Dear friends,
I will be away this weekend, helping an old seminary friend celebrate his 40th birthday in the Bay Area. Rhonda and I are taking the opportunity to reconnect with a few of our dearest friends from our seminary time.
Karen Tiegs, an Episcopal priest, will preach and preside this Sunday in worship. Matthew Eagan, pastor at Calvary Lutheran, will be available to respond in case of pastoral emergencies.
I wish I could be there for the first Sunday in our series, Love Our Muslim Neighbors Without Limits. I am thankful to Chris Moore, who will be facilitating the first discussion after worship during our Faith Conversation hour this Sunday. I came across a
web site for a Christian ministry in Ireland that focuses on refugees and asylum seekers.
On this site, they explain what interfaith dialogue is all about and why it is important. Their words captured the spirit of why I believe it is crucial that we engage in this critical work here at ChristChurch and in our surrounding communities…
“Interfaith dialogue, is about people of different faiths coming to a mutual understanding and respect that allows them to live and cooperate with each other in spite of their differences. The term refers to cooperative and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions, (i.e. "faiths") at both the individual and institutional level. Each party remains true to their own beliefs while respecting the right of the other to practice their faith freely.
Interfaith dialogue is not just words or talk. It includes human interaction and relationships. It can take place between individuals and communities and on many levels.”
“Dialogue seeks to:
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Increase mutual understanding and good relations.
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Identify causes of tension in Christian Muslim relations.
These are often economic, social or political rather than religious.
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Build understanding and confidence to overcome or prevent tensions.
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Break down the barriers and stereotypes which lead to distrust, suspicion and bigotry.
Interfaith Dialogue is not:
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About talking away or brushing aside differences.
It does not aim at coming to a common belief.
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A way of converting the other. In dialogue each party remains true to their own faith.
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A space for arguing, attacking or disproving the beliefs of the other.
It is about increasing mutual understanding and trust.”
“Members of both faiths need to come to know each other personally. Local interfaith contact, cooperation and interaction, in short… dialogue, is of great importance as it makes a major contribution in helping to create an integrated and cohesive community at ease with diversity and secure in a sense of common purpose.”
So, we will begin with some basic learning about the faith and history of Islam, and give thoughtful attention to our questions and our concerns. After that, we will take the next step of reaching out to members of Bilal Masjid, so that together we might create opportunities for further conversation, greater trust and interaction and mutual understanding.
God’s peace,
Pastor David
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