InterFaith21

Do I ever love it when a plan comes together. Some may recall when I wrote about an interfaith harvest dinner on the far side of the country in Oakland, CA. Little did I know then that I’d be blessed to be part of a Delray Beach Interfaith Clergy Association organizing subcommittee that so similarly and successfully promoted unity  among 100 people of various traditions here. The photos below tell the tale.

Kudos to the Rev. Elizabeth Hill, our wonderful committee chairwoman who brought the idea, and to whom I could not say no when she asked me to pitch in; to her co-chair, Chaplain Dick Lewellan, and his colleagues among the management and residents of Abbey Delray North, our gracious hosts; to the Revs. Kathleen Gannon and Waymon Dixon, co-chairs of our Delray Beach Interfaith Clergy Association, and other members for encouraging us along the way; to my fellow subcommittee members for making the organizing effort such a labor or love; and to all the guests who participated, including my own.

My dear friend Ziaul Islam (L), fellow member of the Muslim Community of Palm Beach County, among guests arriving at Abbey Delray North for the 1st Interfaith Friendship Festival.

Rabbi Howard Meridy of the clergy association subcommittee and his wife (L) welcoming Buddhist guests.

Dick Lewellan, director of spiritual services for our gracious hosts, Abbey Delray North, and another indispensible member of our organizing subcommittee of the Delray Beach Interfaith Clergy Association.

From the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches, my dear friends (L-R): Mary Rubeiz, Chari Campbell and Gus Rubeiz enjoy the atmosphere.

Another scene from the proverbial good time had by all. (Waymon Dixon photo.)

After our committee’s post-meeting I hope to return to this to share what’s next for our group.

In the meantime, while not sharing the name, I’ll share this from a committee member:

“Thanks to you all for a beautiful experience. When each table shared their group experiences I felt that the evening was a great success and we were experiencing the fulfillment of what we were shooting for out of this time together. It seemed to me each person was eloquent and profound in their own way. And what they shared was powerful and liberating. Thanks for all the work and dedication over these months. It has been a great experience working with you all.”

I too am thankful: for everyone’s presence, for the wisdom contributed and for the affirmation, again, that humanity is one.

Forgive me for quoting myself, but let me conclude as I did that last time when I noted that this is something that any congregation — or better yet, group of congregations — can do:

“So do try this at home. Tell us what you’re planning — and when. Who said Thanksgiving was the only time to show appreciation for life, and for each other.”