Today was supposed to be a lazy Sunday. With no IFFP Gathering scheduled, you might have assumed I’d be sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely breakfast. But instead, I found myself at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, where our services are now held, joining Rev. Jay Moses for his worship service.
And let me just say—no regrets about missing the extra sleep. Attending worship at St. Mark was an absolute joy. It’s not every day that a rabbi attends Christian worship, but it’s not exactly rare either. As I entered the sanctuary, I was reminded of how, for a long time, this used to be part of my regular routine. Back when I worked at Georgetown University’s Office of Campus Ministry, I would often attend Catholic mass, Protestant services, Friday prayers (Jumah), and other religious gatherings. But that was a decade ago, and since then, I haven’t had as many opportunities to participate in such a variety of faith experiences. Today felt like a homecoming of sorts.
Rev. Jay and his congregation welcomed me warmly. After a brief and fun introduction with Rev. Jay, I had the honor of leading the Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer during the service. That, in itself, was a special experience, but the service as a whole was what made the morning so meaningful. The hymns lifted my spirits, Rev. Jay’s sermon was deeply insightful, and the other readings created a well-rounded, spiritually renewing experience.
What stood out to me wasn’t the differences, though of course they exist. It was the similarities—between this service and a Jewish service, other Christian services, other religions’ services, and even IFFP’s. The shared pursuit of learning and growth, the common desire to connect with others, and the openness to new spiritual insights. The service reminded me of the universal quest for awe, peace, and justice.
