Scott Lewis

Color: God & Globalization

This project explores sacred and secular rituals, acts of faith and daily life in the world's most diverse religious community, Flushing, NY

At a time when our global culture is stressed from all angles on a myriad of conflicting values and beliefs, this project examines common themes among faith believers — fellowship, spirituality, ritual, celebration, identity. No matter what most mainstream faiths preach or the doctrines they ascribe to, most people come to their faith communities seeking similar core values.

A Muslim woman passes St. George's Episcopal Church on Main Street in downtown Flushing, NY. The church was endowed with a charter by England's King George in 1761 and continues to use that endowment for day to day operations.
   
Falun Gong followers practice their faith on a Saturday morning at Kissena Corridor Park in Flushing. Philadelphia Photojournalist Philadelphia Photographer
  
Rabbi Albert Thaler dresses as a nun to celebrate and lead Purim services and celebrations at the Temple Gates of Prayer Synagogue. Thaler is known for finding different outrageous costumes each year for the holiday. Philadelphia Photojournalist Philadelphia Photographer
     
  
Billy Graham's Last Crusade in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The Evangelist leader brought his public career to a close in the same place that launched his career to a national audience in 1957.
   
Members of the Chinese and Korean communities join together to parade through the streets of Flushing as part of the annual Lunar New Year celebrations. Philadelphia Photojournalist Philadelphia Photographer
   
Two boys study during a class focused on memorizing the Qu'ran at the Muslim Center of New York.
     
  
Susan Pfeiffer prays during a service at the Immanuel Community Church. Philadelphia Photojournalist Philadelphia Photographer
   
Jeff Guyton leads his daughter Roxane Guyton von Eck, 7, during a lesson in their First Day School at the Friends Meeting House in Flushing. Philadelphia Photojournalist, Philadelphia Photographer
  
Philadelphia Photojournalist, Philadelphia Photographer Philadelphia Photojournalist, Philadelphia Photographer
     
  
A Korean street evangelist passes out literature for her church in Flushing. The streets of Flushing are an active place for evangelists of a variety of faiths and ethnic and national backgrounds. Philadelphia Photojournalist, Philadelphia Photographer
  
Members of the Macedonia AME Church choir do a quick rehearsal before their weekly Sunday service. The church has been active in Flushing since the days of slavery and served as part of the Underground Railroad. Philadelphia Photojournalist, Philadelphia Photographer
  
Representations of the two Sai Babas are displayed at the Sai Baba Temple in Flushing. Sai Baba is a sect of Hinduism that believes that God is present on Earth for three separate lifetimes as human men. The second Sai Baba, on the right, lives in India and has a large following. It is believed that the third Sai Baba has been born and the prophecy says that he will bring peace on Earth. Philadelphia Photojournalist, Philadelphia Photographer
     
  
Joan Zhou demonstrates Tai-Chi for members of the community at St. George's Episcopal Church as a way to draw interest in the church and the variety of offerings it has for the community. Zhou was brought in by the church to assess interest in non-religious activities for church members and members of the community.
   
Children celebrate Vanessa Bray's birthday at the Iglesia Evangelica Presberiana after Sunday services. Seventeen Latin American countries are represented in the congregation.
   
Two brothers mourn their mother at the end of her traditional Buddhist funeral. As part of a Buddhist tradition of honoring those who live to 100, her picture is paraded along with her coffin outside of the funeral home. Philadelphia Photojournalist, Philadelphia Photographer
     
  
Members of St. Michael's Catholic Church parade with crosses during their annual Stations of the Cross procession as part of their annual Easter celebration.