Tree of Life to hold High Holiday services at Calvary Episcopal

From Pittsburgh-

The Calvary Episcopal Church, a paragon of good neighborliness, will serve as host to Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation for all of its 5780 High Holiday services. 

Calvary is located on Shady Avenue, less than a mile from the Tree of Life synagogue building, in the heart of Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood. On Saturday, Oct. 27, the church happened to be filled with parishioners attending its annual fundraiser to help the underserved. The news of the mass shooting targeting people down the street hit them hard, said the Rev. Jonathon Jensen, rector.  

“So, right afterward, the next day, I preached about the shooting and what that might mean, short-term and long-term, and how does a person of faith respond,” Jensen said. 

“In my experience, I have found that often what happens is people will say, ‘Is there anything we can do to help you?’ and it puts the burden on the person who’s hurt,” he said. “I’ve found it is much more helpful to make specific offers of things people might actually need, so the burden is on you to do it rather than the person who is hurting to think of something for you to do.”

More here-

https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/tree-of-life-to-hold-high-holiday-services-at-calvary-episcopal/?fbclid=IwAR2Y8-6Yfze55CC6NFs9ac-rOPLdtWicX1jj5HMV5ICkK9s--Lq1I_17lSA

Bishop of St Albans: My role is to speak up for other faiths as well as Christianity

From England-

I am sometimes asked why I use my role in the House of Lords to speak up for other faiths as well as Christianity.

In response, I usually describe the nature of the Established Church and explain that bishops are not just concerned with the interests of Anglicans, but seek to serve and care for all people and especially those whose voices are suppressed or marginalised, whether in England or elsewhere.

The Bench of Bishops in the House of Lords is the only group which can claim something akin to a ‘constituency’. Each one of us serves in a diocese and as such we are out and about on a daily basis. We have a presence on the ground in virtually every community; many of our churches run food banks, lunch clubs, toddler groups, have bereavement visitors and even debt advice centres.

More here-

https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/opinion/house-lords/105819/bishop-st-albans-my-role-speak-other-faiths-well

Episcopal cathedral hosts Muslim prayer gathering

From San Diego-

Hundreds are expected to join hands in prayer this week at a San Diego church in response to last Friday’s shooting massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Residents of all faith are invited to gather at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown San Diego to share a meal and stories of interfaith friendships.

Salaam, a local non-profit, is hosting the event along with the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.

Salaam unites San Diego’s interfaith leaders to reject Islamophobia and stand against all forms of hate and violence.

“I think it would be a great opportunity for both members of Muslim and Christian communities to come together in solidarity,” said Steve Slocum, founder of Salaam. “I’m expecting the event to have some powerful moments across faith boundaries.”

Salaam is a non-religious, non-partisan organization and has held a number of events in the last year designed to bring people of Muslim and non-Muslim faith together.

More here-

https://www.thecoastnews.com/episcopal-cathedral-hosts-muslim-prayer-gathering/

For Priest Turned Professor, 'Holy Envy' Is Key To Appreciating World Religions

From NPR-

From an early age, Barbara Brown Taylor knew that she wanted to live a spiritual life.

"It started early in my life," she says, "a hunger for the beyond, for the transcendent, for the light within the light, the glow within the grass, the sparkle within the water."

Taylor went on to become an ordained Episcopal priest, working as rector of a church. But she later left her job with the church and began teaching the world's religions at Piedmont College in Demorest, Ga.

As part of the course, Taylor invited members of different faiths into the classroom to share their beliefs. She also brought her students, who were mostly Christian, to mosques, synagogues and Buddhist and Hindu temples in an effort to help them better understand how various groups worship.

More here-

https://www.npr.org/2019/03/11/702175258/for-priest-turned-professor-holy-envy-is-key-to-appreciating-world-religions

Muslims touched by kindness of Episcopalians

From Newsday-

The Muslims needed a place to pray until the dental office that they had bought in Deer Park was renovated. 

No one, it seemed, wanted to rent to them, leaders of the group said. Then, after a year of searching for a temporary home, they found an Episcopal church not far from the dental office that was willing to let them use the basement once a week. The room was big and open, ideal for them to lay down their prayer rugs. 

What came to pass in 2013 was much more than a lease agreement between a tenant and a landlord. Over the past half-dozen years, a deep friendship has blossomed between the Islamic Center of Deer Park and St. Patrick’s Episocpal Church. 

“How they arrived at our rectory door, I don’t know, but I like to think it was the hand of God that brought us together,” the Rev. William Mahoney, who spearheaded the agreement, said in a 2017 video produced by the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. 

More here-

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/muslims-episcopalians-deer-park-friendship-1.27453654

Row over Muslim scholar's invitation to preach at Anglican service

From The Guardian-

An invitation to a distinguished Muslim scholar to preach at a eucharist service in an Oxford church on Sunday has triggered complaints from traditionalists.

Monawar Hussain, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours last year for services to interfaith relations and the community, will deliver a sermon at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, following a request from Oxford University’s vice-chancellor, Louise Richardson.

The move has been denounced by Archbishop Cranmer, a conservative Anglican blog authored by Adrian Hilton. He said he failed to understand how an imam delivering a sermon at a eucharist service would respect “a sacred act of divine worship which is supposed to be conducted according to the rites and formularies of the Church of England”.

More here-

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/20/row-over-muslim-scholars-invitation-to-preach-at-anglican-service

Saudi Crown Prince commits to interfaith tolerance, says Anglican church

From Reuters-

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met the head of the Anglican church in London on Thursday and promised to promote interfaith dialogue as part of his domestic reforms, the British faith leader’s office said.

Prince Mohammed is making an official visit to London to promote Saudi Arabia as a tolerant, modernizing economy and build a wider trade and investment relationship with Britain, a long-term defense ally.
On the second full day of his first foreign tour since becoming heir apparent to the Saudi throne last year, Prince Mohammed also had meetings with finance minister Philip Hammond, bankers and lawmakers, and was due to dine with Prime Minister Theresa May at her country residence later.

State oil giant Saudi Aramco, whose lucrative stock market listing Britain is vying with the United States to attract, signed a preliminary deal to pursue international gas opportunities with Royal Dutch Shell.

Prince Mohammed began the day with a symbolic visit to Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion of millions of Christians globally, at Lambeth Palace in central London.

More here-

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-saudi-archbishop/saudi-crown-prince-commits-to-interfaith-tolerance-says-anglican-church-idUSKCN1GK1V1

Also here-

http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-archbishop-saudi-leader-wants-different-faiths-to-flourish-2018-3

How Quebec City Muslims and Anglicans found friendship through faith and grief

From Canada-

Members of Quebec City's Muslim community will stand alongside those of the Huron-Wendat, Jewish, Catholic, Anglican and many other communities Sunday, as they honour the victims of last year's deadly attack on a mosque.

The interfaith ceremony, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Pavillion de Jeunesse at Expo Cité, will not be the first time different religious communities in the city will have come together since the shooting.

Bruce Myers, bishop of the Anglican diocese of Quebec and Boufeldja Benabdallah, co-founder of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City, spoke with Ainslie MacLellan on CBC Radio's All in a Weekend, about how their communities have built a friendship.

More here-

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-city-muslims-anglicans-faith-grief-1.4507155

and here-

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/interfaith-prayer-meeting

Archbishop Justin Welby’s message to all those celebrating Rosh Hoshanah

From Justin Welby-

It was an extraordinary experience to spend ten days in the Holy Land in May this year.

What helped to make the visit so unique was the willingness of [United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth] Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to provide his own personal guided tour of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. His breadth of historical understanding and knowledge was combined with his reflections of spending time living in the city himself. We finished with an act of prayer side-by-side at the Western Wall – an unforgettable moment.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/blogs/2017/09/archbishop-justin-welbys-message-to-all-those-celebrating-rosh-hoshanah.aspx

Cranston Episcopal church welcomes Jewish congregation into its home

From Rhode Island-

It could be considered a tale of three religions involving a Jewish congregation, the state’s only Hindu temple, and an Episcopal parish.

On Sunday, Congregation Or Chadash marked its move from the Hindu temple that once served as its home to its new home at Trinity Episcopal Church in Cranston with the ceremonial carrying of its three Torahs through Pawtuxet Village.

“This whole event is to celebrate a new life,” said Judith Bessoff. The congregation’s name itself — Or Chadash — stands for new light, she said.

The procession started in the parking lot of the former Bank Cafe, in the heart of the village on the Warwick side. Three congregation members carried hefty Torah scrolls, each containing five books central to Jewish teachings, under the cover of a sheer white chuppah. The group made its way across the Narragansett Parkway, over the Pawtuxet River Bridge and onto Broad Street up Cranston.

“When you move a Torah, you’re supposed to hold it close to keep it safe,” Bessoff explained.

Traffic halted to let the procession pass in the blazing heat. Onlookers shot photos as the parade of 30-plus members of Or Chadash and Trinity Episcopal marched through the village, as a light breeze blew under overcast skies. The group passed restaurants, ice cream shops and a liquor store as it made its way.

More here-

http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20170611/cranston-episcopal-church-welcomes-jewish-congregation-into-its-home

New Jewish congregation finds home in Episcopal church

From Rhode Island-

Gaspee Days is a good time for a fresh beginning.

Beth Veltri hadn’t thought of it that way, but the timing for a new Jewish congregation to move from its former temple in Warwick to Trinity Church in Pawtuxet coincides with the day for the closing of the celebration of the colonial defiance of British rule in 1772.

On Sunday, June 11 at 1 p.m. Veltri, who is president of the Or Chadash Congregation, and an estimated 30 members in addition to untold others from the Episcopal Church and the community will assemble near Pawtuxet Park. The park should be busy. There will be a colonial encampment with tents with local militia. There will be games for the kids and at 4 p.m. people will focus on the cove where a group will set fire to the Gaspee.

By then Or Chadash, New Light in Hebrew will be ensconced in Trinity Church. The congregation will occupy a classroom in the church that had formally housed day care. The congregation will have access to church facilities including the kitchen and meeting room.

More here-

http://cranstononline.com/stories/new-jewish-congregation-finds-home-in-episcopal-church,124821

Congregation celebrates groundbreaking of new mosque

From Texas-

Rev. Stephen Carson, of St. Francis Episcopal Church, said he was compelled to attend Saturday's ceremony not only by his faith but also by his humanity.

"There is a lot of ill will for the religion right now," he said. "I would like for them to at least see that not everyone feels that way."

The demonstrations of support by Carson and other Victoria residents was enormously encouraging for many mosque members, Ajrami said.

Ajrami said he is not passing judgment on the person who set the mosque on fire, but he did condemn the act as evil.

Although Victoria resident Marq Vincent Perez is not charged with a crime stemming from the arson, federal investigators have testified that he set the fire. A federal grand jury is currently investigating whether he had a role in the fire, according to court documents.

More here-

https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2017/may/27/congregation-celebrates-groundbreaking-of-new-mosq/

On Religion: A Muslim preacher in a Christian pulpit

From Atlanta-

Soumaya Khalifah’s sermon fell in the usual place in the Holy Week rite in which clergy from the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta renewed their vows: after a Gospel passage and before the consecration of bread and wine as Holy Communion.

In this Mass, the Liturgy of the Word also included a Quran reading, including: “God, there is no god but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting. Neither slumber overtakes Him nor sleep. Unto Him belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth. Who is there who may intercede with Him save by His leave?”

Khalifah asked leaders from the region’s 96 Episcopal parishes an obvious question: Was this a historic moment, with a Muslim woman preaching in a liturgy for an entire Christian diocese?

“I truly believe that interfaith works is the civil rights movement for the 21st century,” said Khalifah, head of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta. “Faith is used to divide us and we need to make intentional efforts to bring ourselves together. Normally we worship, associate and have friends from our own faith tradition, our own race. ...

More here-

http://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/faith/on-religion-a-muslim-preacher-in-a-christian-pulpit/article_80d47275-0ae2-5f50-8ea9-2c77628c9004.html

"We're glad you're our neighbor" signs in Arabic, Somali and other languages going up in Hampton Roads

From SW VA-

A group of faith leaders and community organizers are hoping to spread some neighborly compassion through colorful yard signs that will soon pop up around Hampton Roads.

The signs read "no matter where you are from, we're glad you're our neighbor" in six different languages: English, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, French and Somali.

The campaign started with the Immanuel Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, which made the signs in three languages. But leaders here took it one step further and adapted it to be more reflective of the Hampton Roads community.

"The idea is to lead to people having dialogues and build understanding," said Teresa Stanley of the Interspiritual Empowerment Project, who has helped with the signs. The nonprofit group works on social justice.

More here-

http://pilotonline.com/news/local/we-re-glad-you-re-our-neighbor-signs-in-arabic/article_a591e46c-61b9-55a5-91e4-20891af75f26.html

'Meet Your Muslim Neighbor' event breaks down barriers

From Alabama-

Dr. Abu-Alrub grew up in Huntsville as the granddaughter of a Methodist minister. She converted to Islam 27 years ago when she married a man with Palestinian roots. Her work as an oncology nurse -- helping people cope with cancer -- has taught her that people will accept differences in culture and religion when they have a common purpose.

Along with close friend Rev. Dr. Basye Holland-Shuey, Episcopal priest and spiritual director of the Church of the Nativity, Abu-Alrub works to combat Islamophobia, hate crimes, and school bullying. The two have gone to workshops around the country to see how other communities cope.

So it was natural that they helped plan the first annual "Meet Your Muslim Neighbor" event, an open house held at the Huntsville Islamic Center on Sparkman Drive. Dozens of members of the center wanted to host an event that would deal with misconceptions about Islam as well as show the public that Muslims are doctors, professors, students, ordinary people with jobs and families. 

More here-

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2017/04/meet_your_muslim_neighbor_even.html

A Charlotte church put up a sign about its Muslim neighbors. The neighbors spoke back

From Charlotte-

Kate Murphy was driving to work in East Charlotte not long ago when she saw a car that looked like it had some words painted on it. She pulled up for a closer look and saw that yes, they were words. But they were more than words. They were anti-Muslim slurs.

This was back in February, shortly after the Donald Trump administration had issued its first executive order banning people from seven Muslim countries from entering the United States. That order, you remember, was struck down in court and scorned by many. But plenty of people also thought it was exactly what the country should do.

“There was so much being said that troubled me,” said Murphy, who is pastor of The Grove Presbyterian Church.

Read more here:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/peter-st-onge/article144196939.html#storylink=cpy

Muslim woman to preach at Episcopal Service

From Atlanta-

A Muslim woman is to preach Tuesday during a service in which Episcopal priests and deacons will reaffirm the vows first taken at their ordinations.

Soumaya Khalifah, executive director and founder of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta was chosen to preach by Atlanta’s Episcopal Bishop Robert C. Wright. Wright said he chose Khalifah because of her ongoing efforts to bridge the gaps between religions.

“Soumaya provides a wonderful example for how to share the love of God; the same God worshiped by all the world’s Christians, Jews and Muslims,” Wright said. “It is an example that has never been more needed.”

The renewal of vows service will be held Tuesday, April 11, at St.

David’s Episcopal Church in Roswell beginning at 11 a.m. The service is open to the public.

More here-

https://atlantadailyworld.com/2017/04/10/muslim-woman-to-preach-at-episcopal-service/

Three men of faith converse: a Christian, a Jew and a Muslim

From Massachusetts-

Dr. Mohamad Chatila, Rabbi Peter Levy and the Rev. Ray Bonin follow three different religions, with sharply differing views of how their God has expressed himself over the ages.

Yet they are friends. Chatila, a cardiologist; Levy, the leader of Etz Hayim Synagogue; and Bonin, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, recently had a conversation about their religious beliefs, with this reporter listening.

It was one lively chat, punctuated by frequent comments such as "wait a minute" and "let me finish, please." Yet they began as friends and parted as friends.

All three agreed they believe in one God. They also look upon Abraham as the founding father of their faiths – hence the description of Islam, Judaism and Christianity as the three "Abrahamic" religions.

More here-

http://www.eagletribune.com/news/three-men-of-faith-converse-a-christian-a-jew-and/article_3d8954fc-a89a-5ea8-8ee1-50ec79fe3217.html

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali Condemns Koran Reading At Anglican Cathedral Epiphany Service

From Christian Today-

Christians are familiar with the Bible texts that detail the conception and birth of Jesus to His mother, the Virgin Mary.

But they are not so used to hearing the Muslim version of the story read out in church. And especially not on Epiphany, which celebrates the incarnation of God as His son Jesus - a doctrine denied by Muslims.

Michael Nazir-Ali, a leading evangelical Christian in Britain, has now condemned the reading on a service at the Scottish Episcopal Church's Glasgow Cathedral last Friday.

The congregation at St Mary's cathedral heard the Muslim version of the Virgin Mary's conception of Jesus, from the Koran's Sura 19, sung by Madinah Javed. The passage explains how Mary gave birth after an angel told her God would give her a child.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bishop.michael.nazir.ali.condemns.koran.reading.at.anglican.cathedral.epiphany.service/103716.htm

36 religious communities show solidarity for the Islamic Society of Vermont

From Vermont-

It's not every day more than 200 people from 36 different faith-based communities come together to support one religion.

“We are so honored to have you here today, and we are so honored to have this atmosphere of love and support,” said Imam Islam Hassan from the Islamic Society of Vermont.


A hate letter written to the Islamic Society of Vermont prompted religious leaders across the state to come together.

“The members of the congregation of Vermont Interfaith Action strongly condemn this hateful action, we find the sentiment expressed in this letter, completely unacceptable,” said the Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, from the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepard.

More here-

http://www.mynbc5.com/article/36-religious-communities-show-solidarity-for-the-islamic-society-of-vermont/8509338