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Community Corner

Spirit and Healing in Times of Crisis--Apr 27, 1:30-4:30 pm

On Sunday, April 27, from 1:30-4:30 pm, Open Spirit: A Place of Hope, Health & Harmony will host a multi-faith, multi-disciplinary conversation about how we respond to times of community crisis.  The event, entitled, “Spirit and Healing in Times of Crisis,” will be held at Open Spirit, in the Edwards Hall building of Edwards Church, UCC, 39 Edwards Street in the Saxonville part of Framingham. There is no charge for the program; donations to Open Spirit are appreciated.

The event will feature two keynote speakers.  Rabbi Laurence Bazer is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Sholom in Framingham and also Colonel and Joint Forces State Chaplain for the Massachusetts National Guard.  He will speak from his dual perspectives—lifting up the resources within Judaism for dealing with crisis and sharing his experience as a National Guard Chaplain after September 11 and the Marathon Day bombing.

The second speaker is Rev. Ian Lynch, pastor of First Congregational Church in Brimfield.  Following the tornado that devastated their town, First Congregational Church became a community healing center, offering meals, spiritual and emotional care, and arranging emergency assistance.  Rev. Lynch will reflect on the ways communities come together during crisis and how they can heal and grow in the aftermath.

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These two speakers will be joined by four local spiritual leaders for a panel discussion.  Neela deZoyso from Sudbury will bring her perspective as a Buddhist and a member of the New England Buddhist Vihara in Grafton.  Chaplain Shareda Hosein is a member of the Association of Muslim Chaplains and the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, and is also in the US Army Reserves.  Lynne Miller is a musician with Sackcloth Ministries in Framingham, and will offer her thoughts on how music can bring people together in times of crisis.  Judith Chaloux, Bereavement Coordinator at Beacon Hospice, will reflect on grief and healing.

The panel will reflect on such questions as:

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  • How do we respond to crisis in our community?
  • How do we find meaning, comfort, and hope in the face of natural and human-made disasters?
  • How do we help one another cope with vulnerability and find a healthy sense of security?

The moderator will invite members of the audience to participate in the conversation, offering questions and reflections.

Open Spirit: A Place of Hope, Health & Harmony is a welcoming, multi-faith center. We provide programs that support healing, wellness, spiritual nourishment, and encourage personal growth and community connectedness.

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