| Show Saturday December 2 2000 Standard-Examin- er a ffaetoi? m teie tech world iMdosflimni ffaofilh How firms observe jRamadan will test today’s workplaces 7A where put their hves on hold and name - “muppies” or Muslim fociis solely on Allah or God urban professionals Muslims pray five tunes a day Although the growth of Islam and for Abushaban two of those in the United States has resulted fall during work hours clashes over religious The scene is rare in Colorado 'practices and dress m the workSprings where the Muslim popuplace the high-tec- h industry is lation is small But m the high-tec- h generally viewed as a leader m world here the population accommodating believers of Muslims is more concentrated That reputation will be put to Abushaban president of the the test as Muslims begin the hoIslamic Society of Colorado ly month of Ramadan to Springs estimates The holiday which is expected one-haof the area’s estimated to begin Tuesday or whenever 200 Muslims hold tech jobs the new moon is visible comMany came to the United memorates the first revelation of States to study and stayed to take the Koran or Qur’an to the jobs The group even has a nick prophet Muhammad Muslims ral (night Ridder COLORADO - SPRINGS Twice a day Farouk Abushaban leaves his cubicle at Oracle Corp and seeks out an A :mpty conference room or two may join him if they’re not on the phone There is no talk of software or the Internet This is prayer time when Abushaban and Muslims every Colo one-quart- er lf are required to abstain from indulgence of any sort - food dnnk or sexual activity - during daylight hours In Colorado Springs many tech companies allow Muslim workers to adjust their schedules to accommodate fasting during Ramadan Many employers also allow Muslim employees to take time off for weekly Friday worship at the city’s only mosque Some have or are considering setting up prayer rooms “Everyone knows me now they know I’m Muslim they know I pray five times a day” said Abushaban a technical con RELIGION Update sultant at Oracle and one of six or seven Muslims at the software company’s Colorado Springs operation “It’s a good work atmosphere You’re expected to work like anyone else The fact that you don’t eat or dnnk at certain times it’s almost transparent" The Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires companies to make reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious practices and beliefs unless it causes undue hardship Generally companies must allow employees to take time off See Jewish group warns schools NEW YORK League a Jewish group that advocates strict separation of church and state has issued a “December Dilemma” pamphlet warning public schools about observing Christmas and other religious holidays Pamphlets are being sent to schools and the league posted the text on its Web page The U S Constitution it says prohibits “school sponsored endorsement or promotion of " religious beliefs of any kind Since the U S Supreme Court has not ruled on many specific issues the league bases its interpretations largely on the court s general principles and decisions by lower federal courts Classes may discuss cultural aspects of religious holidays according to the league but shouldn’t cover just one holiday or religion For instance it suggests that in December schools could study Christmas Hanukkah Kwanzaa Bill of Rights Day and Buddhist Bodhi MUSLIM 8A Values taught Without church Parents teach kids spirituality without an organized religion Knight Day December choral concerts should not focus on one holiday or present only religious music the league says It considers music that is prayerful in content just as improper as spoken school prayers The league says a student drama depicting the birth of Jesus “would be impermissible due to the religious content while a play about Christmas presents is acceptable Ridder Ball was 5 Michael oldofwhen the - Building bombing in Oklahoma City flashed across a television screen He absorbed everything - the rubble the uimage the faces of grief When a tornado rumbled near his Texas home that night Michael asked his mom Is it a bomb°” He became terrified of death to the point of crying when flowers wilted He wanted to know “What happens when we die?" Linda Ball of Garland Texas didn't rely on the answers given by the world's religions to help her son She’s part of a burgeoning segment of the US population that defines itself as "spiritual but not religious “ Dr Robert I uller of Bradley University in Peoria 111 said that 20 percent of Americans identity themselves in that way according to axiological studies Many care deeply about raising spiritual children but want to do it outside a structured tear-streak- religion “Spirituality means all kinds of different things to these people” said I uller who has a forthcoming book on the topic “I or some spirituality remains more philosophical For others it means being actively involved in a meditation group Or it could be nothing more than pausing occasionally and reflecting on whether they are living their lives the best they can " Organized religions offer seemingly unlimited resources and programs to help foster a child's spirituality But parents outside the structures are often left to their own devices Ball tells Michael now 10 stones about Jesus the Buddha and other religious figures Sometimes they pray and meditate together But See VALUES - The 8A Grant approved to help church council NASHVILLE Tenn -- The United Methodist Church finance agency approved an emergency grant of $400 000 to help bail out the financially troubled National Council of Churches the Methodist news service reported In September the council s other major funder the Presbyterian Church (USA) provided a special $400 000 grant beyond regular dues Presbyterian News Service quoted the council treasurer as saying the ecumenical agency might have been forced to shut down without the Methodist money The Methodist grant is an advance against membership dues from 2001 to 2004 and will be deducted from future payments The Methodists will charge 7 percent interest but forgive the interest if the advance is repaid and the council achieves a balanced budget Council leaders have cut staff and expenses and say finances look more stable for (Above) Myma Hart from Ogden looks through a selection of clothing in the basement of the First Chnstian Church in Ogden at 23rd and Madison recently Every other week on Saturday at the First Chnstian Church People to People Mimstnes offers a free lunch some free clothing and shoes and some toiletnes to people who need the help (Below) Hart chats with John Donovan at a free lunch offered by People to People Hart lives in an apartment in downtown Ogden and says that the lunch and clothing really help out Donovan who is staying at the Ogden Rescue Mission was kicked out of his Ogden home this past summer LENDING A HAND: Ogden ministry lends a hand to the needy People to People offer clothes a meal a place to talk and more By CATHY McKTTRICK Standard Examiner staff - Don and King weren’t with helping from afar They wanted to speak with the hear their homeless stones and share the iove of the Lord with them What started five years ago as a burden on the hearts of one couple has grown into the flounshing “People to People" ministry which serves those in need in inner-cit- y Ogden The first and third Saturday of each month from noon to 2 p m at the First Chnstian Church at 705 23rd Street people m need can enjoy a hot meal pick up some needed clothing and toiletnes and get a Bible in Lnglish or Spanish What lingers well beyond the OGDEN one-on-o- We can all learn immediate assistance are the bits of loving conversation a shared senpture and sometimes a hug or gentle touch “People respond with such appreciation” Connie said “We share a meal Bibles care and friendship” People to People got its start at a picnic table in the Municipal Park at 25th and Washington Their first Saturday the Kings brought punch snacks travel-size- d toiletnes Bibles and an expectant attitude “We prayed and asked God to send us someone we could help” Connie said And sure enough one by one they started to show up “It’s the personal interaction that is so important to us” Connie said She recalls a wintery Saturday 7 inches of snow on the ground and the man who walked over m shorts a wmdbreaker and sandals without socks “We had an assortment of clothes laid out on the table a lot in Since the early days in the park the Kings have teamed up with Rev Steve Shinn of Ogden's First Christian Church and the meals and sharing have moved indoors The grassroots movement has grown into a nondenominational Christian effort with several churches helping out including the Assembly of God Church in Layton and the youth group at Washington Heights Baptist Church in Ogden “The food and clothing are just a vehicle to talk about the love of the Lord W e get to see the people we're helping” Shinn said Many Saturdays People to People serves up lunch to well 2001 Holiday services to be listed in paper Top of Utah congregations are invited to submit information about their holiday services for a listing to be printed in the Dec 16 edition of the Standard Examiner Please include date time place and deta is about the service Deadline is Dec 8 at 5 face-to-fa- See PEOPLE8A p m Send submissions to rel gion editor P O Box 12790 Ogden UT 84412 2790 or e mail Mr Roger’s neighborhood Rogers announced last week he would no longer be in our neighborhood tdeh morning Being 36 years of age and the mother of two small children I not only grew up on Mr Rogers but have also had the opportunity to revisit that beloVed character as a parent Mr Rogers has been a quiet polite advocate of children and their creative potential for some 30 years now As a colleague in Salt Lake the Rev Tom Goldsmith wrote: “When he said he Iked us he was sincere When he said we were speciaL he believed it What an incredible multicultural multiethnic diverse ministry this one slender man achieved w uh utter When I graduated from college the students voted to endow an honorary doctorate degree to Mr Rogers so he was even there in person when 1 walked across the stage in my black cap and gown I don't think I can take watching him change out of his cardigan sweater and sneakers back into his street shoes and Jacket that last time so much does his retirement feel like the passing of an era to me I for one find myself in mourning simplicity” Mr coats jeans gloves He asked if he could just have a pair of socks explaining they were all he needed Most of the people we meet will only take what they can use” Connie said Y ou won't find Mr Rogers action figures in Toys R Us oh no He refused to market his “Make Believe World” and so we can't buy King I nday or Queen Saturday pajamas or electric-powere- d Trolleys How refreshing The only item you'll find in the marketplace arc simple craft books written by Mr Rogers that tell how to recycle items in your home to i make artwork and encourage parents to spend time being creative with their children slundstandard Devotional set to her when the sermon (finally) ended only to find that she had tears running down her face She whispered “He said " exactly what I needed to hear for Sunday ' SALT LAKE CITY Said Mr Rogers years later “That was What many of us may not have known about Fred Rogers is that he is an ordained Presbyterian minister Once when he was in theological school he attended church with his wile and a fellow student The sermon was very long In his head I red was busy critiquing the minister and he couldn't wait to enjoy tearing it apart with his friend He turned a really seminal experience for me I was judging and she was needing and the Holy Spirit responded to need not judgment "We could all take that lesson into our hearts I like to think that unexpected Sunday lesson had something to do with the humble loving wav Mr Rogers led his life these past thirty years May we all learn something from his simple affirming wavs We II miss you Mr Rogers' I he R v Sarah I anmu rr o ihe pastor fur the Lmtanan I'niursalist Chun h net i - The annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional w 'I be held in the Conference Center on Sunday at 6 p m Memters of the First Presidency w il share Chnstmas messages along with performances by the Tabernacle Choir and the Orches'ra at TemD e Squa'e Stanaard Era'n ner s'a" and re sea ces feye on Reigion Web Forum - w |
