Amid the twin trends in the United States of converting and leaving polls identified by Pew Research Center polls, this week’s clergy speak about how they welcome the unattached, those of a different faith, and others trying to join their communities.
Isma H. Chaudhry
Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Long Island Islamic Center, Westbury
The Arabic word for mosque is masjid, a place of prostration. Muslims are encouraged by Scripture to make offering their prayers a priority in congregation. A Masjid serves as a hub for dynamic community engagement, helping members fulfill their religious duties of worship and charity, deepening religious knowledge, understanding and living Biblical introductions, and the growth of a vibrant community of to support believers that is called umm in the Muslim tradition.
One does not have to be a member to enjoy the space to pray, be guided by the Imam and experience the blessings of fellowship in a community. Masjid is considered the House of Allah and the doors are always open to any Muslim, man or woman, as well as non-Muslims who wish to know anything about Islam.
The sole purpose of membership, which requires a small annual fee, is to fund the upkeep of the mosque and ensure a continued presence and commitment of members to serve the community by holding management and board positions. Members and non-members can make monetary donations to donation boxes in the Masjid for mosque upkeep and charity.
Rabbi Jay Weinstein
Simchat HaLev Parish, Woodbury
Not all synagogues are the same. Everyone is welcome in our synagogue! There are many types of synagogues on Long Island, representing the various movements of Judaism. Each synagogue within these movements may have a set of criteria for membership, in addition to a dues structure; we are not.
We are affiliated with the Jewish Renewal Movement. The movement’s founder, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, of blissful memory, believed in making Judaism welcoming and accessible to all. Our synagogue makes the Jewish experience accessible, engaging, God-centered and spiritually grounded, steeped in tradition and driven by love. Our members say we are welcoming, inclusive and caring. Members represent the true diversity of Long Island, and since COVID-19, we’ve maintained a global presence using live streaming technology.
The members come from Reformed, Conservative and Reconstructivist Judaism. Others are secular, and still others do not identify as Jewish but are related to someone who is, or want to learn more about the faith. There are families with children and families without. We have members who choose to be partners, married, divorced, engaged or single. Regardless of gender expression, orientation, or level of compliance, all are welcome and welcomed to join us. So the simple answer is: membership is unconditional!
Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter
Pastor, Patchogue Congregational Church
I believe one in hand is worth two in the bush. Many who donate and participate in our church are not technically members. People seem suspicious of institutions, formal commitments, vows, oaths and vows. But they often, when inspired, strive to embrace and support goodness, justice, and love whenever and wherever they see it.
We welcome and value active non-members as much as we do inactive members. Years ago a person of another faith wanted to join our Christian church. Our bylaws state that a member must make a creed or creed. The statute also mentions baptism, but states that the requirement of faith and baptism may be waived by the deacons or by church vote. Our potential member was a believer, but not a baptized Christian. The statutes clearly assume, but do not say, that only a Christian can or will join our church. But it was decided that faith was the standard. The deacons welcomed them and the congregation chose them. She has been a member for years.
Wherever people are on their spiritual journey, they are accepted and welcome here. However, as a first step, many people check out a place of worship through its website or social media before visiting in person.
AMiddle of the twin trends in the United States of Religious Conversion and Leaving, identified in Pew Research Center polls, this week’s clergy speak about how they welcome the unattached, those of other faiths, and others trying to join their congregations.
Isma H. Chaudhry
Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Long Island Islamic Center, Westbury
The Arabic word for mosque is masjid, a place of prostration. Muslims are encouraged by Scripture to make offering their prayers a priority in congregation. A Masjid serves as a hub for dynamic community engagement, helping members fulfill their religious duties of worship and charity, deepening religious knowledge, understanding and living Biblical introductions, and the growth of a vibrant community of to support believers that is called umm in the Muslim tradition.
One does not have to be a member to enjoy the space to pray, be guided by the Imam and experience the blessings of fellowship in a community. Masjid is considered the House of Allah and the doors are always open to any Muslim, man or woman, as well as non-Muslims who wish to know anything about Islam.
The sole purpose of membership, which requires a small annual fee, is to fund the upkeep of the mosque and ensure a continued presence and commitment of members to serve the community by holding management and board positions. Members and non-members can make monetary donations to donation boxes in the Masjid for mosque upkeep and charity.
Rabbi Jay Weinstein
Simchat HaLev Parish, Woodbury
Not all synagogues are the same. Everyone is welcome in our synagogue! There are many types of synagogues on Long Island, representing the various movements of Judaism. Each synagogue within these movements may have a set of criteria for membership, in addition to a dues structure; we are not.
We are affiliated with the Jewish Renewal Movement. The movement’s founder, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, of blissful memory, believed in making Judaism welcoming and accessible to all. Our synagogue makes the Jewish experience accessible, engaging, God-centered and spiritually grounded, steeped in tradition and driven by love. Our members say we are welcoming, inclusive and caring. Members represent the true diversity of Long Island, and since COVID-19, we’ve maintained a global presence using live streaming technology.
The members come from Reformed, Conservative and Reconstructivist Judaism. Others are secular, and still others do not identify as Jewish but are related to someone who is, or want to learn more about the faith. There are families with children and families without. We have members who choose to be partners, married, divorced, engaged or single. Regardless of gender expression, orientation, or level of compliance, all are welcome and welcomed to join us. So the simple answer is: membership is unconditional!
Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter
Pastor, Patchogue Congregational Church
I believe one in hand is worth two in the bush. Many who donate and participate in our church are not technically members. People seem suspicious of institutions, formal commitments, vows, oaths and vows. But they often, when inspired, strive to embrace and support goodness, justice, and love whenever and wherever they see it.
We welcome and value active non-members as much as we do inactive members. Years ago a person of another faith wanted to join our Christian church. Our bylaws state that a member must make a creed or creed. The statute also mentions baptism, but states that the requirement of faith and baptism may be waived by the deacons or by church vote. Our potential member was a believer, but not a baptized Christian. The statutes clearly assume, but do not say, that only a Christian can or will join our church. But it was decided that faith was the standard. The deacons welcomed them and the congregation chose them. She has been a member for years.
Wherever people are on their spiritual journey, they are accepted and welcome here. However, as a first step, many people check out a place of worship through its website or social media before visiting in person.
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