| |
Welcome!
The Interfaith Relations Office seeks to support those in
the church who are interested in, concerned about or engaged in building interfaith
relationships. As Presbyterians learn about religious diversity, we reflect
theologically on our relations with neighbors of other faiths. We also seek avenues
for cooperation, or look for education resources and practical models for bringing
communities together. We hope you will find helpful information and resources
on this Web site.
Interfaith team schedule coming together
February 13 – March 8, 2009
The schedule is beginning to take shape for the visits of the Rev. Dr. Maqsood Kamil (far left), executive secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, and Mr. Khuram Dastgir Khan, elected member of Pakistan’s National Parliament from the Muslim League Party. The team will visit churches and colleges, men’s and women’s groups, and ecumenical and interfaith gatherings in six hosting presbyteries. The outline of the schedule is now clear. We will list particular events, with details, as plans are made firm. For more information about the program, see the Interfaith Listening Program Web site or contact Jay T. Rock in the Office of Interfaith Relations.
Setting the table for relations with people of other faiths
Join us at the meeting of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators, January 28–31, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas. One workshop, led by Interfaith Relations coordinator Jay Rock and Debby Vial, associate for Peacemaking partnerships, will focus on resources for building relationships with neighbors of diverse faiths. We will explore hospitality, motivations, preparation and models for interfaith work (including models for use with children) and introduce participants to the Interfaith Tool Kit, a new resource which will be available in December.
Taking heart in a changing religious landscape
Taking Heart gathering. Photo by Gail Anderson Gail Anderson, Unity and Relationships Organizer of the Minnesota Council of Churches shares a model of Christian-Muslim relations in the Twin Cities that is helping people explore cooperation and build understanding. Read her article.
Presbyterians and other U.S. communions respond to 'A Common Word'
On September 24, the member churches of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA approved an ecumenical response to the Muslim invitation "A Common Word," which has stimulated an international process of dialogue and engagement between Christians and Muslims. The ecumenical response encourages Christians to engage with Muslims in conversation and work rooted in love of God and love of neighbor and provides a theological framework for such engagement. For more information about "A Common Word" and the many responses to it, refer to the helpful resources on the Web site of the Presbyterian Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Network.
Other resources of note
|
|
| |
Why get involved with people of other faiths?
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has offered guidance about relations with
neighbors who are Muslims, Jews, Hindus or followers of other faiths, in a variety
of documents, and from a number of persepctives. We have assembled
most of these policy and study resources here in an introduction
to the thinking of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on interfaith relations and
related issues. |
|
may
help in responding to new instances of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim bias.
