From the desk of Rev. Dr. Woodie Rea - The Inter-Faith Chapel
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From the desk of Rev. Dr. Woodie Rea
No doubt you are familiar with the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them
do unto you." The Golden Rule is a fundamental concept of Christianity and a foundational
ethic we are to live by.
Though not called the "Golden Rule" in the Gospels, it is a Biblical directive given by Jesus
during the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 7:12) and referenced on several other occasions (Lk
6:31; Mt 22:39). The importance and emphasis of The Golden Rule cannot be overstated.
But have you heard of the Platinum Rule? "Do unto others as they would have you do unto
them." The Platinum Rule also has its roots in Biblical principles (Rm 12:10, Php 2: 3-4).
Basically, the Platinum Rule is finding out what is of interest and need In the other person,
and then treating them as they would like to be treated - not as how we would like them to
treat us.
Both the Golden Rule and Platinum Rule provide direction for how to live and how to most
courteously and caringly interact with others. Everyone has a basic desire to be affirmed,
accepted, and treated respectfully. However, everyone is different, and in many cases what
you would want done to you, is different from what your friend, family member, or fellow
parishioner would want done to him or her.
I have been thinking about the relationship between the Golden Rule and the Platinum Rule in
the context of this pandemic and decisions that have been made affecting the entirety of our
congregation. I have been wondering how the Golden Rule and the Platinum Rule apply.
Perhaps this might mean recognizing we are a diverse group with different life situations. Per-
haps this means providing numerous resources and various options to help others find their
own responses. Perhaps this means supporting those who feel the need to stay home for
varied reasons, while supporting those who feel the need to worship each week in the sanctuary.
Last month, based on regional public health data at that time, the Chapel Council made the
decision to pause in-person worship services and activities for the month of Januaiy. This
decision was not so much based on what they wanted, but on the needs and necessities of others,
Now, based on the most recent and relevant statistics available, The Council has chosen to
once again resume in-person Sunday morning worship at 10:00 AM on February 6 . Strict
social distancing regulations, designated seating, and facial mask requirements will be in
place. Livestreaming at 10:00 AM will be offered through our webpage for those worshipping
remotely.
^Confmues on page 2
Page 2 THE FEBRUARY 2022 COURIER
Contimied from page 1 A Prayer about Loving Others
by William Barclay
These have not been hurried or haphaz-
ard decisions, but each has been based on 0 God, our Father:
the Golden Rule along with the Platinum Help us through this day so to live that
Rule. we may bring help to others, credit to
ourselves and to the name we bear,
Both the Golden Rule and Platinum Rule and joy to those that love us, and to you.
are Biblical, and both are necessary if we Cheerful when things go wrong;
are to live fully, cooperatively, and lov- Persevering when things are difficult;
ingly together. Treating people how we Serene when things are irritating.
want to be treated sets a high bar. Treat- Enable us to be:
ing people how they want to be treated Helpful to those in difficulties;
takes a commitment to learn more about Kind to those in need;
them, an interest in relationship, and still Sympathetic to those whose hearts are
requires discernment of the Spirit. We sore and sad.
are called to do both. "Let no one seek Grant that:
theh' own, but let each one seek the other's Nothing may make us lose our tempers;
well-being." (1 Cor 10:24). Nothing may take away our joy;
Nothing may ruffle our peace;
Gold and Platinum! Now that is a beautiful
Nothing may make us bitter towards anyone.
combination!
So grant that through all this day all those with
-{Woo(fie whom we work, and all those whom we meet,
may see in us a reflection of the master, whose
we are, and whom we seek to serve.
Coffee and Conversation via Zoom This we ask for your love's sake. Amen.
All are invited to log in for Name and Address List
conversation, prayer and Please respond if you do NOT want
fellowship. Dr. Rea and
your name listed.
Dr. Lee will be on the calls
to welcome you into the The Chapel would like to supply Affiliates and
meeting. You may come active participants with a list of names, addresses
Conversatlor] and go as needed. The and telephone numbers of persons who are in-
calls will occur on Tuesday, Februaiy 8 at volved in our activities. We had planned to pro-
10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, February 16 duce a new Chapel pictorial telephone directory
at 6:30 p.m. in 2020 and do not know when we will be able to
By Computer complete that project, due to the pandemic.
Go to www.zoom.us
In order to help our congregation stay connected
Click on Join a Meeting at the top
to each other, we want to provide a printed list in-
of the page eluding names, telephone numbers, and address-
Enter Meeting ID: 815 060 2371 es. If you do NOT want your information listed,
By Telephone please call Bonnie at 301-598-5312 no later than
Dial 301-715-8592 February 17.
Enter Meeting ID: 815 060 2371 This new congregational list will be available for
pickup in late February.
Please log in a few minutes in advance.
THE FEBRUARY 2022 COURIER Page 3
Good to Know:
How to Reuse N95, KN95, and Other
Disposable Masks
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recent-
ly updated its mask recommendations to align with what
experts and many other people have long known: N95s and
other respirator masks (when they are legitimate and fit properly) are more protective than
most cloth face masks are. You might also be concerned about the environmental cost of
disposable masks, which are constructed from non-recyclable materials. Fortunately, for most
people and in most situations, you don't need to chuck your mask after each use, or each day.
Here are some answers to common questions about reusing your disposable mask.
How can I safely reuse a mask?
You can re-wear a mask after you have stored it in a paper bag for a few days, according to
the CDC and multiple experts. The coronavirus has an expected survival time of about 72
hours, so waiting for, say, five to seven days should be enough time for it to be inactivated.
To keep track, it is recommended to have five masks on rotation and seven brown paper bags
marked with the days of week, lined up on your windowsill. One can place a mask in the
appropriately labeled bag between uses during the day and at the end of it. After a week has
passed, one can take the mask out to wear or move it to an eighth bag marked "Ready to
Use."
Is it really safe to reuse masks right now, considering how infectious Omicron is?
Yes, reusing a mask is safe. Masks work the same way on any variant—by trapping virus-
containing particles in their layers. Also, the coronavirus is transmitted mainly through respi-
ration; you're less likely to catch it by touching an infected surface. That said, it's safest, and
just good hygiene, to handle your masks with care, touching only the elastics and washing
^ A Prayer for the Lenten Season
A Prayer about Friendship
[Season by William Barclay
IN MEMORIAM
\f Help me, 0 God, to be a good and a true
friend, to be loyal and never to let my Bruce Gibbs
tmi friends down: never to talk about them January 2, 2022
behind their backs in a way that I would
not do before their faces; never to betray a confidence or Ruth Doherty
talk about the things I should be silent about; January 10,2022
always to be ready to share everything I have;
to be as true to my friends as I would wish them to be to me.
This I ask for the sake of him who is the greatest and truest
of all friends, for Jesus' sake. Amen
Page 4 THE FEBRUARY 2022 COURIER
ASH WEDNESDAY AND
LENTEN MID-WEEK WORSHIP SERVICES
Lent is the season of preparation leading up to Easter dedicated to a time of:
reflection, repentance, and renewal. It is a six-week period of restoration
and deepening in our relationship with God. We will be observing the
Lenten season in both traditional and creative ways. .e
March 2 is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. We will begin our journey with a special
worship service on the LW Channel 974 at 2:00 P.M. that will Include the Imposition of Ashes
and Holy Communion.
! Drive-Thru Ashes
The Ritual of Ashes is an ancient tradition of the church, and it
remains a meaningful practice today. We are marked with the
sign of a cross of ashes on our forehead (or hand) to remember
and proclaim our deep need for God in our lives and in the world.
- In this time when we cannot confidently be together for our Ash
; Wednesday worship service, we are offering a socially safe manner
of receiving Lenten Ashes using a sterile applicator.
Drive-Thru Ashes will be offered in front of The Chapel under The Portico on
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
11:00 A.M. -12:00 P.M. and then again from 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Pastors will offer a short prayer, a blessing, and ashes along with a Lenten Devotional booklet.
Please make sure you and your vehicle's occupants are wearing masks.
LENTEN MID-WEEK WORSHIP SERVICES
—IVlore Information to Come—
Special worship services have been planned for each of the weeks leading up to Holy Week.
Our time of worship will include hymns, prayers, special music, and will provide a message
that is sure to enrich your personal faith as you live the journey of Lent.
Please join us for these times ofLenten worship on:
Tuesdays at 1:00 EM.
LW Channel 974 (Also available on our web page)
March 8
March 15
March 22
March 29
April 5
THE FEBRUARY 2022 COURIER Page 5
SPENDING TIME EACH DAY WITH
GOD'S WORD
USING LECTIO DIVINA
Lectio divwa, Latin for "divine reading," is a devotional reading
of Scripture that has existed for over 1,700 years. Practicing this
spiritual discipline is a way of praying the Scriptures that calls us
to study, ponder, listen and pray from God's Word each day. The
steps are simple:
1) Read the passage slowly, listening for and choosing a word or phrase that stands out to
you. 2) Reflect on that word or phrase. 3) Respond with Prayer, asking God to help you apply
the Scripture to your life and 4) Rest in God s word and thank the Lord for the way God has
spoken to you through God's Word. Then, take a moment of silence. Try to slow your thoughts
and focus on the presence of God.
Tuesday, February 1 Psalm 56; 1 Corinthians 14:13-25
Wednesday, February 2 Jeremiah 1:11-19; Luke 19:41-44
Thursday, February 3 Psalm 138; Numbers 20:22-29
Friday, February 4 Numbers 27:12-23; Acts 9:26-31
Saturday, February 5 Judges 3:7-11; Luke 4:42-44
Sunday, February 6 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke5:l-ll
Monday, February 7 Psalm 115; Judges 5:1-11; 1
Tuesday, February 8 1 Samuel 9:15-10:lb; 1 Timothy 3:1-9
Wednesday, February 9 Isaiah 8:1-15; Luke 5:27-32
Thursday, February 10 Psalm 1; Acts 13:26-34
Friday, February 11 Jeremiah 13:20-27; 1 Peter 1:17-2:1
Saturday, February 12 Jeremiah 17:1-4; Luke 11:24-28
Sunday, February 13 Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 6:17-26
Monday, February 14 2 Kings 24:18-25:21; 1 Corinthians 15:20-34
Tuesday, February 15 Ezra 1:1-11; 2 Corinthians 1:12-19
Wednesday, February 16 Psalm 120; Luke 11:37-52
Thursday, February 17 Genesis 43:16-34; Romans 8:1-11
Friday, February 18 Genesis 44:1-17; 1 John 2:12-17
Saturday, February 19 Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40; Luke 12:57-59
Sunday, February 20 Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Luke6:27-38
Monday, February 21 Psalm 38; Corinthians 11:2-16
Tuesday, February 22 Samuel 24:1-22; 1 Cormthians 11:17-22, 27-33
Wednesday, February 23 Leviticus 5:1-13; Luke 17:1-4
Thursday, February 24 Psalm 99; Deuteronomy 9:1-5;
Friday, February 25 Deuteronomy 9:6-14; Acts 10:1-8
Saturday, February 26 Deuteronomy 9:15-24; Luke 10:21-24
Sunday, February 27 Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Monday, February 28 Psalm 35:11-28; Acts 10:9"23a
Page 6 THE FEBRUARY 2022 COURIER
LENTEN PRAYER SERIES:
SDC WEDNESDAY EVENINGS IN LENT
Wednesday, March 2 through Wednesday, April 6, 6:00 - 7:30
Centering Prayer—6:00-6:30: The group will begin with a centering
practice such as breath prayer before practicing 20 minutes of Centering
I Prayer, a method of silent, contemplatlve prayer in which we simply seek
to be present and available to God.
Lectio Divina— 6:30-7:30: Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of listening deeply to the
voice of God speaking through sacred texts".
As we practice Lectio Divina we will follow four steps:
Lectio: Sacred reading (Settling and Shimmering): Participants will prepare for the
sacred reading through breath prayer, chanting, and/or sacred movement. During the
reading participants will be asked to notice what word, phrase or image calls to them
or shimmers" for them.
Meditatio: Reflection (Savoring and Stirring)'. Participants will take time for reflection
as they savor the word or phrase that has "shimmered" for them, allowing the text to
stir their imagination.
Oratio: Response (Summoning and serving): Participants will listen to how God might
be inviting or summoning them into greater awareness and service.
Contemplatio: Rest (Slowing and S tilling): During a time of silence, participants will
seek to be still, to rest in God, and to give thanks for God's presence in their lives.
Please register by February 25 by calling The Chapel office at 301-598-5312 or emailing
Bertie Knisely at bertiek@moravian.edu. Please email or call Bertie (610-393-0362) with
questions. Bertie will be using the book, Lectio Divina, The Sacred Art: Transforming Words
THE FEBRUARY 2022 COURIER Page 7
WITNESS AT THE CROSS:
WITNESS A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO
HOLY FMDAY
at the
BY PROFESSOR AMY-JILL LEVINE
A Lenten Study via ZOOM
Monday, February 28,
Mondays, March 7,14, 21, 28 and
Monday, April 4 at 1:00 P.M.
This Lenten season place yourself as a witness of
the cross and determine what your own testimony
will be!
Experience Holy Friday from the perspective of
those who watched Jesus die: Mary his mother; the
Beloved Disciple from the Gospel of John; Mary
Magdalene and the other women from Galilee; the two men, usually identified as thieves,
cruclfied with Jesus; the centurion and the soldiers; Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.
Jews and Romans, friends and strangers, the powerful and the powerless, the hopeful and the
despairing.
The story of Jesus's death is not something we just read; we think about it, and we experi-
ence it; we hear the taunts of the soldiers, the priests, and the passersby even as we hear the
famous "seven last words" from the cross.
In Witness at the Cross, Amy-Jill Levine shows how the people at the cross each have distinct
roles to play. Each Evangelist presents a distinct picture of the death of Jesus. Each portrays
different individuals and groups of people at the cross, each offers different images and dia-
logues, and so from each, we learn how those meanings and messages cross the centuries to
any who would come to the cross today.
Each Gospel has its own story to tell, all the witnesses have their own memories, and every
reader comes away with a new insight. The witnesses at the Cmcifixion watch Jesus die, and
we watch with them, and we watch them. And we come away transformed.
This study is written by Amy-Jill Levine. She is the Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished
Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford Seminary and University Professor of
New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita. In addition, Amy-Jill Levine is the Mary Jane
Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies Emerita, and Professor of New Testament Studies
Emerita at Vanderbilt University. She is an internationally renowned scholar and teacher and
the first Jew to teach New Testament at Rome?s Pontifical Biblical Institute.
The book is $14 if ordered by The Chapel and $16.30 on Amazon. Please register for the
class by calling the church office at 301-598-5312 no later than Thursday, February 10th.
Page 8 THE FEBRUARY 2022 COURIER
Finance Committee
2021 End of Year Report
Writing the End-of-Year Financial Report at the end of last year was,
I thought, an anomaly—writing about The Chapel's financial situa-
I tion during a year in which most of our worship and fellowship was
[virtual. Although 2021 allowed for more in-person worshiping, we
still have not been able to return to the fellowship and many of the
'programs that we have previously enjoyed. Despite COVID's unyield-
ing grip, however, we were able to resume in-person worship on Pentecost Sunday in May
2021. On the last Sunday of December 2021, we were still worshiping in-person at The Chapel.
For these blessings and for your continued financial faithfulness, we say Thank You.
We have finished the year 2021 in solid financial condition. Though our Building Usage has
not returned to pre-pandemic amounts, it has increased since 2020. Our loose plate giving has
rebounded from the 2020 amount of $418, 905 to $426,029—not quite up to the 2019 amount
of $438,711, but certainly better than 2020. Likewise, our total income has increased by
$20,000. Our 2022 pledged amount currently has surpassed the 2021 pledged amount received
at this same time last year, though the number of pledges is fewer. We currently have 118
pledges totaling $248,907 pledged for 2022, compared to 122 pledges, totaling $214,136
pledged for 2021.
The Chapel staff are always vigilant In how they spend money and they reduce expenses
where possible. Thus, our total expenses for 2021 were nearly $28,000 below the budgeted
amount. Our 2021 Budget included allocations to allow us to significantly upgrade our recording
equipment, and the savings in expenses did not cut into these goals. We were able to dramati-
cally improve the quality of our recordings as well as to begin live streaming of our services.
Both of these objectives have grown in importance, as many of our congregation feel that their
health does not yet allow them to attend in-person services safely.
Additionally, since the Chapel was able to do better than Budget in terms of income, and we
were able to spend less than Budget on expenses, we transferred far less ($52,000) than Budget
from our Endowment Fund during the year. At the end of 2021, the Endowment Fund of The
Inter-Faith Chapel was $1.1 million.
As I write this report, we are once again worshiping virtually as the Omicron variant of
COVID wreaks havoc near and far. We know, however, that whether we are able to see you in-
person or l
THE FEBRUARY 2022 COURIER Page 9
2021 END OF YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Actual Budget
Total Expenses $ 549,919 $ 577,780
EnveIope/Loose Plate Offering $ 426,029 $ 405,000
Other Receipts $ 29,871 $ 30,500
Total Income $ 455,900 $ 435,500
Endowment Transfer $ 90,000 $ 142,280
Total Available Receipts $ 545,900 $ 577,780
February is the Loving Heart Month
niBIWHKSW "Profound joy of the heart is like a magnet that indicates the path of
your life," per Mother Teresa. Our heart is the center of all our
Mo^(:l\ emotions such as love. No other body organ can take its place.
February has been designated as National Heart Month by the
American Heart Association. "A healthy heart is the truest form of
love and wisdom," per Charles Dickens. Love is the strongest hu-
man emotion. As a man thinks in his heart so is he. Agape love or unconditional love is the
greatest love. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not dishonor others, It is
not self-seeking and it is not easily angered. A loving heart blooms like a flower that attracts
all the beauty and light in life.
Now, let's briefly discuss how the heart medically works together with our strongest emotion
to form a loving heart. Our heart is more than just a muscle. Our heart serves as a vital inter-
nal pump controlling the blood flow in two circuits, the pulmonary that delivers oxygen to
the lungs and the systemic that delivers nutrients to the cells of the body. Our heart weighs
only about 11 ounces. It beats 70 to 75 times per minute. A healthy heart will pump around
2,000 gallons of blood through 6,000 miles of blood vessels every day. However, if the heart
malfunctions, the entire body shuts down, because the heart is the command center of our
life. Eating a diet rich in fiber such as vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains aids in
maintaining a healthy heart, along with drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water daily and regular
exercising.
To be true to your own heart is to have your emotional and physical heart health come togeth-
er for your overall wellness, good health, and balance in your life. Maintaining a healthy
heart is something we should all strive for daily. Per Mahatma Gandhi, it is better to have a
heart with no words, than to have words with no heart. Let's strive to maintain healthy hearts
to prolong healthy and well balanced lives.
-Andra Matthews, RN, BSN, CM
Health Advocate
Page 10 THE FEBRUARY 2022 COURIER
Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 3:30 PM
Inter-Faith Chapel
3680 S. Leisure World Boulevard, Silver Spring, MD 20906
. Celebrate Valentines Day early with love songs and ducts by Schubert, Bizet,
Mozart, andHahn, plus lesser Icnown jewels by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, H, T,
Burleigh, Florence Price, Undine Smith Moore, and Amy Beach.
Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online at
www.baltimoremusicales.org/tickets
Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the performance.
Masks and proof of vaccination are required.
Baltimore Musicales is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the art of the
song recital, building community through shared musical experiences, and providing
performance opportunities for outstanding regional artists. Since 2014, they have presented
diverse programs of art songs, opera, and musical theater throughout the Baltimore area and have
recently expanded to Silver Spring and Washington, D.C. Bridging the traditional boundaries
between concert-goers and performers, these engaging artists share interesting biographical
information about the composers and poets and provide historical and literary contexts, allowing
listeners to form deeper and more personal connections to the music and to the artists.February Word Search
.» t
Spring Winter Shadow
VdkHtfHes Dnif!
0 Water Peace \^
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Flowers Burrow Chocolate
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Woodchuck Groundhog
FEBRUARY
J F M G S G K C U H C D 0 OW
PennyTHE INTER-FAITH CHAPEL Non Profit Organization
3680 S. LEISURE WORLD BLVD U. S. Postage Paid
SILVER SPEING MB 20906 Suburban MD 20906
PERMIT NO. 02338
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
phone 301-598-5312
www. inter-faithchapel. org
Rev. Dr. Woodie Rea, Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Ramonia L. Lee,
Minister of Congregational Life
Bonnie B. Banner, Administrator
Joy M. Dufour, Administrative Assistant
Steve Buck, Gary Carpenter
Video Technicians and Chapel Sextons
11
^?s I
?^7~I~—":
Please join us in-person for
Worship Service at The Inter-Falth
Chapel on Sundays at 10:00 A.M.
You may also live-stream on
Sundays at 10:00 A.M.
In addition, you may view the Worship
Service on YouTube
or visit our website at:
www.inter-faithchapel.orgYou can also read
