This week we have the rare opportunity of worshiping on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s actual birthday. What an honor!
Topically, we will pick up where we left off last Sunday on the Epiphanies God is granting us. Last week, we discussed our treasure to share. This week, we will look at the journey that offers. And: we’ll have another Church Geek Moment, so bring your notebook! (Hint: this week’s is Hebrew.)
After church, we will livecast our Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration with Marble Collegiate Church. President LaKeesha Walrond and I will be discussing Black women in social justice organizing. Marble will stream it online and we will have it available in our social hall during coffee hour for anyone who would like to remain to hear it. (You are also welcome to journey with me downtown, if you’d like to attend in person.)
Also, the following week on January 29 at 1:00 pm, save the date for an in-person event with our neighbor, Temple Emanu-El (corner of 65th & 5th), where Rabbis Josh Stanton (East End Temple), Ben Spratt (Congregation Rodeph Sholom) and I will be having an in-depth conversation on their fascinating new book about a Jewish Awakening. I was honored to write the Forward for the book. In this time of increasing tolerance for anti-Semitic violence, it is important for us to find ways to share our lots. Join us for what promises to be an exciting conversation.
Meanwhile, you are, as always, in my prayers. I can’t wait to see you!
Pax,
Pastor Kaji
Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5 (Year A, pg. 95):
1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz envisioned about Judah and Jerusalem:
2 And it will be in coming days,
the mountain of God’s home
shall the highest of the mountains,
and shall be elevated beyond the hills,
all the nations shall stream to it.
3 Many peoples shall come and say,
“Let us go and ascend the mountain of the HOLY ONE OF SINAI,
to the home of the God of Jacob [of the line of Rebekah];
that God may teach us God’s ways
and that we may walk in God’s paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the HOLY ONE from Jerusalem.
4 God shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide justly for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob [line of Rebekah]
come, let us walk
in the light of the HOLY ONE OF OLD!
In this talk, Rev. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond and The Rev. Kaji Douša join Rev. Rashad McPherson to explore opportunities for the 21st-century church to become meaningfully involved in causes for social action, walking in the footsteps of pioneering women such as Ella Jo Baker, Rev. Reverdy Cassius Ransom, and Harriet Tubman. Come and join us as we do this work together, either in person or online.
Awakenings: American Jewish Transformations in Identity, Leadership, and Belonging With Rabbi Andrue Kahn and Guests
Rabbi Benjamin Spratt (Congregation Rodeph Sholom)
Rabbi Joshua Stanton (East End Temple)
The Reverend Kaji Douša (Park Avenue Christian Church)
Sunday, January 29, 2023 | 1:00 PM
This event is free and open to temple members and non-members.
An in-person event
Is Judaism in North America dying? Is religious life in general on the wane? Or is Judaism thriving, but simply doing so outside those legacy institutions that have so far resisted change. In their new book, Rabbis Joshua Stanton and Benjamin Spratt invite debate about the future of Jewish communal life in North America, and claim that inspired, nimble religious organizations of all kinds are now retooling to meet the very different needs of today’s congregants. They show us new organizations now being created and argue that we are already witnessing the early stages of renewal in both Jewish life and in religious life outside Judaism.
