In early November, the youth traveled to Wayland to visit the Islamic Center of Boston for a half day workshop which included a tour of their facility, education about their faith practices, a documentary film on Islam in America Today followed by a question and answer session.  We were joined by youth and adults from other churches in the surrounding towns.   It was a “packed house” filled with generous spirit, informative presentations, and gracious hospitality.

In December, our new friends at this mosque received a horrible, hate-filled letter from an anonymous writer who signed it from “Americans for a Better Way”.  Reading about this hate crime broke our hearts.  In response, the youth joined together in creating two large baskets of homemade baked goods and a banner/card that expressed our support and solidarity.  Added to this, were many beautiful cards made by the Middler Class and also a card signed by others in our congregation.  After church on Sunday, two of our church families drove to the mosque with our gifts and joined hands and hearts with hundreds of other people who were there for a community wide peace rally.   It was so moving and powerful to witness the loud and proud conviction that “Love is Stronger than Hate”.