A Show of Solidarity

‘Tis the holiday season and that means holiday parties. Tedd and I have been blessed to have been invited to a number of community interfaith celebrations, some of which have had an added not-so-happy component acknowledging the rise of hate crimes in our city, its environs, the country, and around the world. 

A request was made at several of these gatherings to shine a blue light, one of the colors of Hanukkah, in our homes representing our support of the Jewish community in this time of rising anti-semitism. I happily took one home to put in my porch lamp, but in discussion with Tedd, it occurred to us: how much more would it mean for us as a Christian community to show our connection to our siblings in faith and shine a light at Third Presbyterian Church?

So it is that we have tinted the light in the Bell Tower and changed the light bulbs at the Meigs Street entrance this Christmas season to visibly show support for our Jewish neighbors in the Rochester community and to honor the love our rabbi Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate this time of year, taught us to share with all people. May we truly be invested not just in announcing God’s call to peace on earth, but to showing it in our actions and lives this holy season. 

If you would like to place a blue light in your home, the Jewish Federation is offering them for free. You may call them at 585-461-0490 or drop by their office in the Farash Building, 255 East Avenue downtown. 

Peace in Christ,
Rebecca