WISDOM Honors the Rev. Sharon Buttry

WISDOM honored the Rev. Sharon Buttry at the Birmingham Bloomfield Race Relations and Diversity Task Force Tenth Annual Diversity Champion Honor Roll on April 30, 2009.

Sharon lives in Hamtramck and serves as outreach director at Acts 29 Fellowship, a Christian mission dedicated to meeting the critical needs of neighbors of 26 different language groups. "My neighborhood is a United Nations: next door is Yemen, Libya and Poland; the smell of good cooking fills the air as I walk home each night."

Since moving to Michigan in 1996, Sharon has made many interfaith friends through the Hamtramck "Call to Prayer" ballot question and as a WISDOM Board member. Sharon and her husband Dan have facilitated workshops in conflict transformation in Poland, Thailand, Italy, India and Ethiopia.

Sharon has been an incredible asset to WISDOM. She facilitated our WISDOM retreat last January, and served a secretary on the Executive Board.

Thank you Sharon for all that you have done for WISDOM!!

Please enjoy the photos below.

WISDOM Membership Celebration

Dear WISDOM Supporters:


On Sunday, March 29, 2009 WISDOM hosted their first Membership Celebration. About 40 women came together - WISDOM Board members, non-board members, and potential members - came to the Mulberry Square Condominium Clubhouse in Bloomfield Hills for appetizers and desserts. We shared our stories, auctioned off WISDOM tee-shirts and flowers, and had a marvelous time despite the rain and snow that battered the clubhouse windows outside. We offer a big thank you to everyone who brought treats and took the time to meet and greet each other. Thank you to our WISDOM members, and to all the people who joined WISDOM at this member celebration. We welcome all of you to WISDOM, and we hope to see you active on a WISDOM committee soon. Please take a few moments to look at the pictures below.


Gail Katz
WISDOM President

WISDOM event - Stewards of the Earth on April 26

Come one, Come all. . .
Women, Men, Children and Teens!

Join WISDOM for a Celebration of Earth Day and help us be
“STEWARDS OF THE EARTH”

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009
10:30 AM – 3:00 PM

At the E.L.JOHNSON NATURE CENTER
3325 FRANKLIN ROAD, BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48302
248-341-6485

At this INTERFAITH ECOLOGICAL INITIATIVE
We will:
. Learn together from Natural Resources Educator, Dan Badgley
. Work together to help groom trails and restore habitat
. Eat together and have fun as friends and families

Bring your own picnic lunch and something to share (for 5)
Beverages provided by WISDOM
Bring work gloves, protective clothing, hat,
Insect repellent, sun screen.

All ages
Are encouraged to attend!!
Please see registration forms
Permission slips/waiver forms

AN ADULT MUST ACCOMPANY EACH GROUP OF YOUTH
(NO MORE THAN 10 YOUTH PER ADULT)

QUESTIONS?
CONTACT GAIL KATZ 248-978-6664
JUDY SATTERTHWAITE 248-495-2866

WISDOM
STEWARDS OF THE EARTH
E.L.JOHNSON NATURE CENTER
SUNDAY, APRIL 26TH, 2009
Registration Form


10:30 AM – REGISTRATION

11:00 AM – TALK BY NATURE CENTER MANAGER DAN BADGLEY

11:20 AM – 2:00 PM OUTDOOR ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

1. SPREADING MULCH ON THE NATURE TRAILS
2. CUTTING DOWN AND ROOTING OUT
INVASIVE WEEDS

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM “GETTING TO KNOW YOU LUNCH”

NAME OF CONTACT ______________________________________________

NAME OF ORGANIZATION _________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS _________________________________________________

CELL PHONE __________________ HOME/OFFICE PHONE ______________

FAITH TRADITION (optional) _______________________________________

How many people are in your group? ________________________________

What are the ages of the youth (if any) that are coming with you? ________

Please send the registration form to WISDOM, P.O. Box 525, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303 as soon as possible to reserve your place.

The participants from each organization/family must complete individual permission slips/liability Waiver & Release Forms (See forms below!!) to participate in the WISDOM event. There is a separate form for adults and youth.

These forms must be mailed to WISDOM, P.O. Box 525, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303 by April 15th

Questions? Contact Gail Katz, WISDOM President, 248-978-6664





ADULT
Liability Waiver & Release Form
STEWARDS OF THE EARTH
E.L.JOHNSON NATURE CENTER
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
APRIL 26, 2009
11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Name of participant_________________________________________________________________

Religious Institution/Faith Tradition ______________________________________________

Home phone _______________________Cell Phone _________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________


Liability Waiver and Release Form

On this 26th day of April, 2009, intending to be legally bound hereby, the undersigned agrees and does hereby release from liability and to indemnify and hold harmless WISDOM (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). This release is for any and all liability for personal injuries (including death) and property losses or damage occasioned by, or in connection with any activity or accommodations for this event. The undersigned further agrees to abide by all the rules and regulations promulgated by WISDOM and the E.L. Johnson Nature Center.

_____________________________________ ____________________________
(Signature of participant) (Date)


( Phone numbers in case of any emergency















YOUTH (Under 18)
Liability Waiver & Release Form
STEWARDS OF THE EARTH
E.L.JOHNSON NATURE CENTER
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
APRIL 26, 2009

Name of participant_________________________________________________________________

Advisor/Teacher/Parent Responsible ______________________________________

Advisor/Teacher/Parent phone number ____________________________________


Liability Waiver and Release Form

On this 26th day of April, 2009, intending to be legally bound hereby, the undersigned agrees and does hereby release from liability and to indemnify and hold harmless WISDOM (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit. This release is for any and all liability for personal injuries (including death) and property losses or damage occasioned by, or in connection with any activity or accommodations for this event. The undersigned further agrees to abide by all the rules and regulations promulgated by WISDOM and the E.L. Johnson Nature Center.

Please do not bring electronic devices, i.e. IPODS, Handheld video games, Play stations, etc. Cell phones should be used only for emergencies during this event.


I give my permission for my child to participate in this community service project.

_____________________________________ ____________________________
(Signature of parent/guardian) (Date)


(Parent/guardian’s home phone, cell phone, emergency contact)

______________________________ ____________________________________
Parent’s e-mail Youth e-mail

A Muslim Holiday and a Jewish Holiday

Dear WISDOM Subscribers:

Below is an article in today’s Detroit News about the commemoration of the birth of the prophet Muhammad which will occur this Saturday evening, March 7th, and why many Muslims feel this celebration is especially important this year.

Following this article is another one from this week’s Jewish News about the Jewish holiday of Purim which occurs Monday, March 9th at sundown.

We wish all of our Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters very happy and peaceful holidays!!

Gail


Muslims honor birth of prophet
Gregg Krupa / The Detroit News

As Muslims commemorate the birth of the prophet Muhammad beginning Saturday at dusk, some say that remembering the events of the prophet's life and the guidance revealed by the Quran are especially important this year, after some pointed attacks on the reputation of the man they believe to be God's messenger and the perfect human being. Mawlid An-Nabi, the prophet's birthday, is remembered by Sunni Muslims on the 12th day of the third lunar month, and by the Shi'a on the 17th day. In Metro Detroit, many Sunnis will mark it Saturday, and many Shi'a during the following week or next weekend. He was born in about 570. "What we do is to read the Quran and the history of the prophet," said Akil Fahd, of the Tijani Zawiya, a Muslim center on the east side. "The thing that makes it more important this year than in other years is the attacks on the prophet and his character. "It is more important this year to remember him for what he has done as opposed to the attacks that have been thrust upon him." Many Muslims in Metro Detroit were distressed last year when DVDs of the movie "Obsession," which they say slandered Muhammad and Islam, were delivered to homes throughout Metro Detroit. They also expressed indignation about local radio broadcasts by a Coptic priest who accused the prophet of unnatural acts, and by the Dutch film "Fitna," which interspersed readings from sacred Islamic texts with scenes of violence. "Fortunately, in many ways, these attacks ended up helping us in the end because Muslims and non-Muslims were forced to take a look at the life of Muhammad and to see that these movies were unfair portraits of the prophet and Islam," said Mohamed Abbass, who worships at the American Islamic Community Center in Madison Heights. "It's allowed us to have a constructive dialogue. "But, this year, Muslims have found that they need to connect with their prophet, because sadly we have to sort of defend our faith," Abbass said.


PURIM AT A GLANCE

(Information taken from an article by Elizabeth Applebaum in this week’s Jewish News)

Purim beings the 14th day of the Jewish month of Adar, which this year corresponds to sundown, Monday, Mar 9, until sundown, Tuesday, March 10. This holiday commemorates how Queen Esther and Mordechai thwarted the plans of the evil Haman to kill all the Jews during the reign of King Ahaseurus of ancient Persia (4th century BCE). The name Purim means “lots” (objects, such as dice, used in making a choice by chance). It refers to the lots cast by Haman to determine the month in which to exterminate the Jews (Esther 3:7; 9:26).
The main event of Purim is the public reading of Megilat Ester, the Book of Esther (or Scroll of Esther) commonly known as the Megillah (which in Hebrew means “scroll”). The day before Purim is Ta’anit Ester, the Fast of Esther. This fast beings in the morning (Monday, 6:43 AM Detroit time) and ends at sundown (8:01 PM), although Jews do not eat until after the evening prayer service, when Purim actually begins. In synagogues, the Megillah is read during the evening service. Some hold additional readings after the service. The Megillah also is read in the synagogue the next morning (Tuesday).
Jews will attend both the evening and the morning readings of the Megillah. Every mention of evil Haman’s name during the reading is accompanied by booing and hissing or the use of noise makers. One of the main themes of Purim is that things are not as they seem: the beautiful Queen Esther of Persia is actually the Jewish girl, Hadassah; loyal palace guards are scheming insurrectionists; the great conqueror, King Ahaseurus, is a drunken lecher; the capable administrator, Haman, is a genocidal maniac; events seem to happen by themselves, but all is determined by God. In accordance with this theme, children and adults hide their true identities by dressing up in costumes for the holiday celebration. Because the Jews survived this planned massacre, Purim is a festival of joy and a time of fun. Carnivals, skits, practical jokes and silliness are all part of the day.

In addition Jews observe three practices on Purim:

1) Gifts of food are sent to fellow Jews – the gifts consist of food ready to eat or that can be enjoyed with minimal preparation

2) Generous contributions of money are given to the poor. The rabbis teach that donations to the poor should form the bulk of the Purim expense

3) A festive meal is to be eaten. On Purim, one is to include more wine or liquor with the meal, than usual, enough to make things lively, but not to become drunk. The meal should begin during the daytime, but if it extends into the evening when Purim is over, that’s OK.

On Purim, unlike other holidays, work is permitted, fires may be kindled, electricity turned on, cars driven, money handled, etc.

The most traditional food for Purim by Eastern European Jews is the Hamentoshen – or cookies with three sides (and a fruit filling) to symbolize the three sided hat that the villain Hamen wore!! You can even buy them at Costco!!

(at least the one in Bloomfield Hills!! Gail)

WISDOM Update

Dear WISDOM Subscribers:

Last Tuesday night the Jewish Community Center of West Bloomfield had the honor and privilege of hosting a very special priest who is doing incredible work. 600 people from throughout both the Jewish and general communities of Metro Detroit came out to hear Father Patrick Desbois speak about his unbelievable work travelling throughout Eastern Europe uncovering and documenting previously undiscovered mass graves of Jews murdered during the Holocaust. People were truly touched by this man – and his life’s mission.

Trish Harris, Sheri Schiff and myself attended the dinner for Father Desbois and his lecture on behalf of WISDOM, who was one of the sponsors. Another important sponsor in the interfaith community was the Archdiocese of Detroit. Father Desbois’ talk about his work in Belarus and the Ukraine searching for unmarked mass graves of Jews who were shot systematically - their bodies piled on top of each other in pits that were dug by children - had everyone shocked and in tears throughout his talk. Father Desbois has written a book entitled The Holocaust By Bullets: A Priest’s Journey to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of 1.5 Million Jews that details his work over the last several years.

Please mark April 26th on your calendars. WISDOM will be sponsoring an event called “Stewards of the Earth” which will take place between 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM at the Johnson Nature Center in Bloomfield Hills. We are inviting all WISDOM subscribers, members and their families to help us put mulch on the nature trails and to pull invasive weeds. This will be a wonderful interfaith event open to adults and youth. April 26th is part of the Global Youth Service Days, and the Interfaith Initiative for Young Adults will be partnering with WISDOM to involve middle school, high school, and college youth to come together to do community service, to make new friends and to share lunch together. We will be asking everyone to bring their own lunch and something to share with 5 other people!! Lunch will begin around 1:00 PM and we will structure some conversation topics so that the adults and the youth can get to know each other and have fun!!

I will be getting some flyers about the Global Youth Service Day events out to all of you soon, along with permission slips for any of you bringing your own families or sponsors bringing a group of students!!

Peace!!

Gail KatzWISDOM President
248-978-6664 cell phone

The Baha'is in Iran

Dear WISDOM Sisters:

Please read the following article by Congressman Mark Kirk of Illinois about the situation of the Baha’is in Iran.

Gail



Congressman Mark Kirk: Then they came for the Baha’is
February 18, 2009

The following speech by Hon. Mark Steven Kirk of Illinois was delivered to the House of Representatives:

Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Persecution of Baha’is in Iran
”In Germany, they first came for the gypsies, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a gypsy. Then they came for the Bolsheviks, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Bolshevik. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics. I didn’t speak up then because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up.”
–Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran pastor arrested by the Gestapo in 1937.
Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, then they came for the Baha’is.
The Baha’i Faith is the youngest of the world’s independent monotheistic religions. Founded in Iran in 1844, it now claims more than 5 million adherents in 236 countries and territories. Gathering worshipers from nearly every national, ethnic and religious background, the Baha’is preach tolerance, diversity and equality.
To an Islamic dictatorship that denies its people basic political and human rights, this religion founded in Iran on the tenets of religious tolerance remains an anathema to the Supreme Leader. And the world is standing by as Iran’s state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i minority nears its final stages.
In 2006, Iran’s Armed Forces Command Headquarters ordered the Ministry of Information, the Revolutionary Guard, and the Police Force to identify members of the Baha’i Faith in Iran and monitor their activities.
In that same year, we saw the largest roundup of Baha’is since the 1980s. The Iranian Interior Ministry ordered provincial officials to ”cautiously and carefully monitor and manage” all Baha’i social activities. The Central Security Office of Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research and Technology ordered 81 Iranian universities to expel any student discovered to be a Baha’i.
In 2007, the situation worsened. More than two-thirds of the Baha’is enrolled in universities were expelled once identified as Baha’is. Police entered Baha’i homes and businesses to collect details on family members.
Twenty-live industries were ordered to deny licenses to Baha’is. Employers were pressured to fire Baha’i employees and banks were instructed to refuse loans to Baha’i-owned businesses. Baha’i cemeteries were destroyed.
In November 2007, three Baha’i youths were detained for educating underprivileged children.
The following month, the Iranian Parliament published a draft Islamic penal code, requiring the death penalty for all ”apostates”–a term applied to Baha’is and any convert away from Islam.
On May 14. 2008, seven members of Iran’s national Baha’i coordinating group were arrested. This is reminiscent of the mass disappearance and assumed murder of all the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Iran in August, 1980.
On August 1, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Res. 1008, condemning the persecution of Baha’is in Iran and calling for the immediate release of all Baha’is imprisoned solely on the basis of their religion.
Our bipartisan voice bought the Baha’i leadership some time–but it appears only 6 months.
This week, the Government of Iran charged the seven Baha’i leaders with ”espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic.” Deputy Tehran Prosecutor Hassan Haddad declared, ”The charges against seven defendants in the case of the illegal Baha’i group were examined . . . and the case will be sent to the revolutionary court next week.”
It is time for the international community to act.
Today, along with my colleagues Jim McGovern and Brad Sherman, I am introducing a bipartisan resolution calling on the Government of Iran to immediately release the seven Baha’i leaders and all others imprisoned solely the basis of their religion.
I urge President Obama and Secretary Clinton, in concert with the international community, to publicly condemn Iran’s persecution of its religious minorities and demand the release of these seven community leaders.

The Lenten Season

Dear WISDOM Sisters:

I would like to share with you some thoughts about the upcoming Christian Lenten season by Rev. Kenneth W. Collins. Following Rev. Collins discussion about Lent, please read David Crumm’s www.Readthespirit.com happenings that will be taking place online during Lent.

I wish all our Christian friends a peaceful and meaningful Lenten Season.

Gail

The Season of Lent

Theme:

Retreating Into the Wilderness with Jesus

Dates:

Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday
and ends on the day before Easter Day. We skip Sundays when we
count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the
Resurrection.
In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent officially ends at sundown on
Holy Thursday, with the beginning of the mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Colors:

In most churches, the decorations are purple or blue, royal colors to
prepare for the King.

The East:

In Orthodox churches, this season is called the Great Lent. It begins
on Clean Monday.

Special Days:

Ash Wednesday
The Annunciation, 25 March

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for
reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of
the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated
themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared
for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian
imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. All
churches that have a continuous history extending before AD 1500
observe Lent. The ancient church that wrote, collected, canonized, and
propagated the New Testament also observed Lent, believing it to be a
commandment from the apostles. (See The Apostolic Constitutions, Book
V, Section III.)

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that does not involve starvation or
dehydration. Quite often, our bodily appetites control our actions. The
purpose of fasting is to make your bodily appetites your servant rather
than your master.

The Western Church

Because Sunday is the day of the Resurrection, we skip over Sundays
when we calculate the length of Lent. Therefore, in the Western Church,
Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before
Easter.

In many countries, the last day before Lent (called Mardi Gras, Shrove
Tuesday, Carnival, or Fasching) has become a last fling before the
solemnity of Lent. For centuries, it was customary to fast by abstaining
from meat during Lent, which is why some people call the festival
Carnival, which is Latin for farewell to meat.

The Eastern Church

The Eastern Church does not skip over Sundays when calculating the
length of the Great Lent. Therefore, the Great Lent always begins on
Clean Monday, the seventh Monday before Easter, and ends on the
Friday before Palm Sunday—using of course the eastern date for Easter.
The Lenten fast is relaxed on the weekends in honor of the Sabbath
(Saturday) and the Resurrection (Sunday). The Great Lent is followed by
Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, which are feast days, then the
Lenten fast resumes on Monday of Holy Week. Technically, in the
Eastern Church, Holy Week is a separate season from the Great Lent.

Special Days

The purpose of the liturgical calendar is to relive the major events in
Jesus’ life in real time, which is why Lent is forty days long. If Jesus
were born on 25 December, then His conception would have been nine
months earlier, on about 25 March. That is when the angel Gabriel would
have announced Jesus’ birth to Mary. Thus 25 March is known in the
historic church as The Annunciation.

Roughly speaking, the Western Church consists of Protestants, Catholics, and
Anglicans. The Eastern Church consists of the Eastern Orthodox churches, the
Oriental Orthodox churches, and the eastern-rite churches affiliated with the
Roman Catholic Church

Copyright ©1995-2004 by the Rev. Kenneth W. Collins. All rights reserved.



And from our very special friend, David Crumm on www.ReadtheSpirit.com. If you are interested, go to this website to follow David’s Lenten discussion!!

Welcome to a Spiritual Journey with Friends: Our Lent / Things We Carry
WELCOME!

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 25) for Western Christians and on Clean Monday (March 2) for Orthodox Christians. We invite you to bookmark this page, think about buying a copy of our companion book (click the Amazon link at right) — and plan to enjoy an exciting, challenging and spiritually rewarding journey with friends!

"Our Lent: Things We Carry" is a 40-chapter journey written by ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm. But — there's so much more to this online Lenten pilgrimage.

You'll find readers adding their comments throughout Lent along the right side of this page. Please, take a moment right now and add a quick Comment — we really do appreciate hearing from you.
Plus — we've got some exciting "Partners" this year who will share a wide range of spiritual reflections. Please, click on that "Meet Our Partners" link (at left) to read a pre-Lenten story about preparing for this season!
Popular writer Phyllis Tickle is providing special introductions to ancient Christian practices, such as Fasting and Fixed-Hour Prayer.
Peter Wallace — another inspirational author beloved for his collections of day-by-day inspirational reflections (and also the man behind the Day 1 Web site and radio network) — will share his thoughts throughout the season.
In addition each day, you can listen to the Scottish brogue and deep wisdom of Norman Pritchard, pastor of a landmark Presbyterian church in the Midwest.
We've also invited urban pastor Tonya Arnesen to share her thoughts as senior pastor of an ethnically and culturally diverse congregation in the heart of one of America's great cities.
Right now, you're joining nearly 2 billion people around the world in reflecting on Lent!
WHY make this Lent a special season in your life?
Lent is the perfect Christian season for our spiritual revival in this new Third Millennium. Uncluttered by the commercial avalanche that has all but buried the Christmas season over the past century, Lent retains much of its ancient religious potential. Dr. Wayne Baker, the University of Michigan scholar who produces the OurValues.org discussion site, has shown in his own research over the years why we're drawn toward experiences like this. Compared with other global cultures, Americans are overwhelmingly religious. But, when it comes to values concerning self expression — all of those individual choices that lie at the heart of spiritual reflection — Americans surpass Scandinavians in our zeal to honestly express ourselves.
In such an era, Lent is the perfect, untarnished blend of religious tradition and spiritual adventure — ancient roots blossoming into self reflection and self expression.
Or, to put it another way, Lent is the "Lord of the Rings" of scriptural stories — a loyal fellowship of men and women fearlessly summoning all of their traditional knowledge as they make their way toward a dangerous encounter in a city where the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Yet, unlike the J.R.R. Tolkien trilogy, each of us is invited to make our own Lenten pilgrimage each year. That's how millions of Christians experience the season — preparing our hearts, minds and daily lives in fresh ways for this epic quest. Thousands of churches distribute coat-pocket devotionals, guidebooks to help shape the Lenten journey.
That is the core of this season — a personal encounter with the sacred.
WHAT'S the main plot of this 40-day story?
The big picture behind "Our Lent: Things We Carry" is this: Jesus' journey 2,000 years ago was a public pilgrimage of such profound importance that we mark it each year, day by day, even in the Third Millennium since he walked the Earth. Rather than leaving such a powerful religious narrative locked inside individual churches and individual lives — we are moving the Lenten adventure back into the biggest public roadway of our time: the Internet.
While some of the "things" along this journey are scenes and lessons, most of the things in our 40-chapter journey are quite tangible things: coins, basins, bowls, bread, cups, swords and tables, to name a few. This was the stuff of Jesus' world. It's still the stuff of our lives, 2,000 years after Jesus' world-shaking walk to Jerusalem.

This year, come along.
Walk with us. Bring friends.
You're already carrying things.
Help us to lighten the load!