Spirituality

To My Home

Three houses of worship open doors to teach
about their religious traditions.

Rabbi Arnie
Sleutelberg of
Congregation Shir
Tikvah

said those touring the
building will see a
prayer box. It's used
windows. Behind the
during services to
othing better describes who
church is an outdoor
hold notes of "special
we are as people of faith as
sanctuary with a gazebo
prayer intentions
well as where we worship,"
and shrubbery donated by
written by members
said David Blewett.
members in memory or
of the congregation.
Blewett, executive director of the
honor of others. A memo-
Named for the first
Ecumenical Institute of Jewish-
rial garden in a courtyard
American-born
Christian Studies in Southfield,
includes trees and flowers,
Catholic woman to
described the group's upcoming annu-
and a wrought-iron fence
be named a saint, St.
al Church-Synagogue-Tour as "one of
surrounds an area where
Elizabeth Ann Seton
the better programs we sponsor." He
ashes of the dead have
was the founder of
said the event, held in a different
been scattered.
the American
location for the last three years, will
The Reverends Judy and
The Reverends Judy and Henry Borchardt of Northminster Presbyterian
Catholic school sys-
for the first time venture east — to
Henry
Borchardt share
Church
tem and the first
Troy" on Sunday, Oct. 17.
teaching.and administrative
American sisterhood,
Three religious institutions will
responsibilities for the
of the rabbi and the Torah to the con-
known today as the Daughters of
make available their buildings and
Northminster Church congregation.
gregation, and the massive bank of win-
Charity. The 900-family congregation,
members to conduct tours and share
Supporting the philosophy of the
dows" after Northminster.
headed by pastor Father Ron Essman,
their observances. The afternoon begins
Institute, Rabbi Sleutelberg said it is
Other highlights on the Shir Tikvah
participates in a wide range of educa-
with a 1:30 p.m. visit to St. Elizabeth
important to visit other denomina-
tour include seeing the first step to the
tional and outreach programs.
Ann Seton Catholic Church, followed
tions to explore their symbolism and
bima, which is made of Jerusalem lime-
Those touring Shir Tikvah and
by Northminster Presbyterian Church
gain a better understanding of their
stone, the rabbi said, so that everyone
Northminster
and then Congregation
observance. 17
given "an aliya from the Torah, steps on
Church no doubt
Shir Tikvah. The corn-
the stone from Israel."
Kg
will notice some
munity is invited.
n
B74
The two congregations presented to
similarities
Barbara Yuhas, pro-
The Ecumenical Institute for
one another as gifts a peace pole. The
between
the
two
gram director of the
Jewish-Christian
Studies' annual
four-sided,
four-by-eight-foot
poles
each
'N
.
..
in building style.
Institute, said the pro-
r•M Ng al n
Church-Synagogue Tour on
read "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in
Rabbi Arnie
gram is an opportunity to
Sunday, Oct. 17, takes place at
various languages. At Northminster, the
The Ecu menical Institute
Sleutelberg said
learn about different reli-
the following locations in Troy:
writing is in English, Hebrew, Arabic
is spons oring its annual
his congregants
gious traditions from spir-
• 1:30-2:15 p.m., St. Elizabeth
and Russian. The Shir Tikvah pole reads
were
"lucky
to
be
itual and lay leaders.
Ann
Seton Catholic Church, 280
in Hebrew, English, American Sign
Church- Synagogue Tour
hosted warmly
Saying she hopes guests
E.
Square
Lake Road.
Language and Braille as well as Arabic,
in Troy.
will notice similarities as
and graciously by
• 2:30-3:15 p.m.,
which Rabbi Sleutelberg describes as "a
[Northminister]
well as differences among
Northminster Presbyterian
sign of hope for future peace." As the
for 11 1 /2 years,"
the three congregations,
Church, 3633 W. Big Beaver
last stop on the tour, Shir Tikvah will
before Shir Tikvah had a building of its
she noted their common interest in
Road.
host a dessert-social.
own. Some of the comforts his congre-
music, such as Northminster's three bell
• 3:30-4:15 p.m. Congregation
Carol Hartung, administrative
gants had become accustomed to carried
choirs, St. Elizabeth's musical element in
Shir
Tik-vah, 3900 Northfield
assistant at the 225-member
over into the 1998 construction of the
worship and Shir Tikvah's name means
Parkway.
Northminster Presbyterian Church
new synagogue. Rabbi Sleutelberg said
song of hope."
Those interested in joining the
describes the Yamasaki-designed
his 300-family synagogue modeled its
Tom Lawler, worship director of St.
free tour should call the Institute,
architecture of the building as one
new, very low bima and close proximity
Elizabeth Ann Sewn Catholic Church,
that includes domes and stained-glass

SHELLI DORFMAN
Staff Writer

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10/15
1999

Detroit Jewish News

73