What is Solidarity?

“Solidarity has always been more powerful that justice as human glue, for justice is abstract and rational, while solidarity is concrete and mystical.” – Peter Kreeft

In a show of solidarity, members of the local American Jewish Committee joined in prayer with parishioners at St. Leo’s Catholic Church last Sunday. The parish is comprised primarily of immigrant and refugee parishioners. As one member put it, “The United States turned away Jews who were sent home to death. We can never let this happen again.”

Sometimes we can’t fully explain what happens when we come together in solidarity. But, when it happens, there is a new unexpected space that opens up.  It is mystical, but it happens, and therefore it is concrete. Solidarity is something that is so beautiful that we can only say that it is truly divine. Solidarity is beyond what is legal and  contractual; it is relational and covenantal.  

The Things that Can destroy America: Trump’s Actions towards Immigrants & Refugees

“ The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first and love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life.” Theodore Roosevelt

The recent actions by President Trump and his executive order towards immigrants and refugees have sparked faith organizations to take action. No only action, but collaborative action.  Why? Because it is a part of our common faith.  As a mother and youth minister, it is my job to welcome the child who has felt isolated, left out, and need of friendship. It is my job to build a home and community.  It is my job to teach my students and my children to be that person who may have to stand up at times to defend the weak, give voice to the voiceless and to break down barriers to build a stronger community.  From the scriptures that I love, defend and teach to my youth, I find consistent and repeated passages welcoming the stranger.

”Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Heb 13:2)

“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”  (Romans 15:7)

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”  (Matt 25:32)

 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”   (Lev 19:33-34)

As faithfilled citizens, we have a duty to our faith and our country.  We do need to be on guard those things that can destroy American as Theodore Roosevelt warned us over 100 years ago.  At what price are we trying to protect our borders, our peace and our wealth? 

From Johnathan Sacks, The Home We Build Together, “What then is society? It is where we set aside all considerations of wealth and power and value people for what they are and what they give.   It is where Jew and Christian, Muslim and Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh, can come together, bound by their commonalities, enlarged by their differences.  It is where we join in civil conversation about the kind of society we wish to create for the sake of our grandchildren not yet born.  It is where we share an overarching identity, a first language of citizenship, despite our different second languages of ethnicity or faith.  It is where strangers can become friends.  It is not a vehicle of salvation, but it is the most effective form yet devised for respectful coexistence. Society is the home we build together when we bring our several gifts to the common good.”

We all have the responsibility to build our common home and there are many ways of taking action from letter writing campaigns, Know Your Neighbor events, to establishing our churches as “sanctuaries.”  There are several organizations working together, pledging to not allow American to be destroyed.  Groups like Trilogue of Faith, AJC, Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, CAIR, Christ Church Cathedral, Islamic Center of Cincinnati and many more are taking steps to build a better home for our country.

Explore the gift of quiet at the Transfiguration Spirituality Center

The Transfiguration Spirituality Center (TSC) is located in Glendale, Ohio, an easy drive from communities in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.   Identified by its guests as ‘a peaceful place’, the Center is a ministry of the Community of the Transfiguration (a religious community for women in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition).  TSC provides retreat and meeting space for groups and individuals seeking time apart from daily life for a few hours or a few days.  Our facilities are available for groups and individuals of all faiths and no faith.  We welcome all who seek peace.

For individuals or groups seeking a time to gather, reflect and grow, TSC provides:

• Attractive, private overnight accommodations in lovely surroundings

• Comfortable rooms for meeting and socializing

• Lovely grounds, including a labyrinth

• A quality dining experience

• Worship opportunities in two beautiful chapels

• Easy access from highways and free parking

• Accessibility for people with mobility issues

Offering hospitality by welcoming groups and individuals is a significant part of our ministry. We also strive to bring in retreat leaders who can invite individuals into a deeper conversation as part of a spiritual path.  In 2016 we were delighted to co-sponsor with Christ Church Cathedral, the Rev. Becca Stevens, Director of Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2017 we will be sponsoring and collaborating with others for several retreats:

• February 3-5  The Rev. Jane Vennard will lead a retreat on spiritual practices, “Spiritual Practices to Nuture your Soul”

• February 6-10 & 10-12 Retreats based on the work of Brene Brown, led by the Rev. Mary Laymon, certified facilitator in Brown’s ‘Daring Way’ and ‘Rising Strong’ workshops

• April 13-16 An opportunity to share three of the holiest days in the Christian calendar in community

• May 19-21 Retreat led by Kathleen Dowling Singh “The Grace in Living”

• September 29-October 1 The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts-Schori will lead a retreat reflecting on “Creation and Climate: Just Living or Living Justly?”

• Quarterly mid-week self-directed quiet days for individuals to come for a time away from their daily routine.  

In addition to the Transfiguration Spirituality Center, the grounds are home to Bethany School and the Convent for the Community of the Transfiguration. Please come for a visit. Arrangements can be made through email at ctretreats@gmail.com or by phone at 513.771.2171. Learn more and subscribe to our e-newletter at ctretreats.org.

An Ignatian Journey to the Holy Land: Historical Cultural and Interfaith Perspectives

All from the Greater Cincinnati community are very welcome to participate in a wonderful study abroad opportunity sponsored by Xavier University, “An Ignatian Journey to the Holy Land: Historical, Cultural and Interfaith Perspectives.” The travel dates are May 15-29, 2017. The trip will be led by Dr. Sarah Melcher, Dr. Kristine Suna-Koro, and Dr. Patricia Tull.  Join alumni and friends of Xavier University in exploring the complex history of the region, the growth of the three monotheistic faiths side by side, and the impact of religion in the land. Please see the attached flyer and itinerary. Questions, please contact Sarah Melcher, melcher@xavier.edu. You may register at the following link:   http://www.xavier.edu/study-abroad/Alumni-Friends-Programs.cfm

Violence and Peace are at the origin of two opposite ways to building society.”~Vatican Radio

 Pope Francis, in his message for the 50th World Day of Peace, asked for nonviolence as a style of peace.  Violence is not the cure for our broken world.  “May charity and nonviolence govern how we treat each other as individuals, within society and in international life.  When victims of violence are able to resist the temptation to retaliate, they become the most credible promoters of nonviolent peacemaking.”  Nonviolence does not mean to surrender or to take a passive role.   Pope Francis sites leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Khan Abdul Ghaffer Khan, Leymah Gbowee, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as role models for combating injustice.  

So what is our personal responsibility? We have to begin with our own family.  “The family is the indispensable crucible in which spouses, parents and children, brothers and sisters learn to communicate and to show generous concern for one another, and in which frictions and even conflicts have to be resolved not by force but by dialogue, respect, concern for the good of the other, mercy and forgiveness. From within families, the joy of love spills out into the world a radiates to the whole society.”    Pope Francis sees many religious traditions reflecting the same message of peace for which “compassion and nonviolence are essential elements point to the way of life.”  He concludes his message to the world by stating that, “No religion is a terrorist. Violence profanes the name of God.  Let us never tire of repeating, ‘The name of God cannot be used to justify violence.  Peace alone is holy.  Peace alone is holy, not war!’” 

 To further this message from the family to the community, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be celebrating Masses on January 1st in Celebration of the 50th World Day of Peace.  Several representatives from various faith traditions will be attending at this liturgy.  Pope Francis’ theme, “Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace” will be incorporated into the celebration by preceding it with a procession comprised of groups who advance nonviolence at various levels of society: family, faith, city, nation, world and creation.  Representing “faith,” Jewish, Muslim and Protestant Christian members of the MARCC board will represent efforts to promote local, interfaith dialogue and cooperation.  They will carry with them a candle, representing the light of peace, which is at the heart of all our faith traditions.

  You can read the Archbishop’s homily at the Telegraph here.

Landmark Cincinnati Exhibit to Be Displayed Permanently in Krakow Poland

by James Buchanan, Xavier University

“A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People” was conceived, built and premiered in Cincinnati. The 2300 square foot, multimedia exhibit was the result of a unique relationship between the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati and Xavier University. A relationship that has flourished through the years since the exhibit.The exhibit was conceived and built by people and organizations all over the world led by Dr. James Buchanan and Rabbi Abie Ingber of Xavier University and Dr. William Madges, who taught at Xavier at the time but now teaches at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. It opened at Xavier on May 19, 2005 on the occasion of what would have been Pope John Paul II’s 85thbirthday. The exhibit went on to tour the United States for the next 9 years in 18 venues from coast to coast where it was experienced by over a million people. In 2015 the exhibit traveled to Europe where it opened at the Vatican Museum on July 28th to great acclaim. At the closing ceremony at the Vatican in September of 2015, the exhibit was presented as a gift for permanent display at the new Saint John Paul II Center being built in Krakow Poland.

The message of the exhibit concerns the importance of interfaith dialogue and the role that Saint John Paul II played throughout his Papacy in fostering dialogue between all the world’s religions but particularly between the Catholic Church and Judaism. What is unique about Saint John Paul’s story as told in the exhibit is that all of the interfaith “firsts” he did as Pope were not decisions he made when he became Pope but the lessons he learned as a child growing up with Jewish friends such as Jerzy Kluger in Wadowice, Poland. Those firsts include the fact that Jerzy Kluger was his first private audience as Pope; that he was the first Pope to visit a Synagogue; the first Pope to make an official visit to Israel where he visited not only Christian sites but Jewish sites such as Yad Vashem and the Western Wall; and he was the first Pope to recognize the state of Israel. What Saint John Paul II did with Judaism extended to all of the world’s religions as made a point to meet with and listen to leaders of all faith traditions and as he twice sponsored interfaith celebrations of peace in Assisi, Italy.     

On November 21, 2016, Executive Director, James Buchanan and Robert Shelton, the site engineer, traveled to Krakow to do the initial stages of the installation in a space in the new museum that has been specially prepared for the exhibit. The museum will open sometime in 2017 where it will not only carry its message of the importance of interfaith dialogue and collaboration to the millions of pilgrims who will visit the site but will also be an important voice for the future generations of Poles and people from around the world about the dangers of anti-Semitism or prejudice against those of other faith traditions than our own. 

Read more about the Exhibit at www.blessingexhibit.org

On November 16th, the AJC Cincinnati hosted their 16th Annual Thanksgiving Diversity Lunch.  This event welcomed local ethnic, religious and international communities to celebrate our unique roots and shared values.   Special guest speaker and musician, Eddy Kwon, spoke about the value and personal transformation of music in the daily lives of the youth in Price Hill. Eddy Kwon is the Director MYCincinnati (Music for Youth in Cincinnati).  This is a free Orchestra that is offered to the children of Price Hill.  MyCincinnati started in 2011 with just 11 students and through perseverance, it has to over 120 students. He spends each day teaching music to middle school and high school students.  They use music as a means to express their story of their lives living in Price Hill.  MyCincinnati finds itself taking a more active role and recently hosted its first annual Price Hill Creative Community Festival.  Some highlights of their collaboration include Swedish Grammy-nominated songwriter Jens Lekman, pianist Awadagin Pratt, and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. They are continuing to explore new ways of sharing their art to the greater community.  Look for them!

Religious Diversity in the Workplace and in Schools- Whose Job is it?

by Judie Kuhlman 

In our changing cultural landscape and the rise of tensions throughout our country, a group of diverse Women of Faith have recognized that we can no longer play the silence card when it comes to our religious diversity.  So then, what role can we play?  They identified the need to dialogue with one another and create safe places in order to discuss our diversity.  On November 3rd the Women of Faith hosted their second annual event addressing the Women’s Role in our Changing Faith Community.  This event focused on the impact women can play in educating our community about Religious Diversity in our Schools and at Workplace. The Women of Faith hosted Deborah J. Levine who is an award-winning author and speaker of religious literacy.  She has written books including Religious Diversity in Our Schools  and Religious Diversity at Work: Guide to Religious Diversity in the US Workplace.

Through Levine’s experience, the majority of schools and workplaces do not know how to handle various religious practices, food, dress and holy days.  Levine advocates that our schools and work places “skillfully facilitate dialogues where participants can share key aspects of their beliefs…this can work wonders in debunking myths and stereotypes, build trust, and lessen the potential conflicts based on religion.”

By learning more about one another, we actually bring the “other” closer to us uncovering a holiness and truth about our uniqueness.  Abraham Joshua Heschel remarks, “No Religion is and Island…We are all involved with one another.  Views adopted in one community have an impact on other communities.”  We need to allow for these impacts to be fruitful and not harmful. Levine teaches us to “harmonize” and not to “homogenize.”   Often times, it is as easy as not putting pepperoni on that pizza or making a space for prayer at work. Through her books and workshops, Levine offers guidelines that can help employers and schools work through common religious questions.

We do need to recognize our responsibility as people of faith to help our schools and employers through this process of understanding.  We can each look at our own faith teachings as a source of why we should.  From the Roman Catholic document Nostra Aetate,  “We cannot truly call on God the Father of all if refuse to treat in a brotherly way any man, created as he is in the image of God.”

For additional information, please read Deborah Levine’s article in the Huffington Post. 

This event was partnered with American Jewish Committee, The Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue, Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, Jewish Community Relations Council and generous support from Xavier University.

Bridges of Faith Trialogue writes an Open Letter to President-Elect Trump

A local Cincinnati group composed of Christians, Muslims, and Jews called Bridges of Faith Trialogue urges faithful citizens to endorse an open letter to presidential-elect Trump to become more inclusive in his thoughts, words, and actions.  The purpose is to uphold the American way and not to fall back on fear and anxiety.  The fabric of our country was built on immigration, diversity and strong leaders willing to stand up for the right vision for America.  For more on this group and the open letter, Cincinnati Enquirer recently featured this group and their work toward peace. Click Here for more details.

 If you are interested in supporting this open letter, please contact Chip Harrod at chip.harrod@gmail.com