We Are The Light Of Love In The World
by: Amanda Quraishi on July 20th, 2010 | 8 Comments »
Last month I was honored to attend and participate in a Multi-Faith Pride Service at the Unity Church of the Hills in Austin, Texas. Organized by Reverend Mary Street Wilson of the Church of the Savior, almost every major faith tradition in Austin was represented at the event with an attendance of more than 300 people. The program included readings from sacred texts, musical performances, and prayers.
One of the highlights was a three-part group chant that the entire audience joined in, based on the three Abrahamic Faiths. Reverend Wilson told me that this was the most powerful moment for her in the service because, “Each ‘voice’ expressed a particular faith tradition and was beautiful in its own right, but the harmony of can only be achieved through multiple voices. The harmony is a reminder of how multiple faith traditions can work together to achieve a greater beauty than anyone of us might achieve on our own.”
She continued, “I just happen to believe that the Sacredness we believe in surpasses human expression. And yet, the Ireneaus quote, ‘The glory of God is humanity fully alive’ means we use our humanity to reflect our understanding of God.”
The keynote address was given by the inspiring Bishop Yvette Flunder, founder and minister to the City of Refuge UCC. Bishop Flunder’s address entitled “We Are the Light of Love in the World” was powerful-ranging from passionate to humorous with a genuine inclusiveness that was felt by the entire, diverse audience.
I invite you to view Bishop Flunder’s keynote address here in three parts. (Total viewing time is approximately 20 minutes). While the videography is not professional quality, the message is not diminished in the least:
We are the Light of Love – Part 1 of 3
We are the Light of Love – Part 2 of 3
We are the Light of Love – Part 3 of 3
There wasn’t an older Buddhist gentleman there chanting “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” by any chance?
Were there any Hindus, Buddhists or Pagans/Wiccans? Or was this Abrahamic only? Just curious because I know of many in Austin looking for true interfaith endeavors, my meaning of “true” being those that include everyone, or at least do not exclude anyone positive who wants to contribute and participate. This sounds lovely and I’d love to be able to connect some more people. Thanks and good job, either way!!!
Love, Lianna
@Dave – I don’t believe there was a Buddhist chant during the service.
@Lianna – It was a true interfaith endeavor, however the participation by non-Abrahamic faiths was limited. Not by design, but I think because it was hard to locate people from different faith traditions who wanted to participate. We did have members of the Buddhist, Hindu and Baha’i communities as well as different Pagan traditions in the audience. I know that Reverend Wilson makes a great deal of effort to be as inclusive as possible in her events.
I only ask because if I recall someone I used to know lives in that area and helped get the National Day of Prayer observation down that way opened to more traditions. Sounds like the kind of gathering he might have gone to. :)
My passion for 20 yrs has been to study the 1688BC scrolls from which the King James Bible was translated. The story is about human not humans; about creation that includes all light, breath of life, earth, water, plant, animals, all of these are our elders and then human. Religions have their place, but the root of all is one united OXHEAD.
I too participated in an interfaith work in Seattle for several years. The seeds of compassion even brought the Dalai Lamai, so the four were joined in a common effort. At the same time the pope was speaking on the east coast.
The time has come to lay down our weapons of warfare and begin the true warfare, the battle of the mind that keeps us separated into tiny groups of holograms of the whole; drops of water of the one drop. Yes there is hope that peace can rule and reign. Bright
How about Unitarian Unversalists? While living in the deep South in the 50s I converted to thr Unitarian faith because it was the only one I could find that was practicing Christianity, even though most members feel uncomfortable claiming to be Christian. (Over the decades I’ve interpreted that as modesty.) During the years we lived in Austin in the 80s I was a happy member of the 1st Unitarian Universalist Church, a very warm, welcoming church. One of us was elderly Dr Charles Hartshorne, the process philosophy (Evolutionary Panentheist) theologian and a wonderful person. So I hope some of the current members attended this service. Maybe 1st UU Church’s bluegrass band, the Hill Country Ramblers, still exists and provided some music.
@Sandy – First Unitarian Universalist Church was there! The Wildflower Church and the Live Oak UU Church which are Unitarian congregations, were also in attendance.
I would be interested to find out more about the chant – could you direct me to the right person to ask? I think it sounds interesting. Thanks for your post. Best, Laurel