Joyfulness in Our Midst
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down. Death, grief, loss and confusion can be seen everywhere. But we can also see the joyful emergence of new thought, new ways of interpreting the world, new music, new poetry, new understandings of ancient wisdom. It is bubbling up all around us.
Interfaith work has never been more important and we hear from four young people of different faiths — Baha’i, Christianity, Islam and Judaism — who lived together for the year as part of a new interfaith experiment known as the Abrahamic House. Amanda Gorman, the American youth poet laureate who charmed us all with her big smile at Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony, deftly wove prophetic scriptures into her soaring poem, drawing her inspiration from the book of Micah, calling out evil at the same time she offered hope - truly, a modern theologian for our age. And Lynn O'Brien, musician and singer, combines these two gifts into a song that uses technology as her very own sing along band, drawing her - and us - to a place of receptiveness and joy.
Look around - creativity is on the loose. And it will not be bound.
Abrahamic House
What four strangers learned while living together during a pandemic
by Alejandra Molina | January 13, 2021
This interfaith experiment brought together four young people from different religious backgrounds who lived together during the pandemic. This is what they learned about one another, and about themselves.
Amanda Gorman, hope and accountability
from Broadview | January 22, 2021
Poet Amanda Gorman was a scene-stealer at the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden. Paraphrasing Micah 4:4, “Scripture tells us to envision / that everyone shall sit underneath their own vine and fig tree / and no one shall make them afraid,” the 22-year-old offered a hopeful poem that resonated at a time when millions are full of grief.
Light Everywhere
by Lynn O’Brien | January 18, 2015
Singing by herself - well sort of - Lynn O'Brien channels a joyfulness that is a delight to hear in these dark January days. We can make of anything a spiritual practice, and this is singing as spiritual practice. What would be more fun than that? Enjoy.
Living Our Faith Day-to-Day
Break Free From Anxiety and Fear
A daily spiritual practice can help us manage fear and anxiety. During this time of COVID-19 lockdown, many people are experiencing fear and anxiety. World renowned author and speaker Eckhart Tolle, shares his insight on why we may be suffering with anxiety and fear and what we can do about it.
“...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”