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Dear Colleagues and
Friends,
Christians are
observing Holy Week, the Jewish community begins Passover
and Buddhists celebrate Buddha’s birth on Wednesday, Hindus
celebrate Vaisakhi (New Year) on the 13th, and Muslims begin
Ramadan on the 24th. Some of the holiest days for faith communities
are occurring during the surge of COVID-19. It’s a
terrifying and a wonderful time as we are connecting with one
another in new ways, actively caring for our vulnerable
neighbors, deepening the roots of our faith, and discovering
the deeper meaning of our religious holidays.
I receive briefings every
morning as part of the Office of Community Partnerships, and
everyday includes Zoom sessions with partners providing food,
healthcare, shelter, language access and volunteer
coordination. We are fortunate to have our elected and
appointed officials, nonprofit executives, businesses and faith
communities working collaboratively to lessen the impact of
COVID-19 and maintain a beloved community.
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We,
in partnership with the Office of Emergency Management, are
hosting another Town Hall for Faith Communities Responding to
COVID-19 on Thursday, April 9, at 2:00 pm. It is an
opportunity to gain current and accurate information regarding
government grants, guidance on religious services, safe
volunteer opportunities, state of healthcare in Montgomery
County and ways faith communities can contribute to the health
and well-being of Montgomery County.
Zoom
Information
Join
Zoom Meeting
Meeting
ID: 354 207 498
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We are updating the COVID-19 tab on
our website regularly to keep you posted on the most current
and accurate information from the federal, state and county
government offices. It has special resources for families,
children, spiritual practices, technological assistance, food
provisions, healthcare, volunteers, donations, worship
and prayer, grant opportunities and guidance from Governor
Hogan’s office related to religious services and use of religious
facilities are there as well.
One example of the
resources found on our website is this discussion on how
believers and faith communities can thrive during this extraordinary
season and contribute to America’s common good. It features
noted spokespersons from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish
traditions.
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We also have resources
for promoting the 2020 Census on our
website. It will determine how much funding we will receive at
the point when we are rebuilding our economy and wanting the best
human services, healthcare and public education. Remember
each one counted represents $8,250 in federal funds.
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A
webinar on Strategies and Tools for Keeping Congregations
and Communities Connected During (and after) the COVID-19
Crisis will be on Wednesday, April 8, from
2:00pm-3:00pm via Zoom.
It
will be lead by the Rev. Ken Howard, Exective Director of The
FaithX Project discussing how to use interactive demographic
analytics to identify and engate at-risk populations in our
neighborhoods and how to use technology for connecting people
for worship, community service and fellowship.
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On Sunday, April 19, we
may commemorate the Holocaust by virtually participating in
the Yom Ha'Shoah Commemoration. For
more information and to sign up to receive a link to the live
stream please click on this link.
In a time when we are
socially distant, we can also be spiritually close and able to
draw insight and inspiration from each other's religious
tradition. The Passover, for example, is a stem cell of the
Jewish people generating new meaning and solace from a situation
far more extreme than what we experience today. Easter
follows a horrific series of events leading to the crucifixion of
Jesus. Simply put, Easter is a grand celebration of the
power of love proving to be greater than all forms of loveless
power.
We have an extraordinary
opportunity for learning about other religious traditions,
discovering a spiritual affinity and using our website to
discover how we may serve those with whom we are bound in
love and bid to serve.
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Shalom, Om Shanti, Sat
Sri Akal, Salaam, Namaste, Peace
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Rev. Mansfield
"Kasey" Kaseman
Interfaith Community
Liaison
Office of Community
Partnerships
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Stay
Connected
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