Interfaith healing service for Gulf set for June 24

A special, county-wide interfaith healing service for the oil-slick Gulf of Mexico is set for Thursday, June 24 at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom in Clearwater.

The community is invited to the event, supported by a wide range of local clergy who will participate with prayer and song, giving a spiritual voice to concerns about the the devastating oil spill.

The special service is co-sponsored by the Pinellas County Interfaith Environmental Coalition and Repower America, the environmental organization founded by former vice president Al Gore; in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties.

The service is “intended as a way for us to raise our voices together in recognition of the human suffering and damage to our planet as a result of the Gulf oil spill, and to unite in a positive prayerful consciousness,” said Rev. Leddy Hammock of the Unity Church in Clearwater.

Calling the oil spill, the “biggest ecological disaster of our generation,” Rabbi Danielle Upbin of Congregation Beth Shalom said the prayer service can have a positive, even long-term impact.

“As non-scientists, and not employed by BP or the federal government, there is nothing we can do to stop the geyser,” she said. “But we can get involved in lasting clean-up efforts, advocate for alternative energy and make it known that an environmental crisis should never happen again.”

Her sentiment was echoed by Clearwater musician Blake Lenett, who also will participate in the service: “We are putting aside our differences and coming together with thoughts of saving our planet,” he said. “In a way we are hoping for a miracle.”

Scheduled speakers are Lance Orchid, state director of Repower Florida, and Darden Rice, of the Gulf Restoration Network.

“We will gather to listen to experts on how to move from crisis to solution as we unite in spirit to effect healing in the Gulf and in the community,” Rabbi Upbin said.

At press time, Jewish clergy scheduled to participate included Rabbi Upbin, Rabbi David Weizman of Beth Shalom and Cantor Jennifer Duretz-Peled of Temple B’nai Israel in Clearwater.

Other participating clergy and musicians included representation from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Clearwater, Tarpon Springs Greek Orthodox Church, St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Clearwater, the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater and the Clearwater B’hai Faith Center.

Congregation Beth Shalom is located at 1325 S. Belcher Road. For more information, call the synagogue at (727) 531-1418.