For the past eight years St. Thomas the Apostle in Overland Park has had small groups of Christians, Muslims, and Jews who come together regularly to learn from one another. The goal of these Faith Clubs has been to help deepen one’s faith while learning about the other Abrahamic faiths and making friends along the way.
When the current war in Israel and Palestine broke out it became quickly clear to the Faith Club leadership team that they were in a particular position to respond. The pain, fear, and sense of helplessness felt on all sides was evident so it was decided the team would put to- gether a prayer service. The Rev. Kelly Demo, Associate Rector of St. Thomas as chair of the committee took the lead in putting the service together, but it took everyone to make it happen.
On the evening of October 18 about 170 Jews, Christians, and Muslims gathered at St. Thomas for a time of prayer. After opening remarks and prayer from Rev. Demo she welcomed St. Thomas’s longtime friend and leader in the Kansas City faith community, Bill Tammeus. As a former writer for the religion section of the KC Star, and author of several books, Bill always offers articulate and balanced thoughts.
Christians, Muslims, and Jews hold hands in prayer at interfaith service held at St. Thomas, Overland Park.
“We can be messengers… what we can say loudly and often is that there is not now nor has there ever been a military solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict which is a part of the broader Arab/Israeli conflict,” said Mr. Tammeus. He remembered a time when he was a child in 1957 when he was visiting the Holy Land and saw fam- ilies living in makeshift tents. He noted that the descen- dants of the people he saw then, to this day, still do not have a home.
Next was welcomed Imam Herbert from the Islamic Center of Johnson County. He shared harrowing experi- ences of people from the Muslim community as they and their families fled Palestine. Steve Fleischaker is a member of the St. Thomas community who is Jewish, and he shared his thoughts and read a psalm in Hebrew.
A rabbi had not been secured to speak that evening but in a beautiful and holy moment, Rabbi Doctor Mark Levin, founder of Congregation Beth Torah, asked permission to get up and speak. He said that while we had heard much from the Muslim side of the conflict there were more stories to be told. And he primarily wanted to share two important messages. “When people ask me what to do about the conflict, I say this, find the peace- makers and support them… they exist, and they need our help. And second, do not help the export of this con- flict to our community. Do not take sides… do not let them export to the United States or our community the conflict that exists there.”
The service closed with everyone in the room holding hands and standing in silence before Rev. Demo closed with prayer. After the service attendees stayed for fellowship and shared hugs and tears.
by the Rev. Kelly Demo
835 SW Polk St.