A Shem Center Interfaith Zoom Gathering

These closing words of the Presidential oath of office of the United States of America marked Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025.

Meanwhile, approximately 200 people joined Joseph Kilikevice and Steve Miller that day to reflect on the blessings of a free America and its ideals. An alternative gathering of spirit and peace. A community of citizens and immigrants coming together for mutual encouragement.

Some welcoming thoughts from the hosts for this gathering as well as song, poetry, and small breakouts filled our time. Women, men, and children met some new friends to continue our exchange and to find some much-needed support for the days ahead.

Including another gathering February 23, 2025. Click for details.

Poem
To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
— John O'Donohue

This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.

An Oath of Office for All Americans
As one nation under God, embracing a commitment to liberty and justice for all given us by our founders, we join this sacred duty to work together as mutually supportive Americans. We seek the truth using respected sources so as to be informed to thoughtfully dialogue with each other toward "a more perfect union." We embrace this sacred task with gratitude to those who have traveled this journey before us. Unfinished and imperfect we may be, America is our inheritance as each of us brings deeper wisdom and insight to this endeavor, so, help us God.

Song

Let the Beauty That we Love

Words by Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, original melody and chord setting by Dan Pierce