As the congregation gathered on Sunday morning, the church was filled with the beautiful music from the Sanctuary Choir as they practised before service. In the kitchen off the TM room, Sacred Service team members were preparing for community time following service and, in the balcony, PSALT team members were preparing sound, light and projection for the service. Candles were lit. Greeters met the gathering congregants. With the Spiritual Travelers back from their adventure, the conversation was lively. Today's service was a reminder about how very blessed we are to be able to worship freely in safety.
Rev. Peggy built her reflection upon lectionary readings from Acts 11: 1-18, John 13: 34-35 and 1 John 4: 16-20. Entitled "Transforming the World, One Dream at a Time,” she drew our attention to recent events that have made attending houses of worship a dangerous venue. Right from the opening video http://www.thewaytohappiness.org/thewaytohappiness/precepts/respect-the-religious-beliefs-of-others.html Rev. Peggy reminded us that "Within religion, pluralism acknowledges that there are a variety of ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life all of which offer diverse resources of wisdom."
Referring to the scriptual texts read by Eldon Godfrey and quoting from the likes of Robert Muggah,Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Robert Lauder, Walter Brueggemann, Mike Ghouse, John Spong, Brian McLaren and Jean Rowe, she concluded, "Cultivating pluralism within our faith means not only accepting the other but also actively engaging compassion that transforms ignorance and hatred into authentic connection."
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