On Thanksgiving, Coming Together More Important Than Ever

Dear friends,

This Thanksgiving, I am preparing to head home to my family and gorge myself on piles of amazing food. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry chutney, cherry cheesecake, pumpkin pie… the feast is incredible! Due to the amazing people around me and the wonderful fortune I enjoy, the gifts and blessings I have before me are virtually endless. Every day, I am thankful!

While many people may only eat and drink and be merry, we are also remembering those who cannot eat, who do not have access to clean water, who have a tough time celebrating while grappling with poverty or war. So this week, I am deeply thankful for the courageous and compassionate work that so many active interfaith leaders, at Hamline and around the world, are doing together.

Hundreds, thousands of people, all over the world, right now, are coming together to promote peace, solidarity, unity, and social justice. They are working across geopolitical lines, but also across interfaith lines. They are religious pluralists.

For example, this week:

Israelis and Palestinians Join Together to Pray for Rain

“On Tuesday, over 30 Israeli, Palestinian, and Druze women took part in a silent walking meditation dedicated to bringing rain to the area. Women came out to the Haas Promenade in Jerusalem with umbrellas for the walk.”

Israeli, Palestinian, and Druze women participate in a walk for rain in Jerusalem on Nov. 23, 2010.

Rabbi Menachem Froman at a Muslim-Jewish prayer for rain in West Bank village of Walajeh on Nov. 11, 2010.

Such a beautiful show of solidarity in the face of higher needs should be an example to us all. When enjoying our Thanksgiving meals this week, let’s all remember to come together as members of all faiths and traditions, and let’s all bring every part of ourselves to the table. Together, we can do better work!

Last but not least, I’d like to remind everyone of our upcoming events:

December 2: Religion and Politics
December 9: Elements: Fire

Plus, on December 3, the “Better Together” Steering Committee is meeting with the Taking Root free-case refugee resettlement program to plan our future volunteer involvement, so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming spring events!

Enjoy a relaxing holiday,

Multifaith Alliance