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FAITH HOUSE Manhattan
New York City UPDATE

JANUARY 7, 2009 (weekly)
information - connection - involvement
editor: Samir Selmanovic



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Last week, Saturday afternoon, we were in the cathedral of St. John the Divine soaking in the sweet drippings of grace and joy from the ceremony of marriage blessing for Bowie and George. Story of the universe is a love story and these two lovers were a symbol of that love. And when the largest pipe organs in the largest cathedral in the world gloriously exploded above our heads, we were all transported into mystical but grounded state of hope about all of life. So many from Faith House showed up and the presence of my Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters brought tears to my eyes. ~ Samir  

Bowie and George, you bless us. We are nurtured by your love and happiness together. Many thanks to your family, friends, and St. John's folk for organizing this once in a lifetime experience for many of us. We, Faith House community, will support you on your journey of love, service, and leadership!
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We are moving!
Our new space will be at Intersections on 5th Ave between 29th and 30th street. Check out the space and the way they make a difference in the world at www.intersectionsinternational.org. Notice that starting January we will continue to have weekly program but with the following modifications that will better fit our vision, budget, and needs:

1. LIVING ROOM gatherings will be every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 5-6:30 pm in Intersections.

2. On the 3rd week of every month we will SERVE TOGETHER, arrange for an opportunity for us to serve together in the area of fighting poverty, working for social or environmental justice, sustainability, and community service.

3. Every 1st week of every month we will have a FAITH HOUSE TOUR BUS, as we step out of our comfort zones and into a hospitable space of others and visit their services, lectures, rituals, concerts, and other events.


UPCOMING LIVING ROOM GATHERINGS
(location: Intersections, 274 Fifth Ave, between 29th and 30th)

January 10, Sat 5 pm

The Third Meal: A Time of Desire

Facilitator: Rabbi David Ingber and Romemu congregation.

Traditionally, the last meal of Shabbat takes place during the most beautiful time of the day, the waning hours before Shabbat is over.  This time is called Et Ratzon, or "time of desire, yearning, and holy grasping".  Join Faith House Manhattan for an unforgettable evening. Together we will hold on to Shabbat asking Her to linger just a bit longer, enticing Her to stay with our songs, teachings, and comraderie. Light refreshments will be served.  

January 24, Sat 5 pm

Mother, Prophet, Mystic: Mary In New Testament, Quran, and Beyond

Facilitator: Juliet Rabia Gentile

Join us for music, insight, and experience with our guest artists and a special speaker. More information to follow.


UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE TOGETHER

Faith House God's Love We Deliver service evening: TBA
Coordinator: Rafael Candelaria

Faith House Habitat for Humanity Sunday: TBA
Coordinator: Sammer Aboelela

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January 12, Mon. 8pm (CARNEGIE HALL)


Bowie's husband, George Mathew, is Artistic Director and Conductor for MAHLER FOR THE CHILDREN OF AIDS (www.mahlerforthechildren.org), a benefit performance of Gustav Mahler's monumental Third Symphony, to
raise public consciousness and funds for the mothers and children affected by Pediatric AIDS and for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT).

Today, every minute of every day, a child under the age of 15 dies of AIDS-related illnesses and there are approximately 15 million AIDS orphans around the globe.  The beneficiary of the evening will be CMMB (Catholic Medical Mission Board) a leader in meeting the challenge of HIV and AIDS around the world.

It will bring together the world finest principal orchestral musicians, all of whom are generously donating their time and artistry, from the New York Philharmonic, The MET Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke's, The Brooklyn Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, the Emerson Quartet and many others, and a chorus of women for the Dessoff Symphonic Choir, and children's choirs from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York. They will be performing under the musical direction of conductor, George Mathew, who has produced two previous benefit concerts:  Beethoven's Ninth for South
Asia and Requiem for Darfur (www.requiemfordarfur.org).

- TO HEAR THE BEATING OF THE MAESTRO'S HEART CLICK HERE -

Ways to get involved:

    * Purchase tickets: www.mahlerforthechildren.org
    * Share the concert with your networks on Facebook:
      http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=36098791770

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT INTERSECTIONS:

I (Samir) have heard about Immaculee over and over again from friends on the West Coast urging me not to miss an opportunity to hear her story. I was excited to learn that The West End Lecture Series event on January 8, at 7 pm described below will have her as a guest speaker. Immaculee Illibagiza, a Tutsi woman who survived the Rwandan Genocide by the Hutus in 1994, is a living example of faith put into action. Immaculee's life was transformed dramatically during the 1994 Rwandan genocide when she and seven other women spent 91 days huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor's house. For more information on the series, time, and location, click HERE.


Help us learn where you live and what your needs are by filling out a short questionnaire. Many thanks to those of you who have already responded!

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TO SUPPORT FAITH HOUSE Manhattan YOU CAN:
  • DONATE
    Make a tax-deductible contribution online (through AMM website) or by sending a check to P.O. Box 552, New York, NY 10028.
THANK YOU!