My recent days have been stirred by events global and cosmic. First off, in the clear night sky there are two bright planets wandering within the Winter Hexagon (a big circle of constellations - revolving around the hunter Orion - which is already the greatest concentration of bright celestial objects visible anywhere on the planet). Some time ago, Saturn (in Taurus) and Jupiter (in Gemini) arrived to add their luminescence to this vibrant quadrant, but now the whole mass of magnitude is increasingly visible to us in the evening sky. What a highlight, literally, for stargazers like myself! Check it out. Then twice recently I had significant interfaith opportunities that help me find great hope in the murky emotional environment of our diverse world. I attended the Interfaith Conference of Metro Washington's 22nd annual concert, called "A Remembrance of the Sacred in Song, Dance and Chant." This year it was held in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (And they say we have a multi-syllabic name!)

What an extravaganza of religious diversity, impressively representing nine faith traditions - Baha'i, Hindu/Jain, Islamic, Jewish, Mormon, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Sikh and Zoroastrian. (The only trace of UUism, however, was the handiwork of the organist from our Arlington Church. I'm asking around about why we're not more connected to this group.)

Following a long and resonant call to prayer by an Islamic muhadin (who is also a paramedic/firefighter in Montgomery County), we were treated to what the Order of Srfice called "A Surround of Sound." From various places in this 8th largest sanctuary in the world emerged a series of powerful reverberations: a conch shell, tablas, and a large, very evocative gong. Shortly thereafter, a lone trumpeter played Taps, with the notes gliding in and around the cavernous space of this place. A 200-voice Combined Choir and numerous other smaller singing groups provided steady inspiration, amid very appropriate prayers and an honoring of Elizabeth P. Campbell, 99 year old founder of public stations WETA-TV and 90.0 FM.

Most of the music and prayers chosen for this occasion focused on praising various conceptions (and names) of the ineffable. This was a unifying posture of the evening, even though we all had to be frequently translating into our own frameworks of understanding. Praising the Mystery is a rather universal activity, I guess. After the closing Benediction came yet another sound that echoed magnificently: the blowing of a shofar. As its last waves settled into the appreciative silence, an infant's voice rang out, squealing the delight many of us felt in our hearts.

I was also delighted, a couple days later, to help my friend and neighbor, Rabbi Jonathan Cohen, host the monthly meeting of the Greenbelt Interfaith Leadership Association (GILA, a word which also happens to mean "joy," in Hebrew). This is a diverse group of about ten that is becoming quite close - with leaders from local Baha'i, Catholic, Jewish, UU and various Protestant congregations (including Southern Baptist) - and now this was our first session with an invited Muslim representative.

Even before Sept. 11, we had been talking about how to reach out to some of the other religious communities that are around us, and in the spring we had drawn up a written statement of purpose that we could use to entice other groups to join us. Well, it turns out the Prince Georges Muslim Association had also been talking - before Sept. 11 - about getting more in touch with the wider community. Silver linings being what they are, we were happy to welcome a trustee from that group and he seemed quite eager to be there.

We had decided not to attempt any deep discussion of "issues," but rather begin building relationships, upon which we could draw in the months ahead. So, following some further planning of our Thanksgiving Eve service (see blurb elsewhere), I led three rounds of sharing on these topics: What meaning or background does your individual name have? What personal activities/hobbies/pursuits are you passionate about? What's a brief "snapshot" of a meaningful moment in the life of your faith community during the past two months?

The sharings were very intriguing, of course, and quite heartening. We then took this occasion to do something else we had been talking about - we collected all our e-mail addresses! I'd like to hope that more religious leaders can have the powerful experience we're having, of modeling how to build the bridges that will carry us into a more peaceful future.