A couple of funny things happened this week...
First, I went to the Toledo Masjid of Al Islam Islamic Center on Wednesday night when I was invited to an iftar, or fast-breaking, for Ramadan (the Muslim holy month that ends today, by the way).
This is a very small mosque in the central city with about 50 members, but only a dozen who regularly attend services. I have met the spiritual leader a number of times, Imam Ibrahim, but have never been inside the building.
So I walk in and see a film crew with lights and boom mikes and all the heavy gear of a network team. Yes, it's CBS News' religion unit, with producer Ted Holmes, filming for a half-hour broadcast about Toledo's Muslim community. Ted said the idea was to spotlight a group of Muslims in middle America who are integrated into the community and live normal lives. The show, to be broadcast in December, will seek to show Americans that Muslims are normal citizens and not "all terrorists" as too many people believe.
Who would have expected CBS News at this obscure little mosque in Toledo? The religion beat never ceases to amaze me.
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Second, I went to Third Baptist Church yesterday to interview the new minister of music, the Rev. Glenn L. Jones, a charismatic guy from L.A. who was hired to modernize the church's worship music. He's bringing in drums, bass, Hammond organ and more to a 139-year-old church that previously had only used piano and pipe organ.
The funny thing is we were sitting in Third Baptist's beautiful sanctuary for the interview and afterward Rev. Jones was asking me if I sing, and I told him I used to be in a choir. He sat at the piano and started playing some old hymns, very beautifully, and told me that this was my part to sing.. and so I started singing as he played. We did a duet on "How Great Thou Art." I've never sung a hymn after interviewing someone! I kind of wish I had it on video so I could put it on this blog. You'd have been amazed -- I sure was!
Reverend Jones is a very charming and obviously persuasive minister. I have a feeling Third Baptist will really grow under his leadership.
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One more thing: This Is Tribe Time! The Indians open their series against the Boston Red Sox tonight in Fenway. Let's go Tribe!

Toledo, Ohio
Oct. 12, 2007