Regional Interfaith/ Ecumenical Committee

December Newsletter and Giving Tuesday

What a wonderful farewell to autumn with our 2024 Fellows! We had a beautiful Día De Muertos, a thoughtful Conversation Club, and a Friendsgiving that left us all feeling grateful. December is an important month for so many faith communities, and we have some special events lined up to celebrate! We also ask that you please keep Abrahamic House in mind this Giving Tuesday, December 3rd.

On the first day of November our fellows hosted their Día De Muertos celebration. Our guests brought pictures and mementos to decorate the house ofrenda, a traditional altar to honor those that are no longer with us. It was an evening full of simultaneous joy and mourning. Thanks to everyone who came and shared memories with our fellows and our community. Next our fellows launched their Candid Conversations Dinner Club series. They discussed hope and resilience in distressing times with an intimate group of the Abrahamic House community. Esma cooked a delectable Turkish meal and those present shared about how they practice cultivating hope. Many shared about how their respective faiths help them through trying times. Our last event was a Friendsgiving potluck where guests brought a delicious array of dishes and sat down for a cozy meal with our fellows. The fellows shared some thoughts about gratitude from their respective traditions, and everyone left with full hearts and full bellies.

We have some special events lined up for what is a very important holiday season for many faith traditions. You’ll be able to join our fellows for a relaxing study session, a wonderful volunteer opportunity, or a big Chrismukkah celebration! First, we’d like to take a moment to acknowledge Giving Tuesday on December 3rd with the hope that you might consider a contribution to Abrahamic House as part of your seasonal giving.

A donation to Abrahamic House not only allows us to continue to build an amazing fellowship experience but will also fuel our goals of expansion in 2025. Our dream is to open Abrahamic Houses all over the country and eventually the world. Interfaith harmony and cooperation works best when it is face to face within a caring and dedicated community. We invite you to make an investment that is rooted in our work to build communities that offer hope in place of despair, unity in place of conflict, and gathering in place of othering.

Here is a video of our 2022-2024 fellows discussing the impact of donor contributions to Abrahamic House and how the seeds that are planted in our community are blooming in DC, the US, and internationally.

If you are interested in supporting Abrahamic House this Giving Tuesday please get in touch via email (info@abrahamichouse.org) or follow this link to contribute! A contribution of any size makes a difference. If you can’t give this year, then consider sharing the mission and value of Abrahamic House with someone who can!

Thanks so much for being a part of our extended Abrahamic House family. We can’t wait for what 2025 will bring but, until then, register for some of our December programming!

____________________________________________________

Study Eat Pray: A Mindful Study Session

Monday, December 2nd, 2-6 PM EST

We are thrilled to invite you to our Mindful Study Session event from 2PM-6PM on Monday, December 2nd.

As exams approach, finding a space that nurtures both your academic focus and personal well-being is essential. Join us at the Abrahamic House for a Mindful Study Session, an evening designed to help you prepare for your exams with intention and balance.

This event combines quiet study time with opportunities to recharge your mind and spirit through mindfulness exercises and moments of inspiration drawn from diverse traditions. Whether you need a peaceful place to focus, a chance to reflect, or a supportive community to connect with, this event is here to help you succeed academically while caring for your overall well-being.

In addition to ample study space, enjoy a grounding mindfulness session to reduce stress and boost focus, brief inspirational reflections to refocus your energy, a variety of coffee, tea, snacks to stay fueled, and designated break areas for stretching, casual conversations, or quiet contemplation.

From 5 PM to 6 PM, we will serve dinner, and there will be an opportunity for communal prayer for anyone interested in staying.

Parking and space is limited, so please plan accordingly. Location and email confirmation will be provided closer to the event date.

To ensure we have enough seating, we will be capping the event at 15, so please sign up ASAP!

REGISTER

____________________________________________________

Chrismukkah Celebration

Sunday, December 15th, 7-10 PM EST

We are thrilled to invite you to our Chrismukkah event from 7-10PM on Sunday, December 15th.

This year, Christmas (Dec 25th) and Hanukkah (Evening of Dec 25th-January 2nd) overlap, and we’d love to celebrate both these holidays with you!

Christmas is an important day in the Christian calendar, where we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and exchange gifts in honor of the gifts the three kings brought. Hanukkah, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day celebration in the Jewish calendar where we bring light, joy, and warmth into our homes by gathering with loved ones, lighting the menorah, eating fried foods, celebrating the various miracles associated with the holiday, and more. We will be celebrating these holidays with good food, good fun, and stories of the importance of each holiday and how to celebrate in an interfaith way. Come join us!

Parking and space is limited, so please plan accordingly. Location and email confirmation will be provided closer to the event date.

Please note: Alcohol is welcome at this event, and we will provide a few options, but please also feel welcome to bring your own!

REGISTER

_____________________________________________________

Abrahamic House Volunteer Day

Sunday, December 29th, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM EST

Join us for a volunteer food prep shift at D.C. Central Kitchen on December 29th from 9:00AM – 12:00PM. We will then gather to debrief together at the Central Kitchen’s Cafe (which is in the same building) until 1PM.

We know that commitment to community and serving others is something that unites all of us in our faith. The holiday season is also a time when faith communities across the world come together to provide support to those in need. We are excited to join in this tradition by volunteering at D.C. Central Kitchen, an organization that uses food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities. You can read more about their mission and important work here.

This event involves volunteering with a third-party organization. After registering with us, you must sign up using their system at this link.

Please make sure you fill out all necessary forms that the organization provides and sign up ASAP, as spaces are limited.

REGISTER

_____________________________________________________

Happy winter holidays to those who celebrate. We can’t wait to see you this winter! Nothing beats the cold like #GatheringNotOthering

*************************

_______________________________________________________

Happy Diwali from our family at IFC to yours!

Common Greetings: Shubh Diwali [Shoobah Dih-vah-lee]!
Wishing you a bright and Happy Diwali.

_______________________________________________________

What is IFC up to?

IFC is partnering with Miami University’s Interfaith Center on a series of Religious and Cultural Literacy workshops. The last one is on Sunday, November 10th, at 2pm. The topic is Breaking Down Faith-Based Stereotypes and Misconceptions. All are open to the public!
Click here for more information.

In November, IFC is continuing its collaboration with Temple Micah’s teen group as well as offering two Religious and Cultural Literacy programs for The George Washington University community as part of their annual Interfaith Week.

Would you like to bring a Religious and Cultural Literacy workshop to your congregation, workplace, or school? If so, email Symi Rom-Rymer, symirr@ifcmw.org, for more details.

_______________________________________________________

DMV Interfaith Resources

New Deadline: Montgomery County FY25 Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) is soliciting grant applications for the County’s FY 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program from qualified nonprofit or faith-based organizations located in Montgomery County. The County Council’s FY25 Approved Budget provides $1,200,000 to nonprofit and faith-based organizations at a high risk of experiencing hate crimes.

Key Program Resources:

• Online Grants Application Platform: https://mcmdgrants.smapply.org/

• Program Page: https://mcmdgrants.smapply.org/prog/FY25NonprofitSecurity

For questions, technical support, or alternate ADA submission options please contact the Office of Grants Management using the contact information below: Ali Hoy, Program Manager II Office of Grants Management (240) 773-3384 grants@montgomerycountymd.gov

_______________________________________________________

DHS Announces $210 Million of Additional Funds to Protect Faith-Based Institutions and Nonprofit Organizations Against Targeted Attacks

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will distribute $210 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the second tranche of additional funding that the Biden-Harris Administration secured to protect faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations against targeted attacks. This funding will be made available in a Notice of Funding Opportunity to be published in late October.

_______________________________________________________

Upcoming Religious Holidays

October 2024

29th (ends November 3rd)t Diwali (Hindu): Festival of Lights symbolizing the human urge to move toward the light. One of four seasonal celebrations in India.

Greetings: Happy Diwali!

November 2024

October 31st or November 1st Shree Mahavir/Nirvan Day/Diwali (Jain): Known also as the festival of lights. In Jainism it commemorates the enlightenment and liberation of Mahavira, the most recent of the Jain Tirthankaras, from the cycle of life and death. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahavira’s holy knowledge.

Greetings: “Happy Diwali” can be used.

1st Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikh): Prisoner liberation day, when the 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind, was freed from Gwalior Fort and brought along 52 others.

Greetings: Happy Bandi Chhor Divas!

1st Jain New Year (Jain): Begins the day after Diwali, and marks the beginning of a New Year for Jains.

Greetings: No specific greeting

October 20th and November 12th Twin Births of the Bab and Baha’u’llah (Baha’i): celebrating the births of both the Bab and Baha’u’llah, the two prophets associated with Baha’i, in succession. This due to their births following each other on the Muslim calendar of which they were born into, however they were not born on the same year.

Greetings: Happy birthday of the Bab!

3rd Gurgaddi Diwas (Sikh): Marks the event when the 10th Guru passed on guru-ship to Guru Granth Sahib, where he established the Holy book that would be the further guiding force.

Greetings: No specific greeting

_______________________________________________________

Upcoming Interfaith Events in the DMV

November 2024

Meditate the Vote: Strengthening the Spirit of Peace at the Polls

November 2 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
9525 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Click Here to Register!

Find out more »

Inviting Peace: Art, Yoga, Meditation & Sound

November 2 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
11109 Sunset Hills Rd Reston, VA 20190 703-860-9642

Dates Saturday 11/02/2024 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm Pricing $0.00 Inviting Peace: Art, Yoga, Mediation & Sound Led by Maryam Ovissi, Reggie Hubbard, Susan Knoblauch & Heather Hagaman Join us for an evening to invite peace through the layers individually and collectively. We will begin with co-creating an art piece that brings to life the essence of community! Then roll out your mats, pull up a chair and bring out the bolsters and blankets for a restoring…

Find out more »

A Sacred Piece of Home Documentary

November 2 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wheaton Library
Find out more »

Diwali: A Celebration of Joy & Liberation

November 3 @ 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
9601 Cedar Ln, Bethesda, MD 20814

Sunday, November 3, 2024 @ 4:00 PM with Hindus for Human Rights and Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation Celebrating at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation: 9601 Cedar Ln, Bethesda, MD 20814 Join Hindus for Human Rights and Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation as we gather in the DMV for a joyful and liberatory Diwali celebration featuring food, performers, storytelling, and more! Click Here to Register!

Find out more »

Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway

November 24 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Bowie Community Center at 3209 Stonybrook Drive

The Interfaith Coalition of Bowie is partnering again with Prince George’s County Councilmember Ingrid Watson to host a Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway on Sunday, 24 Nov. from 2-4 p.m. at the Bowie Community Center at 3209 Stonybrook Drive. We will be providing groceries and turkeys for 100 local families. This will be on a first come first serve basis, or you can reserve your Thanksgiving groceries via this link. Following the giveaway you are also invited to join us for…

Find out more »

_______________________________________________________

*************************

Reflection on Ecumenism

By Anne Mulqueen, OFS

***************************