Window Newsletter 5.5.21

In a few weeks, Broadway and many other churches will celebrate Pentecost. On that day, we remember the story of the Holy Spirit coming upon her Church, and we will take the Global Missions offering. However, one of our beloved ecumenical partners, friends, and recipients of this offering won’t be celebrating Pentecost until June.
 
Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili and Peace Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia, will celebrate Pentecost in June, as they follow the Eastern Orthodox calendar. Two years ago, Becky Delaune and I (Sara Kelm) were able to celebrate with our Georgian friends in person. My overwhelming memory of Pentecost at Peace Cathedral is marked with the smell of springtime: freshly cut grass and flowers were spread all along the center aisle (you can read more about our experience here.)
 
Peace Cathedral, its bishops, and its congregants are doing important spiritual work in Tbilisi. Though the church has been relocated and thrown out—in both physical and philosophical ways—over the years, Peace Cathedral is a place where the poor in spirit, in possessions, and in social standing can find a home and a community. All are welcome for Eucharist on Sunday morning and the evening prayer meetings, which happen many times per week.
 
The church and its leadership are also driving forces of interfaith and inclusion in Tbilisi. Bishop Malkhaz teaches students at the university and at the Yezidi temple, and he has meaningful relationships with people from all faith backgrounds, from religious leaders to refugees. Bishop Rusudan Gotsiridze works for the rights of women of all faiths and ethnicities; she even received a medal from Michelle Obama for her work. Bishop Ilia Osephashvili is also a central figure in Peace Cathedral’s interfaith work in the surrounding Tbilisi community.
 
However, the interfaith connections of Peace Cathedral are not only intellectual or even social; they are also personal. The ongoing Peace Cathedral Peace Project is in the midst of building a small synagogue and a small mosque off Peace Cathedral’s main sanctuary, so that no matter what turmoil hits Georgia in years to come, our brothers and sisters will have places to worship. Peace Cathedral is also working on an interfaith library for adults and a children’s library, stocked with children’s books in multiple languages about the love of God.
 
Ultimately, Bishops Malkhaz Songulashvili, Rusudan Gotsiridze and Ilia Osephashvili are advocates and friends to those in need in Tbilisi, Georgia, and beyond, They support refugees, internally displaced citizens, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, all who are frequently persecuted in the conservative Orthodox culture of Georgia. Beyond simply providing support, they also work to preserve and promote the dignity of all individuals, not just assuming their needs but asking how best they can serve. They do all of this in the name of Jesus.
 
Bishop Malkhaz has been a friend to Broadway for many years, and we have been blessed to be the friends of Peace Cathedral. We look forward to celebrating Pentecost with them from afar, grateful for the ways we can be part of the Spirit’s movement in their community.
 
For more information about Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili, Peace Cathedral, and Tbilisi, please see Ryon’s recent Courageous Conversation with Bishop Malkhaz and this short booklet discussing the philosophy behind and progress on the Peace Cathedral Peace Project. Also, feel free to revisit the blog posts I wrote during my time in Tbilisi. 

Keeping Connected with the Broadway Mobile App
Now more than ever having the church directory at your fingertips is a valuable tool! The Broadway mobile app offers many useful features such as:

• Update your contact information
• View worship services
• Secure giving
• Secure view of financial contributions
• Submit a prayer request or contact the church office
• View and register for events and more!

Community Prayers
Pray for our staff and volunteers at the Community Center as they provide groceries, sack lunches, and meals to our community.
 
Pray for all those who work in hospitals, shelters, and our first responders.
 
Pray for those who are facing loss or reduction of employment.
 
Pray for families with children at home as well as parents trying to balance working from home or a sudden income loss. 

Pray for our school administrators, teachers, parents, and students as they continue to navigate new ways of learning.