Streams of Mercy

The 16th Annual Interfaith Service proved to be a great blessing this year, as in years past. This annual event is designed to bring the whole community into a setting in which various traditions share their gratitude for the blessings of this nation and this world.

Unitarian, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and the Community of Mindful Living prayers of thanksgiving were offered, as we celebrated the diversity among us in faith and life. A Thanksgiving Offering of canned goods and nonperishable food items was given to The Sandhills/Moore coalition for Human Care.

The sounding of the Shofar and the Adhan called us to worship. The ”Hinei Ma Tov” celebrated these words from Psalm 133: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together.” As we sang together over and over, with increasing passion and fervor, we leaned more deeply into the blessing of that truth. We sang “May I Be Peaceful” first for ourselves, and then for others and finally for all life on this earth – plants, animals, etc.

We gave thanks for the diversity of the American culture, closing with these words:

The cultural atmosphere of the United States will mean new and broader ways of seeing our neighbors, and freer and more generous ways of behaving toward them. It will bring into full play a healthy, creative tension, challenging all groups and individuals to work with one another in contributing from their own life to the good of ALL. Open our eyes, O God, that we may see Your divine image in ALL and gratefully accept the gifts that each race, creed, and nationality brings to our American life.

At the sounding of the Temple Bell, a Buddhist tradition sending our prayers out to the world, we went out in Shalom/Salam/Peace, to form a Unity Circle, and together, we sang:

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me; Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God our creator, children all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, may this be my solemn vow: To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

May we become a part of the answer to this heartfelt prayer we sang together on this special day.

Elizabeth