Time of New Beginnings

Throughout history the month of January held different beliefs for everyone. In American culture and other places around the world, it is viewed as the mark of a New Year. What we tend to forget is that January is the marking of a New Year according to the Gregorian calender. Different religions around the world, including the U.S., have already celebrated their New Year together starting as early as September.

Rosh Hashanna marks the start of other New Years throughout the world. It is the first High Holiday for the Jewish communities. Rosh Hashanna is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, as ordained in the Torah, in Leviticus 23:24.

The Coptic Orthodox Church is next with their New Year starting around September 11th of the Gregorian calender. Most neo-Pagan religions celebrate New Years on Samhain with we commonly refer to as Halloween, October 31st. Leaving the Muslim religions celebrating on the first of Muharram. Muharram is the first month of the Muslim calender and can occur anytime between the Gregorian December 18th and January 16th.

The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates New Years on the 14th of January. Since that day is actually January 1st according to the Julian Calender. The Chinese New Years celebration can occur anytime between January 21st and February 21st.

Behind it all New Years can occur anytime of year depending on your beliefs and traditions. That is why here at The Holy Order of St. Raphael Interfaith we have marked the Gregorian month of January as a Time of Beginnings. We encourage you to find those things in your life that you long to change and attempt it. Perhaps you have wished you could have done more last year to help others. It is never too late and you should make that a part of your new beginnings.

If there is one thing that should be noted, it is that all religions and customs believe in a new beginning at some point through the year. Why not make your new beginning now, no matter what your beliefs. Perhaps you had your new year and just need to start again because of personal reasons. I personally will strive to dedicate my life more to having fun as my new beginning. Take a moment and meditate on yours.

Yours in Faith,
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta.
Presiding Archbishop

The Interfaith Creed

I believe in one God who goes by many names and is worshipped throughout the world. My God doesn’t care what name I use as long as I give honor.

From this God came forth all humans who are created equal as brothers and sisters of this world. Each of us, no matter what we believe, are the sons and daughters of God with the ability to have a oneness with God.

God granted unto all humans unconditional love, peace, and self-responsibility.

As a gift, God gave each of us Spirituality to express it any way we choose. In doing so, we have used it as a way to suppress one another.

God commanded us to “Be Still and Know that I AM”, but we did not listen. God then commanded “The kingdom of heaven lies within you” as a way to remind all of our equality to one another, but again we did not listen.

So to assure that salvation could be reached, God sent forth messengers to all faiths of the world. Through these great teachers, we are able to be saved from our own destruction. They were given many names and many titles but we used that as a way to divide us further.

Their messages were said louder of “You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Yet we still did not listen.

God has promised salvation to any who believe in unconditional love for all, peace, and self-responsibility.

Therefore, I believe in the Spirituality of a loving God who does not care what name I give, but only that I uphold the promise of a better tomorrow through my own actions.

I believe in a Spirituality that does not seek to divide humanity but bring us back together through the foundations of God.

I believe in the message set in stone and parchment that has been told throughout all generations of a God who walks with me.

I believe that when I am silent God is near and that my body is a key that unlocks the spirit of heaven within me.

I believe that one day all my brothers and sisters, made by and in the image of God, will unite again as one for the salvation of humankind. Together we will give honor to God as the messengers have instructed and God has commanded.

Until that day I will know that God is and always will be.

A Miracle

Do miracles really exist and if they do what really constitutes as a miracle? Does it have to be ordained as some large event that requires trumpets blowing and angels singing as the crowd looks on with shock? Is it required to only be performed from those beyond the physical body? If you answer yes to either of the last 2 questions then you may be in for real treat.

Miracles happen every moment of every day. Several of them are just taken for granted by us. They don't require parlor tricks or some spirit without a physical body to create them. You and I alone create miracles.

Every time that we give a coat to someone who does not have one we have given them a miracle. They didn't expect to receive a coat from us. They didn't ask us for it. We willing gave it and that is a miracle for them.

When driving through a fast food drive thru and asking to pay for the person behind you. Especially when you don't know who they are, that creates a miracle for them.

When we walk up to someone without and hand them money of any denomination, that is a miracle for them.

We look at miracles as being cured from blindness, disease, or being saved from a horrific car wreck. These are miracles from a Spirit beyond the physical body. What we do with each other without being asked or expected to is the true miracle that opens our own and touches others hearts.

My question...no challenge to you is, what miracle have you performed lately? It doesn't require money to perform miracles. Giving your time to someone else is the most precious gift ever.

You can read to the elderly. You can teach a child to read who has difficulty. You can listen to someone who just needs a shoulder to cry on. You can volunteer in a soup kitchen or other shelter. There are so many things that don't require money. Even finding something around your home that you no longer need or use and giving it to a needy is the beauty of a true miracle.

Whenever I see the look on their face, either shock, smile, or tears, that is the true meaning of a miracle for me. That touches and warms my heart and allows me to know that I'm doing what I should be doing, helping one another.

Please create a miracle for someone else today. We all have people in our areas that we can share with. Find them and give anyway you personally can. Money is never an issue, time is always free.

Yours In Faith,
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta

The truth behind the Red Kettles

Giving to the Salvation Army is a way that makes us feel good this time of year. When we see their red kettles and bell ringer standing in the cold for their cause, our hearts are warmed with compassion. We believe that we are doing the right thing by giving to a cause that they are willing to freeze for, but are we really? Many people blindly give without even knowing what they are giving to all because of nostalgia. We grew up as little kids begging mom or dad for a coin to place into the kettle and today as adults it helps us reconnect with our childhood. Before you drop another coin into the kettle there are somethings you should know. Perhaps you may be surprised to learn that their views are opposite yours and you could be appalled at what your money has gone to through the years.

The biggest battle to date in almost every state is the issue of civil rights. Civil rights has been a dominating forefront even in our Presidential election this last year. Everyone wants to be treated equally, after all our constitution clearly states that "all man is created equal". Then why is that the Salvation Army is clarifying that homosexuality is wrong? On their website it is written that homosexual should live a life of celibacy. The website goes on to state that they do "not consider same-sex orientation blameworthy in itself". The Salvation Army believes that "Homosexual conduct, like heterosexual conduct, requires individual responsibility and must be guided by the light of scriptural teaching."

Where is the loving compassion for all that the Salvation Army is preaching? When you continue reading they make it clear that anyone is welcome to attend their church. That's right, their church. The Salvation Army is an actual church with buildings located throughout the world.

I took a moment to visit the Chapel at Worthington Woods in Worthington, Ohio. I spoke with their facilities manager about their sanctuary. He informed me that they don't allow for any weddings to take place there so they can "better control" who rents their facilities. They don't want people who stand against their beliefs renting their sanctuary. He went on to tell me about another chapel who had an issue up north with a homosexual couple wanting to have a ceremony there. That is what helped them to determine their new facility rules.

The Salvation Army's website goes on to state that they are "committed to promoting, strengthening and protecting God's institution of marriage". If you need to think what is "God's institute of marriage" don't worry, the Salvation Army has already defined that for you on their site as well.

"The Salvation Army affirms the New Testament standard of marriage, which is the loving union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. Marriage is the first institution ordained by God (Genesis 2:24), and His Word establishes its significance (Matthew 19:4-6). Marriage is the only proper context for sexual intimacy."

They have gone as far to determine some of the things that the Catholic church has tried to enforce for generations. Perhaps we are blinded by the Salvation Army because instead of Priest and Bishops they call themselves Captains and Majors. The real question is what are they trying to cover with these military titles?

It is clear that we don't know everything about the Salvation Army. When we drop a coin into the red kettle we don't see how their religious beliefs may actual conflict with our own. Instead we still eagerly give to their red kettles every year and sacrificing our own convictions, without ever knowing.

There is much more you should know about them before you give again. Take the time to really visit their site and see. If you are like me, someone who openly supports same-sex marriage and partnerships, then perhaps you should move onto another worthy organization to donate to this year. With the way the economy is today I'm sure any non-profit would be thrilled to accept your holiday cheer, then you could believe you are "doing the most good".