Reverend Karen Lindquist, Co-Founder and Co-Minister of ICS Remembered
Reverend Karen Lindquist, Co-Founder and Co-Minister of Interfaith Community Sanctuary, has been a central pillar and guiding light for our community ever since the inception of Interfaith Community Sanctuary in 1998. Reverend Karen passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 4, 2024. ICS was her all-consuming love, passion, and life’s work. Her absence leaves an immense void in our hearts and in the work of our community. She was a unique visionary, and a dedicated servant of service. She worked tirelessly every day to ensure the smooth administration of the Sanctuary programs, aligning them with our vision of Interfaith understanding, cooperation and collaboration locally, nationally, and internationally. She repeatedly emphasized the critical need for each of us to stay connected with our Divine purpose through spiritual practices, careful study, and self-introspection. This work leads us all to be of authentic selfless service in the community and the world.
Karen was a visionary from the depths. Over the years she co-created interfaith services throughout the year at the Sanctuary and with other interfaith organizations in the greater Seattle area. So also served for many years as a board member on The Interfaith Council of Washington and the Interfaith Network, now known as Northwest Interfaith. She brought her inner divine spirit to all of us through her deeply reflective sermons. In addition, she was the historian of ICS. She remembered past members, how we arrived at certain points in our decision-making, and kept us from repeating the same mistakes that were made in the past.
Reverend Karen began, continued, and often collaborated with other wonderful women from the community in presenting Divine Feminine services, diving deeply into the various aspects of the feminine wisdom and archetypes in all of us. Through that exploration Karen was always so creative, open to the ideas and contributions of all, and totally committed to do whatever it took to help the community get in touch with their own sacred feminine qualities.
The spring bulbs are eager, impatient even, to burst forth in renewed hope. “It’s too early,” we say. “There is grieving to do and silence to hold!” We can almost hear them laugh, reminding us how much she warmed the soil, planted the seeds, prepared us all for blessings seen and unseen to arrive. Our only consolation is that Karen is now soaring with the angels, blessing and guiding us from those Mysterious Realms.
The ICS Guiding Council has set up the Karen Lindquist Memorial Fund in Honor of Reverend Karen and her long and dedicated service to Interfaith Community Sanctuary. If you wish to donate to this fund, please go to the Donation page of our website: ICS Website/Donate. There you can designate your donation to the Karen Lindquist Memorial Fund. Checks may also be mailed to Interfaith Community Sanctuary at 1763 NW 62 nd Street, Seattle, WA 98107. Please designate “Karen Lindquist Fund” in the memo section of your check. All memorial funds will be used to honor Reverend Karen’s legacy, and for the beautification and enhancement our historic building and programs in ways she would have wished.
Imam Jamal Rahman
Imam Jamal Rahman is a popular speaker and author on Islam, Sufi spirituality, and interfaith relations. Along with his Interfaith Amigos, he has been featured in The New York Times, CBS News, BBC, and various NPR programs. Jamal is co-founder and Muslim Sufi Imam at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. He travels nationally and internationally, presenting at retreats and workshops. Jamal’s passion lies in interfaith community building and activism. Website: www.jamalrahman.com
Sally Jo Gilbert de Vargas
Sally Jo Gilbert de Vargas has recently retired from being a public school teacher and administrator for 40 years. She is an Associate Minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, and a Cherag (Persian word for lamp, or minister) in the Sufi Order International. She has served on the Guiding Council of Interfaith Community Sanctuary for 14 years in various capacities, including president, secretary and is currently treasurer. Sally Jo has been a volunteer, supporter, and member of the Board of Directors of Project Ethiopia since 2005. She is also on the Board of the Suraiya Ataur Medical Clinic in the village of Chondipur, Bangladesh, another service project of Interfaith Community Sanctuary. Sally Jo is currently active with various organizations working for climate justice, racial justice, and voting rights.
Michael Bodhi Douglas
Michael Bodhi Douglas is an initiated teacher and musician in the Mevlevi Sufi tradition. As a Cherag of the Universal Worship in the Inayati Sufi Order, he leads interfaith worship, guides spiritual practice, and teaches world religions. He is an Associate Minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, an icon painter, and a graphic artist. He also works with the Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization dedicated to friendship, love, and truth.
