The following letter was sent out on Friday, Oct. 9, to clergy ministering in churches and other specialized settings:
Colleagues:
This morning I learned from our General Minister and President John Dorhauer that this weekend, a small movement of self-described “patriots” is organizing a Global Rally for Humanity involving protests outside approximately 20 mosques across the country. (See links below for more information and read John Dorhauer's letter here.)
If you serve a church or serve as a chaplain located near a Mosque and you have an ongoing relationship with the Mosque and/or the Imam, I would urge you to call and voice your solidarity and support. If you have a relationship with an Imam through a Clergy Association or an Interfaith group, I would encourage you to reach out and express your support.
And I hope that all of us will lift up our Muslim siblings in both our private and public prayers in the days ahead.
Jim Antal, Minister and President
Mass Conference UCC
Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister
Mass Conference UCC
Marisa Brown-Ludwig, Chair
Mass Conference Ecumenical-Interfaith Task Force
More information:
U.S. group issues warning over planned armed anti-Islam rallies, CBS News, Oct. 4, 2015
America's Crisis of Interfaith, Huffington Post, Oct. 5, 2015
On Actions of Hostility Against Islam and the Muslim Community, 2011 General Synod resolution
The Relationship Between the United Church of Christ and the Muslim Community, 1989 General Synod vote
What is Islam? A basic introduction prepared by the Middle East and Europe Office of Common Global Ministries
Colleagues:
This morning I learned from our General Minister and President John Dorhauer that this weekend, a small movement of self-described “patriots” is organizing a Global Rally for Humanity involving protests outside approximately 20 mosques across the country. (See links below for more information and read John Dorhauer's letter here.)
If you serve a church or serve as a chaplain located near a Mosque and you have an ongoing relationship with the Mosque and/or the Imam, I would urge you to call and voice your solidarity and support. If you have a relationship with an Imam through a Clergy Association or an Interfaith group, I would encourage you to reach out and express your support.
And I hope that all of us will lift up our Muslim siblings in both our private and public prayers in the days ahead.
Jim Antal, Minister and President
Mass Conference UCC
Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister
Mass Conference UCC
Marisa Brown-Ludwig, Chair
Mass Conference Ecumenical-Interfaith Task Force
More information:U.S. group issues warning over planned armed anti-Islam rallies, CBS News, Oct. 4, 2015
America's Crisis of Interfaith, Huffington Post, Oct. 5, 2015
On Actions of Hostility Against Islam and the Muslim Community, 2011 General Synod resolution
The Relationship Between the United Church of Christ and the Muslim Community, 1989 General Synod vote
What is Islam? A basic introduction prepared by the Middle East and Europe Office of Common Global Ministries