Interfaith Harmony Day

10/16/2023

Free Concert!!

05/11/2023

Handling Life’s Transitions Well

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the many major life transitions we go through…and how we handle them.

They come at us early—when children start school, when they enter middle school, high school, or leave home for college. Marriage is also a huge change. And transitions can come later in life—when children leave the nest, when you lose your job, when you hit middle age (mid-life crisis!), you retire, or your spouse passes away. These challenges are not always of our own choosing and can often feel traumatic, causing great anxiety.

We went through a big transition last year when we retired to the St. George area. We found it challenging to move far from a familiar place where we felt comfortable and start over in a different area--trying to make new friends and, basically, re-establishing ourselves. At this age, change can be hard! Not to mention the stress or the recurring feeling, “Are my best years behind me?”

The thing that’s getting us through is our faith. We prayed to our Heavenly Father about our choice to be here and received a definitive answer from Him—so we acted. And He continues to give us the strength to keep going and make the most of our situation. He will never abandon us. He will also help us turn our weaknesses into strengths, as we approach Him with humility. Transitions are a time to grow our spiritual strength. Time and perspective also help. And unexpected blessings often emerge.

A wise woman once said, “Every transition, every change, gives us a chance to choose again to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the principles of His gospel. According to Isaiah, the Lord has promised…’Fear thou not; for I am with thee….For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand…; I will help thee.’” (Isaiah 41:10, 13)

Just remember change is always around the corner. It’s a part of life. And it can be a good thing. Find the positives that can come from difficult situations and actively look for the tender mercies that follow. Be grateful and count your blessings—daily. Focus on the future and turn to God to help see you through. Through prayer, He is always there.

Michelle King
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

04/26/2023

Remembering the Message to bring Kindness to All People

Kindness is seen in many ways throughout the Torah (the Five Books of Moses).

Rabbi Hillel (first century B.C.E- 25 C.E) says:

“Be disciples of Aaron,

loving peace and pursuing grace,

Loving people and drawing them near to the Torah.” (Pirke Avot/Sayings from the Forefathers: 1:12)

Another of many repetitions of kindness one finds, “V'ahavta l’ray’akha kamomkh” - “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Vayikra 19”18). Rabbi Akiba (50- 135) taught the mitzvah/righteous actions to love your neighbor as yourself is the single, fundamental principle in the Torah. Following one principle alone will lead a person to an ethical life. This reductionist view of the Torah is powerful in making it both accessible and relevant throughout time. Thus reduced to its essence, the Torah as a whole can then be viewed as elaboration of the Ten Commandments. The Talmud (the civil and ceremonial laws of the Mishnah and Gemara), in elaborating further, records the request Rabbi Hillel received from a potential convert (Shabbat 31 a). The man asked Rabbi Hillel to teach him the whole Torah while standing on one foot. Rabbi Hillel did so by telling him to do unto others, as he would have done unto him.

Another modern scholar, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel was one of the leading Jewish theologians and Jewish philosophers of the 20th century once stated:

“Are we the “messengers who forgot the message” - the message being “Love your neighbor as yourself”? (Vayikra 19:18)

Today, some of us are seeing various appalling behaviors from a diversity of people throughout our country and around the world. Darkness could possibly be lessened by being a warmer, caring and kinder human being. Let us be the messengers who remember the message, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” May our help to support and sustain each of us as we strive to enrich our lives with love and knowledge; with mitzvot and tikkun olam (repairing of the world); with concern for others, by remembering To Be A Kinder Human Being!

Article for the St. George Interfaith Council Website April 2023

Rabbi Helene Ainbinder

04/12/2023

1st ANNUAL INTERFAITH HARMONY NIGHT CONCERT & CELEBRATION
(Sponsored by St. George Interfaith Council & St. George Interfaith Choir)
Saturday, February 25 – 7 PM Saint George Catholic Church Kuzy Hall
“From things that differ comes the most beautiful harmony.” ~ Greek Philosopher, Heraclitus
And so it was this evening when the Interfaith Choir and voices from our own Saint George Catholic Church and Samoan Community joined with the Methodist, Presbyterian, Center for Spiritual Living, and Keynotes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in an expression of unified diversity.
The Interfaith Council was organized in St. George the same year, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly designated the first week of February as World Interfaith Harmony Week. Saturday evening’s event brought 13 different faiths together, each with a poster of how their individual congregation expresses and lives the “Golden Rule”. Kathy Snyder from our Catholic faith addressed questions and inquiries from those attending, both before and following the concert.
Carole Drake, Pastoral Assistant and President of the Interfaith Council served as MC for the evening. Shadman Bashir, of the Muslim faith and Council Vice President offered the opening prayer. Retired Methodist Pastor, Buddy Herrington offered the closing prayer. In addition to those faith communities already identified, members of Baha’i, Buddhist, Unitarian, Quakers, Episcopal, Solomon’s Porch, Jewish and Lutheran were present. Participants and concert goers numbered 500.
Recap of our 2023 event and plans for 2024 are underway. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

02/18/2023

Great article: Join us 2/25/2023 for our Interfaith Harmony Day! See posts below this article!

Story about Americans' knowledge of religious groups.

02/11/2023

Interfaith Harmony Concert & Celebration will be held on Saturday, February 25 at 7 PM in Kuzy Hall of the Saint George Catholic Church. Two wonderful parts in this unique evening: First, music will be provided by 6 musical groups.

1. St George Interfaith Choir
2. Good Shepherd Presbyterian Choir
3. Saint George Catholic Church Bilingual Choir
4. Center for Spiritual Living
5. Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church Choir
6. Keynotes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Second cool part of this unique Interfaith Harmony celebration will be the opportunity to visit with and ask questions about 12 different religions.
A representative of each religion will be standing next to a poster that will list the basic beliefs and their expression of “The Golden Rule.” Refreshments will be served as guests visit at the posters with the religious representatives. Included in this group of religions are Methodist, Presbyterian, Buddhist, Muslim, Episcopal, Catholic, Unitarian, Lutheran, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Solomon’s Porch, Jewish and more…
Food offerings will be collected and given to Our Mother’s Food Pantry at the Saint George Catholic Church.
Come celebrate with the St George Interfaith Council and Choir the spirit of unity that we enjoy in our community. We will together join with all the world religions, which at their core recognize that we are all in this together and that we need to love and support one another to live in harmony and peace.
Questions can be directed to Harmony Day Chairperson Laura Fairchild at [email protected] or 408 805-2381.

01/30/2023

A great example of Interfaith Harmony Short film: about 30 minutes long

Almost 150 years ago, in the booming mining town of Silver Reef, Father Lawrence Scanlan happened to make the acquaintance of visiting surveyor John Macfarla...