Rev.
Judy Blonski
Upon reflection, it seems I have always been interested in the
spiritual part of life, spending a lot of time in various churches
as a girl and later throughout college. Raised Christian, I discovered
Judaism and converted in my early 20’s, becoming active in synagogue
life. By my mid-30’s, however, I felt drawn to learn more about
the historical Jesus, so also began attending Unity church. Several
years later I felt a “call to ministry” and began seminary at
the Claremont School of Theology in CA. Although a wonderful
experience, I wanted to find a way to bring Judaism back into
my life. Good friends alerted me to New Seminary and Rabbi Joseph
Gelberman in New York. He told me of the two interfaith seminaries
in CA and I chose Golden Gate Interfaith Seminary in Berkeley.
Two years later I was graduated and ordained by The Interfaith
Circle in 1998. California became my permanent home.
Soon I began holding interfaith worship in the name of ALL FAITHS
CELEBRATION. After a year I felt I could better serve as an interfaith
minister by reaching out into the community more. At the request
of the Orange Co. Human Relations Commission, I organized and
facilitated its first faith-based Living Room Dialogue group
that the Commission had designed to help deter the gang violence
in some Orange Co. neighborhoods. The dialogue was successful,
running three years. I then moved to San Diego County and created
ALL FAITHS DIALOGUE based on the model of the one I had just
left. I wanted to bring people of diverse faith backgrounds together
to talk in a non-judgmental, safe atmosphere where I could both
guide them and participate in the discussions. I have found that,
in such a sacred environment, people enjoy talking about their
everyday lives and how their personal faiths and spiritual journeys
inform those. I have witnessed how such open sharing can lead
to increased awareness and a deeper understanding within a diverse
group of people. At the very least, newfound respect and, optimally,
lifelong friendships usually result for many.
With each move, I enjoy searching out and attending worship
and events at diverse intercultural/interfaith centers and meeting
the spiritual leaders. I am usually invited back after they understand
that I am an interfaith minister. Then, if there is interest
and we are comfortable with each other, I ask if I can call them
or someone they recommend should there be an opportunity for
them to speak on their faith tradition during some interfaith
event I am organizing. This has been the beginning of many new
friendships for me. Another part of my ministry has been actively
engaging in local interfaith-based groups, which has proven mutually
beneficial. Also, because I enjoyed doing so, for several years
I wrote a monthly online interfaith newsletter, which included
Dialogue meeting information, a little message, and dates and
mini-explanations of important faith-based observances and events
for the month. That has been downsized to a little quarterly
interfaith-based letter sent online and in the mail. Throughout
the years I have met several other ministers with an “interfaith
bent.” Some have asked me to “sub” for them at worship from time
to time or included me during their worship, which I really enjoy
doing. Now, in 2012 and newly transplanted to Illinois, I am
already being asked to speak on the subject of “Exactly what
is an interfaith minister?” With such interest, I hope to soon
create and facilitate another ALL FAITHS DIALOGUE group, something
I look forward to with great joy and anticipation.
As my ministry is now sixteen years strong and there is still
much to share,
please feel free to contact me at revofpeace@aol.com. Namaste’
and Peace. Judy |