Thank you to everyone who came out on December 16th for our 24th Annual Interfaith Celebration of Community, Spirit, & Change. While our usual host for the event, Beth El Synagogue, undergoes renovation, we were glad to be welcomed in the beautiful space provided by Durham Friends Meeting.
As always, Kathleen Hannan, aided by the Bodies, Voices & Spirit Chorus and musicians, provided soulful music for the gathering. Rachael Wooten shared a message of “Taking Refuge,” and wove this timely and much-need theme throughout the celebration. Julie Purcell and Kathleen got everyone up and dancing with the Dances of Universal Peace “Shema Yisrael” and “Kali Ma.” Kathleen described the goddess Kali as a divine mother, both creatrix and destroyer, who can be called upon when we personally or our whole society needs a new beginning.
The photo above shows the candle lighting ritual, which many found to be the most moving portion of the evening. We closed by singing the simple yet powerful song, “This Little Light of Mine,” and returned home with a renewed sense of hope and community. May that hope and peace be yours this season and beyond.
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