Revealing Ramadan

Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, began Monday, August 1. Every year it comes 11 days earlier because Muslims follow a lunar calendar. A lunar year is only 355 days long, so Ramadan comes sometimes in freezing wintertime and sometimes, like this year, in sizzling hot summer.

Whatever season, the month is a period of intense spiritual practice with special times of worship, Qur'an reading, charitable acts, fasting, and individual reflection and purification. It is believed that the Qur'an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan.

We will explore this holy season when we Gather for worship this Sunday, August 7, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust. As part of the service, we, too will engage in charitable acts by bringing non-perishable food for Project Dignidad. Beans, peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese are always needed. In addition, our offering will be designated for Project Dignidad. We will then symbolically "break fast" as we share a potluck meal following worship.

It was great to Gather this past Sunday, and I look forward to this coming time of worship. In the meantime, I share some words of preparation from Palestinian Muslim poet Mahmoud Darwish:

As you prepare your breakfast - think of others.
Don't forget to feed the pigeons.
As you conduct your wars - think of others.
Don't forget those who want peace.
As you pay your water bill - think of others.
Think of those who have only the clouds to drink from.
As you go home, your own home - think of others - don't forget those who live in tents.
As you sleep and count the stars, think of others - there are people who have no place to sleep.
As you liberate yourself with metaphors think of others - those who have lost their right to speak.
And as you think of distant others - think of yourself and say "I wish I were a candle in the darkness."

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

Join us for worship on August 7
5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street