Since Thanksgiving, many of us are filling up our daily lives with holiday activities. The backdrop of this holiday season is the conflict taking place halfway around the world. The war in Iraq is on all of our minds.

We read about death and destruction everyday in the newspaper. The underlying tone of the endless terrorism sings out the phrase, "holy war." I think most of us will agree that there is nothing holy about this war.

In our part of the world, we have held out hope, and honor those who have defended our values and our way of life. We pay tribute to those who have fallen on the battlefields. It is in that hope and honor for others that very joyous and inspirational acts occur that give us strength and touch our hearts.

Since August of 1996, Westminster Presbyterian Church on 74^th Avenue and Bradburn Boulevard has hosted the congregation of B’nai Torah, a Jewish synagogue that was looking for a home.

For the past nine years, both congregations have worked around each other’s schedules to accommodate their respective religious activities. B’nai Torah celebrates their services on the 2^nd and 4^th Friday night and 2^nd Saturday of each month.

B’nai Torah hosts a congregation of about 70 families while Westminster Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1892, has 433 members.

What is even more unique and awe-inspiring is that both parishes have come together for Bible study. The 9-11 tragedy brought them together for a prayer service in mourning of those who lost their lives.

During this holiday season, the relationship between B’nai Torah and Westminster Presbyterian Church demonstrates to our community and hopefully the world the true meaning of "Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men."