Where Love and Justice Collide

September 20, 2023

The ancient text in the book of 1st Corinthians 13, also known as the “love chapter,” beautifully describes the essence and significance of love. It emphasizes that love should be the driving force behind all of our actions and interactions with others. The text advises us that love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast. It is not proud or self-seeking, but rather it prioritizes the well-being of others. Love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. It rejoices in truth and always protects, trusts, hopes, and preserves. Love never fails.

Where there is love, there must be justice. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exhorts that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied to a single garment of destiny.” Love and justice inextricably collide. On one hand, love emphasizes forgiveness, understanding, and compassion towards others, even when they have done wrong. It seeks to restore relationships and promote unity. Justice, on the other hand, focuses on fairness, equity, and accountability. How many times in our own lives have we needed both love and justice?

The challenge is for all of us to integrate love and justice by practicing empathy, compassion, and understanding toward others. We must strive to treat everyone we encounter with respect and fairness regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. Promoting change within our society starts by supporting oppressed communities and by being a voice for those who are not heard. By engaging in acts of love and justice in our personal lives, we set an example for others and inspire them to do the same. This delicate integration requires an ongoing process of personal reflection, continuous learning, humility, and the willingness to see a different perspective.

As our community grapples with loss, pain, grief, and conflict – may the reality of our mutuality guide us to meaningful dialogue and earnest heartfelt engagement. We stand at a crossroads in our society. We can choose what unites us or we can choose what continues to divide us. May the principles of love and justice restore us, lift us, heal us, and realign our humanity.

Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter, Director, Center for Dialogue & Action

Cups For a Cause

Community Garden

In June 2023, InterFaith Works partnered with Hope Print and Karibou Garden to help families living on the North Side access fresh fruits and vegetables. Karibou Garden, located at 1812 Lodi Street, played a crucial role in achieving this goal by providing fresh produce. InterFaith Works Center for Healthy Aging invited nearby older adults to visit the garden and learn about this amazing resource. Throughout the summer, three gatherings were held during which the older adults were able to take plants home and harvest fresh produce. The staff from HopePrint and Karibou Garden also taught everyone how to cultivate a sustainable garden.

Looking for Ways to Help a Family Resettle in CNY?

Donate Through the Walmart and Amazon Resettlement Wish Lists

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See the Newly Added TARGET Wish List!

Imagine setting up an apartment for daily living. Most of us have moved households at some point, but imagine setting up everything from bedsheets to kitchenware and all the items in between. Refugee families face this reality when arriving in Central New York, and InterFaith Works meets those needs for every client and family, thanks to caring people like you.

The Center for New Americans Resettlement Wish Lists are a new way to contribute household items to help a family resettle here. It's as simple as following the link and placing an order through the TARGET, Walmart and Amazon websites. Your order ships directly to the InterFaith Works warehouse in East Syracuse. From there, staff and volunteers work tirelessly to distribute items, so that newly arriving families have everything they need.

The needs of the warehouse stockpiles will change, as will the needs of arriving families, depending on the month and/or season, so check out the Resettlement Wish Lists today, next week, next month or periodically for current needs, and thank you for being part of creating new homes in Central New York!

If you would like to donate goods and/or household items from your home or residence, the warehouse (14 Corporate Circle, East Syracuse) is open for drop off on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am to noon. For large donation items, the InterFaith Works truck can be scheduled for pick up in the greater Syracuse area on Mondays only. For more information about the warehouse/truck drop off or pick up services and schedules, contact Rhonda Butler at 315-449-3552, ext. 127, or email rbutler@ifwcny.org.

Click here for a list of acceptable home/residential items

Walmart Wish List

Target Wish List

Amazon Wish List

Employment at InterFaith Works

Click the boxes to learn more about each position and apply today!

See all available positions here!

El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action Seeks Dialogue Facilitators

Contact Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter at 315-449-3552, ext. 111,

or email Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter.

Community Bulletin Board

If you would like us to promote your community event, please email us at info@ifwcny.org with the word "Bulletin" in the subject line. Please include:

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We will make every effort to include your announcement in our bimonthly updates. Due to limited space, submissions will be reviewed for inclusion and may be abridged if necessary.

View the Community Bulletin Board

About InterFaith Works of CNY

InterFaith Works affirms the dignity of each person and every faith tradition, builds racial and religious equity, and creates bridges of understanding among us. The agency has served the Central New York community for 47 years with programs that include the Center for New Americans, El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action, and Senior Services.

InterFaith Works of CNY

1010 James St.

Syracuse, NY 13203

Phone: 315-449-3552 Fax: 315-449-3103

Email: info@ifwcny.org

interfaithworks.org

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