Witnessing Our Faith in One Another
A silent Vigil for a diverse and united community
Thursday, December 17
Downtown Leesburg
4:00 – 5:30 pm
Let us join together to raise a voice of love and neighborly regard that counters faith prejudice and racial prejudice. Let us see one another and be seen by our County as a united and loving people. Let us act faithfully – out of love, not fear.
Sponsored by Loudoun Interfaith Bridges.
Witnessing Our Faith in One Another
4:00 – 4:30 Convene and Invocation: Leesburg Presbyterian Church, 207 W Market St. (parking is available on site.)
4:45 – 5:30 Silent Vigil: corners of E. Market and S. King St by the County Courthouse, on the sidewalks of the 4 corners of the intersection. (3 block walk from from Leesburg Presbyterian.)
As a diverse group of faith communities in Loudoun County – Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Bahai’, Unitarian, Hindu, and Buddhist – we would like to assert our commitment to one another. A safe community is a united community, one that honors the inherent worth and dignity of every diverse participant. It is this kind of safe community that we wish to affirm for Loudoun County.
We will gather at 4:00pm at Leesburg Presbyterian Church for an invocation and brief prayer led by clergy from several faiths, and walk the three blocks to the County Courthouse square. We will hold a silent candlelit Vigil on the sidewalks at the intersection of E. Market and S. King Streets, across from the County Courthouse. Based on the number of participants, we may use the sidewalks on all four corners. Participants are encouraged to bring traditional quotes from their faith that represent how we welcome our neighbor, the ‘Other’ and the ‘Stranger’. We will place these quotes on placards (2’ X 2’) to be held during the silent Vigil. We will have candles available to be held during the Vigil.
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Clergy and religious leaders that have expressed their support and interest in participating include:
Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling
Rabbi Amy Sapowith and Ray Daffner, Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation, Ashburn
Rizwan Jaka, ADAMS Center, Sterling
Rev David Milam, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Purcellville
Rev Debbie Parsons, Leesburg Presbyterian
Rev David Douthette, Catoctin Presbyterian Church, Waterford
Pastor David Norman, Crossroads United Methodist Church, Ashburn
Mike Trivett, Christian Fellowship Church
Sher Singh, Guru Angad Institute of Sikh Studies, Sterling
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i’s of Loudoun County, Sterling
Sheila Kryston, Goose Creek Friends Meeting, Lincoln
Nitin Dogra, Hindu American Seva Communities
Rev Phyllis Hubble, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Loudoun
Cathy Norman, Board of Directors, Loudoun Interfaith Bridges
Kurt Aschermann, Community Table of Loudoun