Please join the Interfaith Center in celebrating the jewel that is you, and the beautiful interconnection of all beings!
The jewels show the connections and community among Interfaith members, friends, and beyond. Anyone who has a connection to the Interfaith Center may choose a jewel.
There are also thoughts and quotes from Interfaith Center members below.
The idea comes from the concept of Indra’s Jewel Net, which is:“a much-loved metaphor of Mahayana Buddhism. It illustrates the interpenetration, inter-causality, and interbeing of all things.
“Here is the metaphor: In the realm of the god Indra is a vast net that stretches infinitely in all directions. In each “eye” of the net is a single brilliant, perfect jewel. Each jewel also reflects every other jewel, infinite in number, and each of the reflected images of the jewels bears the image of all the other jewels — infinity to infinity. Whatever affects one jewel effects them all.”
In this brief video, Janet Somalinog explains the Indra’s Net Jewels project at the Interfaith Center.
We have also chosen jewels for the members of our community who have crossed the rainbow bridge into the spirit world, so we can honor their memories and the love we shared with them.
Pick a Jewel to Represent You
Please look at the pictures below, pick the jewels that speak to your spirit – your favorite, plus one or two alternates – and note their numbers. Then FILL OUT THIS FORM. Your jewel will be placed on Indra’s Jewel Net in our sanctuary.
We hope you’ll also share a brief bio or story/poem/song that can help us connect to you as a shining member of our Interfaith community!
Click on the individual jewels to see them in a larger format.
This project is the heart-child of Laurie Knerr, with help from many others – thank you all!
Voices of Interfaithers
Delyth Balmer
This community has been my “family” since it was first created and has helped me and supported me through many major life events. I am eternally grateful.
Cayla Tchalo
“The Stars One Night* a poem by C. D. Tchalo © 2010 & 2022
I looked up and saw The Stars one night.
Or was it that THEY saw ME?
For that was the night that The Earth stood still
and I learned to simply be.
Everything and I had become as One
Separation’s Illusion was gone.
Life as I had known it was done.
I welcomed a brand new Dawn.
Now when The Stars twinkle down at me,
I sparkle back up at them.
I always knew that they were jewels.
Now I know I am a gem.
*Reprinted or otherwise used ONLY with expressed permission of the poet.”
Laurie Knerr
I am a Lighthouse spark within Divine Nature. Through compassion, dedication, vibrational energy and healing, hope and service, I shine my jewel Spirit Light. I know that by interconnecting with every other Light that our energetic Hearts and Souls work in unison to raise the cosmos collective consciousness. Together, we create an “All is Well” universe for every living being and nonliving entity. We are determined to work as One towards creating Blessings, Freedom, Joy, Peace and Love for ALL.
Janet Somalinog
This jewel represents the birthstone colors of my daughter, myself, my mother and my grandmother, homage to our feminine lineage and the generational healing that we have undergone.
Lyriel Claire
7 is my preferred number and highly spiritual which is the focus of my life.
Patricia Ramsay
The Interfaith Center has resonated with my heart and soul from the first day of hearing Dave Bell speak. The message of remembering that I am Divinity expressing in the world and using the power of that Love and Light to heal so many things in my life has been my strength and my anchor.
Bob Hopkins
The Center has been the prime source of my own personal spiritual growth and evolution since its inception. I have learned to meld loving all of creation, dance-movement, and heartfelt engagement in overcoming temper and impatience to honor a commitment to love all people all of time. As I have grown to accept full responsibility for the thoughts and energy I put out into the universe, Interfaith Center will continue to be my guide and inspiration.
Sally Searls
My Hand in God’s
Each morning when I wake I say,
“I place my hand in God’s today;”
I know He’ll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair—
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His! No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by his love, and comforted.
When at day’s end I seek my rest
And realize how much I’m blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in His again.
By Florence Scripps Kellogg
Alaura Massasro
Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.~~ Rainer Maria Rilke
Jennifer lenders
“Out beyond ideas of wrong doing ,and right doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies in that grass, the world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase ‘each other’ doesn’t make sense. “ quote from Rumi
Marilyn Alf
There is no answer; seek it lovingly.
Todd Alf
The Road Not Taken – Robert Frost
Paulette Stenzel
I offer a reference to a book with many stories. My favorite book is Cien Años de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude) by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I read it for the first time as an 18-year old studying in Bogota Colombia. I have reread it many times, the most recent time being a year ago. It reminded me of how much in that book reflects my values and experiences since my first readings. Here are some of the themes: speaking Spanish as a way to understand and communicate with others; living, learning, and working in Latin American countries (including but not limited to) Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua,; learning from indigenous people of our Western Hemisphere, especially their spirituality and deep connection to the earth (Pachamama); seeking ways to mitigate the abuses enabled by capitalism; and pursuit of social, environmental, and economic equity. All of this is related to my belief that service is a major way to express my spirituality. That’s my outline of some of my interests, using someone else’s book (with MANY stories within it) as a platform I enjoy conversations about common interests with others. Let’s talk!
Judy Bell
Founding member
Judith Lynch-Sauer
“Understanding is the ground of love.” Thich Nhat Hanh
Sue Booker
MAY YOU HAVE JOY ! ! !
Don Digirolamo
Seek and you shall find are the most powerful words of all!
Jean Balent
Cloudbusting song by Kate Bush:
Ooh, I just know something good is gonna happen
I don’t know when
But just saying it could even make it happen!
Brett Koon
I am a lover of God! But some may not call it God, I really just love resting as the silent and empty being that I am, where love, peace, and joy reside.
Susie Vestevich
A poem from Arbutus:
I never came to you my friend, and never went away, without some new excitement of the heart, more faith; less doubt.
More courage for the days ahead, and often in great need, coming to you I went away, comforted indeed.
There are no words, no phrase for you on whom I so depend, all I can say to you is this, God bless you precious friend.
Melissa Wren
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”, Isaiah 6:8, The skill of yoga is demonstrated
by the conscious non-operation of the vibrational modes
of the mento-emotional energy. Yoga Sutras, Verse 2 (Patanjali), God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him., 1 John 4:16
Maureen McMahon
A poem I memorized as a child:
I heard a bird sing in the dark of December.
A beautiful thing, and so sweet to remember.
We’re closer to Spring than we were in September.
I heard a bird sing in the dark of December.
Jean Wilson
I have arrived, I am home, in the here, in the now. I am solid, I am free. In the Ultimate I dwell.
Lorri Coburn
Being with Interfaith Center from its inception, it’s been a marvelous journey to watch all the lives it has touched. Thank you, Dave and Judy Bell, Annie, Delyth, Cathy, and everyone else who has contributed so lovingly.
Rod Rodriguez
Rod Rodriguez was one of the primary builders of the Interfaith Center facility, generously lending his electrical expertise and extensive building skills. Rod was known as the best hugger, always emotionally available. For awhile, there were signs that said, “Relax! God is handling this.” The “G” was crossed out and and “R” was substituted. You can’t think of Interfaith Center without thinking of Rod Rodriguez.
Andrea Shaw
Thank you, Interfaith. You gave me a safe place to land.