Common Word Community Service San Jose 2017
SAN JOSE, California — On Sunday, April 30, 2017, more than forty Muslims and Christians united together to serve the homeless and hungry in San Jose at an AAi compassion event sponsored by Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center (BVMCC), The Episcopal Church in Almaden, and Evergreen Islamic Center. Volunteer orientation was led by The Rev. Shelley Booth Denney, Rector of The Episcopal Church in Almaden, Br. Muneem Shaik, Board Member of Evergreen Islamic Center, and Br. Khaled Neouchy, founder and former Board Member of BVMCC. Volunteers enjoyed getting acquainted in small buddy groups before working together to prepare nearly 300 halal meals for our friends who live outside. Br. Khaled Neouchy led his community in afternoon prayers as Christian volunteers observed and read an English translation of the Arabic liturgy. Volunteers then convoyed together downtown to serve a delicious Middle Eastern meal of chicken and beef kabobs at Cityteam’s soup kitchen. The Reverend Shelley Denney offered a prayer of thanksgiving before recovery center residents dined. Thereafter, Br. Khaled Neouchy of BVMCC recited a dua (prayer) of thanksgiving before homeless guests enjoyed dinner. Given the savory aroma of the meal, Chef Reynolds Stewart of Cityteam correctly predicted that most guests would be back for seconds. Guests also thoroughly enjoyed the fresh fruit and green salads, as well as baklava for dessert. After guests dined, volunteers also enjoyed dinner together. Afterwards, Br. Muneem Shaik thanked all volunteers for their participation and remarked how Evergreen Islamic Center is eagerly looking forward to our next AAi event together. The Rev. Shelley Denney then offered a closing prayer, thanking God for the privilege of serving our neighbors together. Finally Br. Faisal Yazadi, President of Evergreen Islamic Center, offered some closing remarks regarding how delightful working together has been for him, and how he is also very much looking forward to our next service event together.
Special thanks to Br. Khaled Neouchy, Br. Steve Wing, and Sr. Joyce Wing for all the preparations and arrangements they made to provide the food. Many thanks also to Sr. Mary McPherson and Sr. Rola Cheikh who made volunteers feel so welcome upon arrival. Kudos to Br. Muneem Shaik, Br. Khaled Neouchy, Br. Faisal Yazadi, and The Rev. Shelley Denney for their excellent leadership. Thanks to Br. Mir Islam, Br. Ed Mueller, and Sr. Joyce Wing for photographing the event with excellence. Many thanks to all AAi donors who made this event possible. Most of all, thanks be to God الحَمْد لله for blessing us all with the resources and strength to serve our neighbors together.
Photos courtesy of Br. Mir Islam, Br. Ed Mueller, and Sr. Joyce Wing.
Read MoreSpecial thanks to Br. Khaled Neouchy, Br. Steve Wing, and Sr. Joyce Wing for all the preparations and arrangements they made to provide the food. Many thanks also to Sr. Mary McPherson and Sr. Rola Cheikh who made volunteers feel so welcome upon arrival. Kudos to Br. Muneem Shaik, Br. Khaled Neouchy, Br. Faisal Yazadi, and The Rev. Shelley Denney for their excellent leadership. Thanks to Br. Mir Islam, Br. Ed Mueller, and Sr. Joyce Wing for photographing the event with excellence. Many thanks to all AAi donors who made this event possible. Most of all, thanks be to God الحَمْد لله for blessing us all with the resources and strength to serve our neighbors together.
Photos courtesy of Br. Mir Islam, Br. Ed Mueller, and Sr. Joyce Wing.
