Dear Friends across the Globe
Greetings from Australia to you all.
Pierre asked if I would write the opening letter for this month’s Newsletter and I thought it would be a good practice for what lies ahead. I am taking the time to listen, reflect and meditate on how the Association can be of value to you each and support Airport Chaplaincy in your space especially as our industry starts the long and bumpy road to recovery from the devastating impact of this Pandemic.
My prayer is that you will be sustained and encouraged in your place as you minister to staff and passengers and bring emotional and spiritual care.
Recently as part of the induction process for the new organisation I work for I had to attend a training session on Grief and Loss. I was asked to lead the opening devotions and as I prepared I came across this heading on my daily devotions, “It Can’t Be Carried Alone”.
One of my favourite devotion writers is Father Richard Rohr. He always seems to speak into where I am and reminds me regularly of the need to slow down, to even stop and spend time alone with God. In this devotion he spoke about the fact that suffering and loss cannot be carried alone. I am thankful that in the heat of this pandemic the private Facebook page was created where we could come and share some of our concerns, struggles and pain and found support from chaplains in all sorts of circumstances. It was a reminder that we are not alone and can reach out to each other.
Al Isra-Wa-Miraj (22 March) – the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet of Islam
On the 27th day of the month of Rajab (this year 22 March), Muslims remember the Night Journey of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from the mosque al Haram in Mecca to the mosque al Aqsa in Jerusalem. This journey is a miracle from God.
The journey was the first part of a night full of surprises and wonders which culminated in the ascension of the Prophet through the heavens that led him in the presence of God.
” Glorified be He Who carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place of Worship [al Haran mosque] to the Far distant place of worship [al Aqsa mosque] the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, that We might show him of Our tokens! Lo! He, only He, is the Hearer, the Seer.” (Quran 17.1)
Continue reading “Al Isra-Wa-Miraj (22 March) – the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet of Islam”Tu B’Shvat: Cultivating Hope
Occurring on Shvat 15th, Tu B”Shvat in Hebrew or New Years of theTrees is both the day of the dime collection and the day of the transition to the next cycle for the dawning fruit. Above all, it is a celebration of nature and hope renewal. As nature is the work of the Almighty, mankind shall not only cultivate it but also protect and respect it.
Continue reading “Tu B’Shvat: Cultivating Hope”