ASSEMBLIES SHARING HOUSES OF FAITH PACTS OFFER FLOCKS MUTUAL EDUCATION.Byline: - Holly Andres Religious bservance, one of the foundations for the good life in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , is available in a variety of faiths, worship service styles, congregation sizes, languages and locations. There are more than 350 religious congregations in the Valley, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the San Fernando Valley Interfaith in·ter·faith adj. Of, relating to, or involving persons of different religious faiths: an interfaith marriage; an interfaith forum. Council. ``Finding a religious home in the Valley is not a problem sharing our religious homes is a different story,'' said the Rev. Gregory Frost Gregory Frost (born 1951) is an American author of science fiction and fantasy, and directs a fiction writing workshop at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa. from St. Andrew and St. Charles Episcopal Church Episcopal Church, Anglican church of the United States. Its separate existence as an American ecclesiastical body with its own episcopate began in 1789. Doctrine and Organization in Granada Hills. ``We need more houses of worship to share their space with others, or at least to enter into a companion relationship with another community of faith wherein members of the different communities can share fellowship and worship opportunities together.'' Frost's own congregation has shared its sanctuary, classrooms and social hall with Temple Beth Torah, a Reform Jewish congregation, for more than 10 years. The two congregations have a built-in opportunity to learn about each other's beliefs and also to do community outreach together as they collect and serve food through the church's Feed the Hungry program at Hansen Dam Hansen Dam in Los Angeles County, California was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District in 1939 and 1940. The project is located near the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley on Tujunga Wash, about one mile below the confluence of the Big Tujunga Wash . ``Our most emotional moment together was immediately after Sept. 11, when we held a joint prayer and memorial service,'' said Rabbi Sheryl Nosan-Blank. ``We've prayed for peace in the Middle East together. We've had opportunities to join together socially with community dinners. When both congregations are working together, we know we're enriching our community really profoundly.'' Nosan-Blank and Frost plan to offer an educational forum, a first for the two congregations, during the weeks leading up to Passover and Easter this year. ``The questions to ask: Are we willing to share our Communion tables, like break bread, share bread and eat liturgically li·tur·gi·cal also li·tur·gic adj. 1. Of, relating to, or in accordance with liturgy: a book of liturgical forms. 2. Using or used in liturgy. , with one another? Are we willing, as clergy, to share in interfaith marriages? Are we willing to condemn the hate within our own communities and not simply point to others?'' Frost said. ``The barrier in the Valley is not finding a religious home but in accepting another's religious home into our homes.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) The Rev. Greg Frost of St. Andrew and St. Charles Episcopal Church and Rabbi Sheryl Nosan-Blank of Temple Beth Torah share a sanctuary in Granada Hills. Evan Yee |
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