Blessings Abound at the Habitat Pinellas “Interfaith House” Dedication
Monday, January 9, 2012
Media links: Channel 8 Tampa Tribune
Channel 13 Clearwater Patch
Tampa Bay Times
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If you missed yesterday’s dedication of the Miller home, you missed something really special.
Yes, they are all special in their own ways. Perhaps the word I should use is “remarkable.” I’m not sure that captures it either.
Billed as the “Interfaith House,” this started as a visit from Steve Lightburn to Central Christian Church to thank them for their many years of giving to our organization, and to see if they wanted to add to the $22,000 they had contributed over the years and sponsor a home. Instead, the pastor, Donna Oberkreser, asked if a church sponsored/built by a coalition of faiths would be of interest. As Steve said at the dedication yesterday, this was the beginning of the “Journey.” Pastor Oberkreser reached out to Temple B’nai Israel and received a favorable reception from Rabbi Daniel Treiser, and next on to the Islamic Center of St. Petersburg, who also joined in. Along the way, Steve Coderre, one of our longtime volunteers, invited more Muslims though the Islamic Center of Pinellas County, and you could tell by the dedication that all three faiths were “all in” and are Habitat converts!
We had our usual dedication presentations by Valpak, the hammer presentation by a volunteer (Trevor Cook, son of Gary) and then Gary Cook, who always represents Progress Energy in a gracious and humorous way, along with pointing out how Habitat builds an Energy Star home that saves each family more than $600 annually in utility bills alone. Next, the bible was presented by Eric Muniz, Ms. Miller’s family partner, who just also happens to be our “go-to” guy to professionally advise families entering our program work on their credit.
Vice-Mayor George Cretekos (possibly soon-to-be Mayor of Clearwater, given that Frank Hibbard has reached term limits) then stepped up to present the flag, and said, in the spirit of the Interfaith House, that he had his own blessing and proceeded to bless the doorframe and family with holy water from the Greek Orthodox Church. (He cleared this with me before the ceremony. I said as long as you don’t throw a crucifix in the pond, we’re good! We don’t know what’s in that pond…)
The family was up next and Ms. Tiffani Miller gave a tearful thank you to everyone who helped and especially to Robert Reeves.
Then we all stepped up to lay hands on the home during the blessings, as is our tradition. What was not traditional – we had FOUR blessings, all of them beautifully said and loving and respectful of all faiths represented. I happened to be near the microphone as I laid my hand on Ms. Miller’s mom’s shoulder, who was touching the home. I have to say that my spirit was really uplifted as I watched Pastor Oberkreser give her blessing while the Rabbi made sure that he was touching the home as he laid his hand on the Pastor’s shoulder. Then they switched places, and the Rabbi blessed the home in both English and Hebrew. I could tell there were many representing the Jewish faith in the crowd as they added their voices in Hebrew. The Imam who was scheduled to give the blessing had a medical emergency, but Anas Alghazzi from the Islamic Center of Pinellas County filled in most amiably. Last, but not least, Ms. Miller’s Pastor, Reverend Bernard Smith from the St. James AME Church tied all of the blessings up in a neat bow and asked Tiffani Miller and her daughter to open the door for their new home.
As Steve Lightburn noted, "and now THEIR journey begins."
Blessings,
Barbara Inman, President/CEO
PS – this was our 235th home in Pinellas County and by our count, our work has now housed 600 children in safe, decent, affordable housing!
PHOTOS ABOVE: From left in group: Pastor Donna Oberkreser, Cedaizha and Tiffani Miller, Ula Armashi, Anas AlGhazzi, Andrea Mason and Rabbi Daniel Treiser. Lower photo: Cedaizha and Tiffani close their eyes during the blessings ( Tiffani's mom and Barbara Inman to their right).
Home Improvement Experts Join Volunteers to Complete Landscaping on Habitat Interfaith House
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Home improvement experts Lynda Lyday and Brian Santos were on hand Wednesday morning to assist nearly 30 volunteers from Central Christian Church, the Islamic Society of Pinellas County and Temple B'nai Israel with the landscaping for the Habitat Pinellas "Interfaith House."
With an emphasis on compassion and good works, the three faiths decided to unite for a common goal by working together to sponsor the house, which is being built for Tiffani Miller and her family. The Christian, Jewish and Muslim volunteers were shoveling, raking and planting alongside national home improvement expert and DIY television host Lynda Lyday and home improvement television host and author Brian Santos, also known as “The Wall Wizard.”
The "Interfaith House" will be dedicated on Sunday, January 8th at 2 p.m. At that time, faith leaders from each congregation will bestow a special blessing before Tiffani Miller receives the keys to her new home.
Thank you to the volunteers from all three faiths who helped with this very special build!
PHOTOS / Top, from left: Pastor Donna Oberkreser from Central Christian Church, Anas Alghazzi of the Islamic Society of Pinellas County, and Andrea Mason of Temple B'nai Israel. Bottom, Denise and Ray from Temple B'nai Israel work with a Hajjah from the Islamic Society of Pinellas County.
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Click to see article in Feather Sound News!
