the Sisters of St. Margaret, the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, or any other organization.
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