This program is currently on hiatus.
The “Who Is My Neighbor?” series at St. Mary’s is designed to help us follow the great commandments as given by Jesus in Matthew 23:34-40:
One of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question to test him.
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And the second is like it:
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
If we are to love our neighbors, we must know who they are and how we are called into relationship with them. The title of the series is from the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), in which a man, seeking to prove that he has followed the commandments, asks Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus's answer was surprising--and it gives shape to our understanding of our work to reach out to everyone with God's love, regardless of status, health, and heritage.
Each event in the "Who Is My Neighbor?" series provides an introduction to a group within our community who may not be well understood, followed by a time for questions and conversation.
All are welcome to come learn and listen to God’s call to us to love.
Events in this series:
June 17, 2018
6:00 pm
The Doctrine of Discovery: Its Effects and the Church's Response
Presented by the Rev. Deacon Lewis Powell
The Doctrine of Discovery has impacted race relations around the world, and in the United States was combined with the concept of Manifest Destiny to guide U.S. relations with indigenous peoples.
October 22, 2017
6:30 p.m.
"Who Is My Refugee Neighbor?" Presented by Usama Khalil, Chairman of the Social Services and Education Committee of the Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organization (COSVIO) and founder and executive director of Refugee Enrichment & Development Association.
August 27, 2017
6:30 p.m.
"Islam 102" Presented by Imam Sayed Waheed of the Elk Grove American Muslim Community Center.
June 25, 2017
6:30 p.m.
"Who Is My Buddhist Neighbor?" Presented by Susan Farrar of the Lion's Roar Dharma Center in Sacramento.
May 8, 2017
6:30 p.m.
"Who Is My Homeless Neighbor?" Presented by Debbie Schoeneshoefer of the Elk Grove Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART).
April 9, 2017 (Palm Sunday)
5:30 p.m.
"The Jewish Passover Seder: A Celebration of Freedom," presented by Rabbi Seth Castleman, who is chair of the Sacramento Area Council of Rabbis, and a hospice and prison chaplain, wedding officiant, Jewish meditation teacher and, until recently, spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Harim in Grass Valley.
March 15, 2017
6:30 p.m
"Who Is My LGBTQ Neighbor?" presented by Jeff Teague, Youth Minister at Elk Grove United Methodist Church, and his colleagues in EGUMC's Reconciling MInistry
January 22, 2017
6:30 p.m.
"Who Is My Sikh Neighbor?" presented by Dr. Gurtej Singh Cheema of Sacramento's Capital Sikh Center
December 4, 2016
6:00 p.m.
"Islam 101" presented by Basim Elkarra, Executive Director of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
