Two days ago I attended the Islamic Art Experience at the Richmond Public Library. This annual event continues to inspire and uplift. As an Anglican priest and a Chinese I hold deep reverence for the ways art and faith intersect across traditions. Islamic calligraphy, with its flowing elegance and spiritual depth, speaks to something universal: the human longing to express the sacred.

This year I received a calligraphic rendering of my name بيلا (Bill) in Arabic script. It was more than a gift; it was a gesture of welcome, a bridge between cultures. We should never be afraid to cross cultures. We are called to cherish and value each other’s heritage, stories, and artistic expressions. These encounters remind us that beauty is not bound by language or creed. It is shared, celebrated, and sacred.

I am grateful to the Richmond Public Library and the artists who continue to offer this space of wonder and connection. May we keep building bridges, honoring difference, and discovering the divine in one another’s traditions.