|
THE NEED TO BE WHOLE
"...the way to prevent disagreement from becoming destructive is to seek 'clarity rather than victory.' Clarity is what we owe, in honesty and goodwill, to one another. Victory can only divide us again into a party of winners and a party of losers thus preparing us for further confrontation and combat."
- Wendell Berry, The Need to be Whole: Patriotism and the History of Prejudice
In the simplest of interactions each day, one way to Higher Ground is to be curious and seek clarity in your own and others' communication. This simple practice may help you to become more connected with those most precious to you and those whom you meet for the first time. Wendall Berry, poet, novelist, and environmentalist, in his new memoir The Need to Be Whole describes his experience of living in the United States for eight decades and imagines how our history can inform our future. With courage, we can do difficult things when we seek clarity and compassion in our conversations.
Try on the practice this month: seek clarity with your self and others. This is a path to Higher Ground.
|
|
Save The Date!
Mark your calendar and plan to attend the 42nd Annual National Day of Prayer Luncheon at noon on May 4, 2023 at the Meyerson Symphony Center. Sponsorships and Registrations are available now.
|
|
2022 Annual Report
Please take a minute to view our newly released 2022 Annual Report.
|
|
PROJECT UNITY HOSTS CRITICAL CONVERSATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT
 On February 13th, a Project Unity-led and called Community Town Hall Meeting in partnership with St. Luke Community UMC, Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriff's Department where the community was invited to participate in open dialogue about local policing in Dallas in wake of the tragedy involving Tyre Nichols.
Speakers included Dallas Police Department's Chief Eddie Garcia and Tonya McClary, Police Monitor and Director of the Office of Community Police Oversight, along with Dallas County Sheriff's Department's Sheriff Marian Brown. The Thanks-Giving Foundation was included as a partner to offer an opening meditation and resource for persons in the audience. Members of Faith Forward Dallas were present as part of the pastoral support for persons who gathered.
|
|
|
BBYO JEWISH TEEN MOVEMENT VISITS THE THANKS-GIVING SQUARE
 On February 17, the Thanks-Giving Square hosted the BBYO Jewish Teen Movement's ‘BBYO Leads Day,’ a day of skill-building and learning for participants in the areas of self-care and self-actualization. Students were educated on the history and architecture of the Square, as well as were guided in a sitting and walking meditation. One student said on the way out of the program: "I wish my town had a place like this." Now, she is able to take back a little piece of Thanks-Giving and share it where ever she goes. |
|
THANKS-GIVING FOUNDATION AND THE AJC'S COMMUNITY OF CONSCIENCE COALITION
The Thanks-Giving Foundation has been active with the Dallas chapter of the American Jewish Committee ( AJC) to stand against hate in all its forms, especially antisemitism. Community member organizations (City of Dallas, Dwell with Dignity, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Khalid Jabara Foundation, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Passages Israel, and The Concilio) are working together to develop ways our community can be more just, fair, equitable, and inclusive.
|
|
INTERFAITH SEDER, Wednesday, March 15th
A seder in the Jewish tradition is a ceremonial meal recounting the first night of Passover. As an interfaith/multi-faith seder, we will celebrate the ways our traditions help us to seek common ground and move to Higher Ground. This event brings together members of the greater Dallas community to discuss the ways in which our traditions encourage us to open our hearts and minds to others. The theme of this year’s Interfaith Seder is “Celebrating Our Diversity." More information regarding the program this year can be found here: www.jewishdallas.org/seder.
We are looking forward to growing together as a community!
|
|
|
RAMADAN DINNER, Friday, March 24th @ Thanks-Giving Square
 Ramadan is a month-long religious holiday for the Muslim community as a time of self-reflection and reconnecting with God. Ramadan is dictated by the lunar cycle, beginning and ending with a crescent moon. The religious holiday involves fasting, praying and being around loved ones. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with interfaith leaders and members of the Thanks-Giving Foundation community, break bread together, and experience the joys of Ramadan.
Space is limited, and RSVP is required to attend this program. Please RSVP by Sunday, March 19th, at 6:00 pm.
CLICK HERE for more information and registration.
|
|
Interfaith Council: Rūmī's Gold
|
|
|
The Interfaith Council continues to engage in North Texas' faith communities. We will continue our reading together a collection of Rūmī's selected works called Gold; this is a gorgeous new translation by the poet and performer Haleh Liza Gafori. There is much to learn about Islam, Spirituality, Empire and our selves as we continue to grow together with our common reading of this wise one. (Our next Rūmī Zoom gathering will be April 5 at 6 p.m.)
|
|
Look for the Helpers: Mental Health First Aid
|
|
CHOOSE TO TRAIN YOUR COMMUNITY OR WATCH FOR TRAININGS HOSTED BY THE THANKS-GIVING FOUNDATION LATER THIS SPRING AND FALL...
IF INTERESTED IN CO-HOSTING A TRAINING, PLEASE CONTACT ANDY STOKER.
|
|
|
Each month, visitors (of all ages) leave about 500 expressions of gratitude on our Gratitude Wall inside the Chapel of Thanks-Giving. Here (below) is a sampling of a few of our recent favorites. You are invited to leave your own personal expression of gratitude on our Gratitude Wall when you visit Thanks-Giving Square, or online when you visit our Facebook Page.
|
|
|
|
