Different Faiths Make Good Neighbors: Temple Shalom To Host Vance Memorial Presbyterian’s Sunday Service
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WHEELING -- Members of the Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church will not sit in their usual pews this Sunday thanks to a broken air conditioning system. But thanks to their neighbors at Temple Shalom, their Sunday service will go on as scheduled.
The synagogue will host Vance Memorial's service this Sunday.
The switch occurred when the Rev. Erica Harley of Vance Memorial realized Wednesday morning that their broken air conditioner, for which they ordered new parts several weeks ago, would not be fixed by Sunday.
To avoid an uncomfortable service, she began making calls.
Harley did not have to look long or far for a new location. Rabbi Joshua Lief at the Temple Shalom was the first person she contacted.
"I was hopeful Rabbi Lief would let us rent their social hall because we did not want to be disrespectful to anything in their religious tradition," said Harley.
Lief responded the church could rent out their social hall, but "we weren't going to let Vance Presbyterian Church pay for anything when they could just bring their congregation and have services in our sanctuary."
He explained that it was "critical" for the Temple Shalom to lend a helping hand to their neighbors. The synagogue was "overwhelmed" with support after the shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, and Lief believes letting another faith practice in their sanctuary is an opportunity for the synagogue to give back to the community.
He is also thrilled that Temple Shalom can put the Jewish belief of "helping one's neighbor" into practice.
The largest issue with the switch was the possibility the worship service would include non-kosher food. However, the church only plans to bring worship bulletins and bottles of water, according to Harley.
There are also no time conflicts with the synagogue, as the worship service will take place in the morning and the synagogue has an event planned in the afternoon.
"One of the beauties of being the only Jewish congregation in the upper Ohio Valley is that our Sabbath services occur Friday evening and Saturday morning, so it's not a conflict at all to have something on Sunday for them," Lief said.
While the switch was born from inconvenience, both Harley and Lief described each other as a "good neighbor" due to past collaborations. They have been staunch in helping each other, including lending each other their parking lots during events.
"The Temple has been instrumental in leading our interfaith worship services on special occasions on 9/11, Thanksgiving Eve, that kind of stuff," added Harley.
Harley mentioned that she and Lief had planned on "switching pulpits" and speaking at the other's services before the COVID-19 pandemic. She hopes that this switch helps them get back to the idea.
"I think it's really important for us, particularly in the age we're living in, to demonstrate a sort of camaraderie with people of other faiths," said Harley. "There is so much hate, discrimination, and nastiness in our world that it's nice to be able to cooperate and enjoy one another."
Lief also emphasized the importance of interfaith collaboration and that the synagogue wants to continue to "walk the walk and not just talk the talk" in this regard.
"When those moments occur when we can do something selfless, helpful, kind, and gracious- those are moments we have to seize on," added Lief. "We need to live our values out in the public square."