With all the happenings in the world we need to ask ourselves what FREEDOM means to us. We just celebrated our country’s freedom and lost women’s freedom. FREEDOM is a RIGHT for All people, regardless of color, culture, ethnicity, faith, gender or gender preference. If we are being denied our right to make free choices, then we are not living in a country that spouts freedom with words and not with actions. In the recent events where rulings say women do not have power of choice, I believe we have de-evolved.

“If you don’t accept that bodily automony is an essential unconditional liberty, it’s a waste of time talking to you at all. No other liberties survive without that one, more fundamental than property rights. If you don’t own yourself absolutely, you own nothing. If every time men had sex, they risked death, physical disability, social shunning, a life altering interruption of their education or career, and the sudden life-long responsibility for another being, I think they’d expect a choice in the matter.”

(author unknown)

From Rev. Dr. Abigail Albert

“The Hill We Climb”

“When day comes we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade,
The loss we carry a sea we must wade.
We have braved the belly of the beast.
We have learned that quiet isn’t always peace,
And the norms and notions of what just is isn’t always justice.
And yet, the dawn is hours before we knew it.
Somehow we do it.
Somehow we have weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished.
We, the successors of a country in a time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves
And raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president,
Only to find herself reciting for one.
And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine
But that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge our union with purpose,
To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.
And so we lift our gazes, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know to put our future first
We must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true,
That even as we grieved, we grew.
That even as we hurt, we hoped.
That even as we tired, we tried that we will forever be tied together.
Victorious!
Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.
Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree,
And no one shall make them afraid.
If we are to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lighten in the blade,
But in all of the bridges we have made.
That is the promise to glade, the hill be climbed.
If only we dare it because being American is more than a pride we inherit.
It is the past we step into and how we repair it.
We have seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it,
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed,
It can never be permanently defeated.
In this truth, in this faith we trust.
For while we had our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.
This is the era of just redemption. We feared it at its inception.
We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour,
But within it, we found the power to author a new chapter.
To offer hope and laughter to ourselves.
So, while once we asked how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe,
Now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?
We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be.
A country that is bruised, but whole. Benevolent, but bold. Fierce and free.
We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation,
Because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation.
Our blunders become their burdens.
But one thing is certain, if we merge mercy with might and might with the right,
Then love becomes our legacy and change our children’s birthright.
So let us leave behind the country better than the one we were left,
With every breath in my bronze-pounded chest,
We will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.
We will rise from the gold limbed hills of the west.
We will rise from the windswept northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution.
We will rise from the lake rimmed cities of midwestern states.
We will rise from the sunbaked south.
We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover in every known nook of our nation
And every corner called our country.
Our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful.
When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid.
A new dawn looms as we free it,
For there is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it,
If only we are brave enough to be it.”

by Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate at the Inauguration.2021

Dear Friends,
Three leaders in the San Diego faith communities gave inspiring thoughts to these three words LOVE, HOPE, FAITH in the Sunday San Diego Union Tribune, as they looked back on 2020 and ahead to 2021. Here are some excerpts of their messages. To read the complete article go to
The San Diego Union Tribune, “OPINION” section, December 13, 2020.

Imam Taha Hassane, Islamic Center of San Diego and member of POINT Interfaith Team
“As a Muslim, believing that my faith convers all aspects of life and shapes my view on life, humanity, divinity and afterlife, the new year-symbolizes and opportunity for reflection.
The first thing is Time. When I am given time, I am given an opportunity to live longer to fulfill my purpose., to serve the Creator and show mercy to the creation. Second is self-accountability, spiritual evaluation. Finally as I plan for my future, I ask myself these questions:
What do I want to achieve in the next year regarding my relationship with God, family, and community?
How can I improve myself and become a tool of inspiration and source of goodness?
What should I do to contribute to the betterment of my community, my nation and our world?
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, what is my role, as a faith leader, to ensure my community’s safety and well begin?
What more could I do to have my voice heard standing firmly for justice and challenging injustice.
I invite you to join me in these reflections.”

Bishop Robert McElroy, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
“Christ’s entry into the world is more than the revelation of a child born in innocence and hope. It is God’s consolation and comfort that in the most difficult moments of our lives, divine grace is intimately present. Religious hope is the conviction that in times of suffering and hardship God will find a way to accompany us as in these days of pandemic, economic struggle, sickness and isolation. We mirror the journey of Mary and Joseph. They had to leave behind their familiar home, come to a distant city to experience the birth of their first born child without support of family and friends. After the year we have all lived, increasing and sustaining joy and gratitude may be more challenging than ever, but amidst all the difficulty, we are reminded of the human capacity to find light, joy and miracles in our daily lives. May each of us have the courage to light our way with courage, resiliency, resolute faith and hope.”

Rabbi Yael Ridberg, Congregation Dor Hadash in San Diego
“We have been searching for miracles all year; an end to the suffering. To be able to embrace one another again and to gather without concern. This week Jews all over the world will light the eight-branch Hanukkah candelabra to remember and celebrate the unexpected miracle found in the depths of despair. The miraculous jar of oil found in the Temple desecrated by the Syrian Greeks should have only lasted for one day lasted eight days. The miracle of the first night was that of faith itself, faith that would enable the people to begin again. Hope is essential in the midst of despair. Hope is an act of defiance and an act of love. Joy is an expression of spiritual resistance and one of resilience. May each of us have the courage to find the flask of oil, however small to light our way forward together.”

Palomar Health made a video slideshow of prayers and well wishes from faiths around the world to support everyone during this time.  I was honored to be quoted in the presentation.  ENJOY and Stay Well!

Rev. Steve

 https://vimeo.com/416032779/beb484ca61 

COMING TOGETHER IN TIMES OF CRISIS

***

AFTER THE SHOOTING ATTACK on the CHABAD in POWAY, CA
The POINT Interfaith Team and the Poway Branch Library co-sponsored
this event with 6 speakers.

The main threads that wove through each presenter’s talk were:
Human life is sacred. We are ONE family.
Any crisis or tragedy that happens to one faith community is felt and affects All faith communities. We are ONE.
Before a Crisis:
Teach your children spiritual values and to respect all life.
Love yourself so you can love others.
Have a spiritual practice.
Don’t wait until tragedy occurs, go out and build strong and healthy relationships with people from other faiths. When tragedy occurs, we can stand with each other and support one another.
Educate the public about the various religions to bring down the fear and misconceptions they may have.
After a Crisis
Gather your community to pray/ meditate then take action.
Call and Ask , “How can I help you? What would you like me to do?”
Connect heart to heart.
Go beyond “dialogue” and BE OUT THERE getting the message out that each faith is sacred and have the same core values.

Photos
L-R
Sozui Sensei, Buddhist
Lakshmi Sukumar, Hindu
Gagandeep Kaur, Sikh
Rev. Cheri Metier, MC and President of POINT
Imam Taha Hassane, Islam
Rabbi Gabi Arad, Judaism
Dr. Jim Davies, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

***

SOLIDARITY IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Interfaith Solidarity in Response to the Attack on Chabad of Poway
By Susan L. Lipson

April 29, 2019

Since the shooting at Chabad of Poway (the Orthodox congregation in Poway, California), on April 27, people of all faiths, from Poway and throughout San Diego County, have rallied together for candlelight vigils and prayer services in support of their Jewish neighbors—“neighbors” being the operative word. Over 4000 people showed up on April 29 at Poway High School for a community vigil against hate, cosponsored by the Anti-Defamation League and Poway Unified School District. The most powerful answer to those who divide people into “Us versus Them” or “Right versus Wrong” or “Supreme versus Inferior” is interfaith solidarity.

The mission statement of the Poway Interfaith Team reads: “We believe diverse faith traditions in our communities add to the richness of life. When we meet and learn more about those who have faith traditions other than our own, we find many more similarities than differences. For example, every faith tradition’s holy books teach something similar to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ We support a culture of interfaith dialogue and inter-religious cooperation as a way of life in all communities throughout the San Diego region.” As a Poway Interfaith Team board member, representing Temple Adat Shalom, I define “interfaith solidarity” as follows:
Interfaith solidarity means to stand for peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among neighbors. Our bonds with our neighbors must be based on what all people value, LOVE, rather than on conflicts, as alliances forged from shared anger or resistance toward some mutual enemy or ideology. Interfaith solidarity means a showing of respect for all faiths, or, at the very least, a tolerance of others’ beliefs–the antithesis of “supremacy.” Too many religions inherently contribute to the notion of “supremacy” by implying that our religions have the “right” path to God. A banner at a local Unity church in San Diego caught my eye and my heart with this phrase: “One God, many paths.” THAT sums up “Interfaith solidarity.”

Solidarity was expressed in San Diego beginning last Saturday night, at the Rancho Bernardo Presbyterian Church, just a block from Chabad of Poway. Hundreds of people of all faiths assembled, after only a few hours’ notice following the shooting, to pray together for peace, healing, and love. The service, co-led by local Christian (Presbyterian and Episcopal) and Jewish (Reform) spiritual leaders was interactive and spiritual. Congregants were asked to move through the pews and introduce themselves to strangers, shaking hands and saying, “Peace be with you,” while looking into a stranger-friend’s eyes. During the prayer time, Reverend Mark McKone-Sweet, of nearby St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, directed us to close our eyes and pray in silence for ten minutes. What a strange feeling of luxury for me, as a Jew, that night: to relax into prayer, without stiffening and opening my eyes at the mere sound of a shutting door or someone accidentally dropping something on the floor. American Jews no longer have the luxury of resting with closed eyes amid a congregation of fellow Jews. When Cantor Lori Wilinsky-Frank, of Temple Adat Shalom of Poway, led the crowd in singing “Oseh Shalom,” a song asking God to grant us peace, hundreds of voices sang the word “shalom” together, and a healing energy swept through the sanctuary. And when congregants carried lit candles from the sanctuary into the courtyard, for a circular gathering that enabled us to see the faces of true neighbors, rather than the backs and profiles viewed from the pews, the warmth from more than candles embraced the crowd.

Two days later, at the vigil at Poway High School, thousands of people gave standing ovations to various speakers ranging from Jewish community leaders to first responders to government officials to diverse religious leaders, all broadcasting uplifting (even in sobering), messages of support, peace, and love to the Poway community. Participants swayed, arm in arm, atop the bleachers and in the seats on the football field while singing “This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land.” Hope for better tomorrows was felt in the announcement that this week in the local schools is the official #NoPlaceforHate week.

Interfaith relationships have the potential to erase the wariness of “Others” that is empowered by fear-mongers, who build walls instead of bridges between the diverse groups in our communities. Interfaith cooperation is essentially bridge-building. We need this cooperation now more than ever.

Our Poway Interfaith Team was called only weeks ago to support one of our Muslim member communities in Escondido after their mosque was set ablaze (allegedly by the same man who shot the Chabad worshippers). Vigils and volunteer interfaith security teams quickly formed to enable our Muslim neighbors to pray in peace. Likewise, our Muslim neighbors and leaders showed up six months ago for multiple vigils in San Diego in memory of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting victims. This past weekend, I heard talk among the Interfaith community about beefing up vigilance for the Latino churches in our neighborhoods, because immigrants, Muslims, and Jews are all targets of white supremacists in our particular area of California. Christians in the USA are not immune to hate crimes, either, as evidenced by the recent brutal attacks on African-American Christian churches, based not necessarily on the worshippers’ religion, but more so on their skin color. Despite the white supremacists’ false claims of upholding Christian values, the majority of peaceful, loving, American Christians do not recognize them as people of faith, just as the majority of peaceful, loving, American Muslims do not recognize the haters who have polluted their faith by claiming it as justification for murder.

Interfaith leaders strive to avoid polluting our programs and cooperative efforts with politics. It is sometimes hard to separate the ideals and beliefs about respectful coexistence from national and international issues. But the goal of our Interfaith community is not to make people accept our beliefs—only to accept our right to have beliefs that differ from theirs, while we all strive to coexist peacefully. The enemy of peace seems to be the very notion of supremacy: the assumption that any human being is worth more than another.

Susan L. Lipson
Author, Editor, & Writing Teacher
“A memorable novel is a gift of vicarious experiences, from author to reader.” (S. L. Lipson)
www.susanllipsonauthor.com
www.susanllipson.blogspot.com
www.susanllipsonwritingteacher.blogspot.com

Photos of Prayer Vigils

STANDING IN SOLIDARITY

PRAYER VIGIL for a Jewish Family

Last night at the corner of Poway Rd and Community Rd. in Poway, CA.
We were:
‘All for One and One for All’ at a Candlelight Prayer and Song Vigil
to support a Jewish family whose home was vandalized two nights ago with a swastika painted on their house, and their car covered with Kerosene.
Luckily a family member got up in the middle of the night, saw what was happening, and chased the two men away. If the family member had not gotten up, the car would have burned and possibly the house as well.
Christians, Muslims, New Thought, other faiths and members from POINT, the Poway City Council and Interfaith Worker Justice San Diego, stood solidly with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Abigail Albert brought extra candle votives for everyone. Thank you to Maryann Bacilla for organizing this vigil and Abigail for getting the word out. There were at least 80 people in attendance. Cars and trucks honked their support as everyone waved their candle lights. A member of the Chabad brought a huge menorah and it was lit to celebrate the second day of Hanukkah. Rabbi Goldstein poignantly said,
“If the Jewish people had not won the battle, there would be no Jews, therefore no Christians or Muslims.”

The Facebook link is here:
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%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F
brooke.seibert%2Fposts%2F10212938041874518&
data=02%7C01%7C%7C9b0291e34d0848367dca08d659627685%7
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&sdata=CzOCh%2FCXE6%2B0yLxdHOm5uMCWan114oTd1wbxr
Wn8hEM%3D&reserved=0

*** 

Stand up for All Faiths, Creed, Colors, Races, Gender, All People, and Animals, Everywhere.

  Letter to San Diego Mayor Faulconer

Dear Mayor Faulconer and Members of the Council:
“We, the undersigned leaders of San Diego-area religious communities, write this letter to you, leaders of city government, as an expression of  ur concern and commitment.
We have been deeply troubled by the often-hateful rhetoric of the recent presidential campaign. Threats of mass deportation, derogatory references to women, false generalizations regarding Muslims, disparaging remarks about persons of Mexican heritage, and challenges to the acceptance of persons who are LGBT have left millions of neighbors fearful for their future in this country. At the same time, we recognize that there are many persons on all ends of the political spectrum who feel left out in our fast-changing society.
As people of religious faith, we affirm that every person deserves to be treated with the dignity that comes from being created by God. Because our traditions teach us to welcome the stranger, we declare our support for refugees and immigrants. Because our traditions emphasize compassion, we declare our solidarity with groups that feel under attack, including Muslims. Together we affirm that diversity of race, religion, and culture is a strength of this city and this nation. Together we affirm that the measure of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.
We who sign this letter-Catholic, Mainline Protestant, and Evangelical Christians, New Thought, Muslims, Jews, and Unitarian Universalists-are incredibly diverse. We do not always agree on answers to the complex issues facing our society. And we are, therefore, acutely aware of the need for civil, respectful dialogue among those who disagree politically. This, too, is a key religious value.
We cannot, however, be silent when vulnerable neighbors feel threatened, whether by individual acts or governmental policies. The values we hold as people of religious faith will compel us to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. This is a crucial role for religious communities, one you need us to fulfill: to be a voice for those whose voice often goes unheard.
Our purpose in writing is to make public our concern and commitment, as well as our hope that you, our elected officials, share the values expressed above and will act accordingly.
Sincerely,”
(96 Names of Religious Leaders )

***

Praying Together at an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

***

Building Bonds by Uplifting All People through Social Justice.

Rev. Dr. Steve and Rev. Dr. Abigail and many people of all faith traditions came to hear the Women Janitors of San Diego share their stories. We support an pay raise and more safe work conditions!

***

Building Friendship and Understanding Through Education and Hospitality

Dialogue & Dessert at the Buddhist Temple of San Diego on Market St.
Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo spoke  on Buddhism in this  beautiful sanctuary. We always enjoy hearing her speak. She is a beautiful emissary for inclusiveness.
Lekshe is also a USD professor teaching Buddhism and World Religions.

***
SPRING SYMPOSIUMS –
Building bonds of friendship  as we learn about each other through panels, lectures, dialogue and table activities

Panelists: Sydelle Enyeart, Unification; Mormon; Rabbi Nadav Caine, Judaism; Gurinder Singh, Sikh; Bob Pruchnik, Roman Catholic; Rev. Dt. Steve Albert,              New Thought.

***

POWAY INTERFAITH TEAM

Building Interfaith Relations through a Shared Thanksgiving Service and Standing Together in the midst of turmoil and crisis

The Poway Interfaith Team (POINT) stands together with the Muslim Community and calls all people to bring an end to hate speech and actions against those who      practice Islam.
POINT emphasizes the importance of joining other voices in a stand against acts of violence and acts of racial, religious, and cultural discrimination.  We condemn acts of violence by radical groups who do not have a faith even though they claim they do.

The focus of The Poway Interfaith Team is to promote community awareness, and understanding of different faith traditions.  Diversity and acceptance of our many faiths and cultures are the fabric of our nation’s tradition.  There is strength through education and by standing in solidarity with others to promote understanding, peace and justice in this world.   Educating ourselves about the true teachings of Islam will bring the understanding needed to separate what radicals believe and what true Muslims believe.
Saying terrorists practice the teachings of Islam is like saying the Klu Klux Klan practice the teachings of Christiantiy.   Both are false and absurd.
Religious discrimination comes from misinterpreting holy writings; that only serves to harm all of humanity.

The Poway Interfaith Team is deeply concerned by these acts. We believe diverse faith traditions in our communities add to the richness of life. When we meet and learn more about those who have faith traditions other than our own, we find many more similarities rather than differences.

POINT stands with many others who believe God is Love, Compassion, and Order. God wants us to live in harmony with each other and, “to love one another as He has loved us.” (John 13:34).   The Koran 25:63 says, “The servants of the Compassionate are they who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them they answer, ‘Peace!”

The Poway Interfaith Team calls on persons of all faiths to pray for civility and respect. We urge every citizen to discuss these unacceptable terrorist acts with your family and friends and even your neighbors to bring about greater harmony in our communities.

Peace, Blessings and Greater Understanding,

Abigail

Rev. Dr. Abigail Albert
Executive Director, Poway Interfaith Team