May 2008 Newsletter

Executive Director's Updates

A Note From Interim Director Hillman
Our Leaders Meet
Recapping the Pope's Visit
Abyssinian Baptist Church Celebrates Bicentennial
RFP-USA Board Member Honored
The Tibetan Karmapa in the US
RFP-USA Members Respond to China and Myanmar Crises

We Are All Connected
- Open Letter - Let Sanity Prevail In Zimbabwe
An Introduction to

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Off the Shelf
- Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West
- The Faith Club
- The Life of Meaning
Food for Thought: Edwin Starr
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) ELCA Logo

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a prominant Lutheran Protestant denomination that is based out of Chicago, Illinois. Its baptized members constitute close to two-thirds of all Lutherans in the United States with 4.77 million congregants. The Church was formed in 1988 as a merger of the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. As a fairly liberal denomination, the Church does not prefer literalist interpretations of the Bible, and encourages difference of interpretation or opinion as a healthy alternative to imposed dogma. Noththeless, the church is conservative in its practices, finding a traditional basis in Martin Luther's catechism, which retains elements of Roman Catholicism. The current Presiding Bishop is Mark Hanson, who was re-elected for his second six-year term last year, and serves on RFP-USA's Council of Presidents.

Pursuing Just Peace: An Overview and Case Studies for Faith-Based Peacebuilders
As a practical resource for faith and secular community leaders, Pursuing Just Peace addresses the needs of peace-oriented organizations and anyone who opposes injustice or senseless conflict. Seven of the case studies covered follow a diverse group of organizations as they approach the peace building process. Another three studies cover congregations that struggle to learn effective methods of fostering peace. There are still more studies which address gender-based violence and inter-religious collaboration. Pursuing Just Peace educates readers as to effective methods of teaching and spreading peace advocacy, especially in the context of religion. It is published by the Catholic Relief Service, a non-profit that is dedicated to humanitarian efforts worldwide.

Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today
In Encountering the Mystery, Patriarch Bartholomew introduces the teachings of Eastern Orthodoxy and their practical applications. Bartholomew delves into the mystical understanding of Christian Orthodoxy how it can relate to environmental efforts, social justice, and developing interfaith dialogue between the three Abrahamic faiths. The Patriarch is deeply concerned with the future state of the planet, and outlines how to practice Orthodoxy as a means to improve the world for future generations.

Muslims, Christians, and the Challenge of Interfaith Dialogue
Post 9/11 America reawakened the national interest in religious difference. However, what real improvements have been made in the general public's knowledge of Islam? What about Islam's view of itself in relation to other religions? Muslim, Christians, and the Challenge of Interfaith Dialogue tells of the current state of the interfaith dialogue and its movement onto youth initiatives and cooperative social efforts. Readers follow just how far Christianity and Islam have come together in the past few years in understanding each other, and their efforts to maintain peaceful, meaningful dialogue.

"Peace, love and understanding, tell me, is there a place for them today? They say we must fight to keep our freedom, but Lord knows there's got to be a better way."
-Edwin Star, lyrics to "War"

Archives
Visit RFPUSA.org to view previous e-newsletters.

Donate
If you would like to support the work of RFP-USA, please click here. Or use the button below:




Religions for Peace - USA May 2008 E-Newsletter Having difficulty viewing this email? Please click Here. In This Issue: Executive Director's Updates A Note From Interim Director Hillman Our Leaders Meet Recapping the Pope's Visit Abyssinian Baptist Church Celebrates Bicentennial RFP-USA Board Member Honored The Tibetan Karmapa in the US RFP-USA Members Respond to China and Myanmar Crises We Are All Connected Open Letter - Let Sanity Prevail In Zimbabwe An Introduction to The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Off the Shelf Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West The Faith Club The Life of Meaning Food for Thought: Edwin Starr Donate to Religions for Peace - USA Subscribe/Unsubscribe


From Our Executive Director… A Note From Interim Director Hillman Religions for Peace – USA is looking forward to an exciting new year of programming. This year we will host the New York 9/11 Unity Walk, continue the development of the Interfaith Directory, review and revise the Interfaith Academies, and launch a new lecture series in partnership with the McCauley Honors College of the City University of New York. Look for a new and improved website as well as new online educational resources in the near future! We are happy to provide these programs for you, and we hope that you continue to let us know what resources you want to see from us. To continue this work, we encourage you to donate to Religions for Peace – USA and help us grow as an organization. Donate to us Online, or send contributions by mail Our Leaders Meet The Executive Council of Religions for Peace – USA met on Thursday, May 15th for its first meeting of 2008. The meeting was graciously hosted by the US Fund for UNICEF in their new offices in New York City. The Executive Council was updated on the strategic planning discussions the Steering Committee has been engaging in since the beginning of the year. Those present discussed the need for continued strategic planning in the face of the latest change in executive leadership as well as the current financial situation of the organization. The Executive Council pledged to head further fundraising efforts for Religions for Peace – USA and charged Interim Director of Operations Anne Hillman with assisting the board in developing a strategic plan for the organization by the end of the summer. The board set the goal of hiring a new Executive Director for the year 2009. Recapping the Pope's Visit During last month's visit to the US, Pope Benedict XVI met with representatives from RFP-USA. From the RFP-USA Council of Presidents came Mrs. Judith Hertz, a World Council member of Religions for Peace, Dr. Khurshid Khan of the Islamic Circle of North America, Mr. Dilip Shah, and Imam W. D. Mohammed of The Mosque Cares. Members of the Executive Council who attended include Mr. Arvind Vora of Federation of Jain Associations in North America, Dr. Eboo Patel of the Interfaith Youth Core, Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed of The Islamic Society of North America, Mr. Anuttama Dasa of ISKCON, and the Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, the director of inter-religious development for Religions for Peace International. Gifts of goodwill were presented to the pontiff, including a menorah (Judaism), a copy of the Qur'an (Islam), a metallic cube representative of non-violence (Jainism), an incense burner (Hinduism), and a bronze bell (Buddhism). Abyssinian Baptist Church Celebrates Bicentennial This year, the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York City, will be celebrating its 200th year. The Church will celebrate with the publication of a book about their history, the sponsorship of artwork, lectures, and musical performances, and host white and black-tie galas. A pilgrimage to Ethiopia, the African nation that is tied to the congregation's heritage, took place last fall in early recognition of this occasion. Reverend Butts, a member of RFP-USA's Council of Presidents, will preside over celebratory events that will conclude on the actual date of the Church's anniversary this November. To find out more, visit the Church's Abyssinian 200 mini site. RFP-USA Board Member Honored The executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement, Daisy Khan, is being formally recognized as one of "21 Leaders of the 21st Century." She shares this honor with twenty other, mostly female, leaders chosen by Women's ENews. Khan in particular is being recognized for her work in advocating women's rights in the Islamic world with a program called the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equity (WISE). A gala dinner will be held on May 21st for all twenty-one leaders. For more information on Daisy Khan, view her profile on the Women's ENews website. The Tibetan Karmapa in the US On a historic visit, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, leader of one of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived in the United States on the 16th of May. The 22-year old religious leader is visiting New York, New Jersey, Colorado, and Seattle, in a tour which covers our country's centers of Tibetan culture. He is believed to be a reincarnated lama, a spiritual leader who achieved enlightenment and repeatedly reincarnates to lead others to enlightenment. After his dramatic escape from Tibet in 1999, the Karmapa has gained worldwide notoriety. The Karmapa plans on returning to Dharmsala, India on June 2nd, where the Tibetan government in exile is based. For additional information, visit the official site of the Karmapa's visit. RFP-USA Members Respond to China and Myanmar Crises After the devastating cyclone in Myanmar (Burma) which left tens of thousands dead, members of Religions for Peace responded by collecting money for aid services. The slow response to the hurricane relief effort by Myanmar's Military Junta has culled criticism by the United Nations and people around the world. However, aid is still needed, even if only in the form of supplies, food, and medicine. In addition: the massive earthquake in China that which thousands dead is also being responded to by RFP-USA members. China is open to international aid and is public in its struggle to bring aid to effected areas. The following are some of our members contributing to relief efforts in either country: The Church of the Brethren The Episcopal Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Islamic Circle of North America The Islamic Society of North America The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation The Islamic Society of North America Maryknoll Sisters Orthodox Church in America Presbyterian Church Union for Reform Judaism United Church of Christ United Methodist Church Union for Reform Judaism Unicef


Open Letter - Let Sanity Prevail In Zimbabwe The African Council of Religious Leaders [The African arm of Religions for Peace] 23 April 2008 The leadership of the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) is profoundly saddened with the post-election uncertainty that has gripped Zimbabwe. The Council is distressed and deeply disturbed that after years of extreme socio-political and economic difficulties, violence is imminent in Zimbabwe. The people of that country are at the moment undergoing tremendous pressures occasioned by the socio-political and economic problems. Religions for Peace ACRL strongly believes that peace and stability in Zimbabwe is of paramount importance. The Council therefore urges all the political actors in Zimbabwe to continue working vigorously towards such peace and stability. The President of Zimbabwe, the Government he leads and its agencies have a specific responsibility in this regard, especially to respect human rights and the sanctity of life of citizens. Religions for Peace ACRL urges all peace loving Africans and friends of Zimbabwe to rally around the people of Zimbabwe to seek and find a just and peaceful solution to the present crisis. Religions for Peace ACRL calls for a more pro-active, positive and determined approach from the African Union and all African leaders in the face of the imminent catastrophe in Zimbabwe, which has almost reached crisis levels. All hands must be on deck to banish for good the unfortunate impression that in Africa, many leaders are not interested in the democratic dispensation their citizenry wishes to prevail. The Council fully recognizes the maturity of the people of Zimbabwe and thus appeals to them to continue the peaceful agitation for their rights, to seek political solutions to the current situation, and to stand together to the end-never to seek recourse in violence. Religions for Peace ACRL appeals to the religious leadership in Zimbabwe to be united in their pursuit of a just peace and to speak out against all socio-political and economic injustices perpetrated by any section of the society, people or government in Zimbabwe. The Council further calls on the international community to discourage and stop any actions that may breed further violence and conflict, such as the transfer of weapons. What Zimbabwe needs at this moment from the International Community is full and effective support for every effort or move to reach a peaceful solution. May the God of justice and peace bring relief to our dear people of Zimbabwe. Amen. Archbishop J. Onaiyekan Archbishop of Abuja Sheikh Shaban Mubaje Grand Mufti of Uganda

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a prominant Lutheran Protestant denomination that is based out of Chicago, Illinois. Its baptized members constitute close to two-thirds of all Lutherans in the United States with 4.77 million congregants. The Church was formed in 1988 as a merger of the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. As a fairly liberal denomination, the Church does not prefer literalist interpretations of the Bible, and encourages difference of interpretation or opinion as a healthy alternative to imposed dogma. Noththeless, the church is conservative in its practices, finding a traditional basis in Martin Luther's catechism, which retains elements of Roman Catholicism. The current Presiding Bishop is Mark Hanson, who was re-elected for his second six-year term last year, and serves on RFP-USA's Council of Presidents.


Pursuing Just Peace: An Overview and Case Studies for Faith-Based Peacebuilders As a practical resource for faith and secular community leaders, Pursuing Just Peace addresses the needs of peace-oriented organizations and anyone who opposes injustice or senseless conflict. Seven of the case studies covered follow a diverse group of organizations as they approach the peace building process. Another three studies cover congregations that struggle to learn effective methods of fostering peace. There are still more studies which address gender-based violence and inter-religious collaboration. Pursuing Just Peace educates readers as to effective methods of teaching and spreading peace advocacy, especially in the context of religion. It is published by the Catholic Relief Service, a non-profit that is dedicated to humanitarian efforts worldwide. Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today In Encountering the Mystery, Patriarch Bartholomew introduces the teachings of Eastern Orthodoxy and their practical applications. Bartholomew delves into the mystical understanding of Christian Orthodoxy how it can relate to environmental efforts, social justice, and developing interfaith dialogue between the three Abrahamic faiths. The Patriarch is deeply concerned with the future state of the planet, and outlines how to practice Orthodoxy as a means to improve the world for future generations. Muslims, Christians, and the Challenge of Interfaith Dialogue Post 9/11 America reawakened the national interest in religious difference. However, what real improvements have been made in the general public's knowledge of Islam? What about Islam's view of itself in relation to other religions? Muslim, Christians, and the Challenge of Interfaith Dialogue tells of the current state of the interfaith dialogue and its movement onto youth initiatives and cooperative social efforts. Readers follow just how far Christianity and Islam have come together in the past few years in understanding each other, and their efforts to maintain peaceful, meaningful dialogue.


"Peace, love and understanding, tell me, is there a place for them today? They say we must fight to keep our freedom, but Lord knows there's got to be a better way." -Edwin Star, lyrics to "War"
Archives Visit RFPUSA.org to view previous e-newsletters. Donate If you would like to support the work of RFP-USA, please click here. Or use the button below: Religions for Peace is a spam-free zone This newsletter is sent by permission only. We promise not to trade, sell, or give away your address. Read our privacy policy. Subscribe To subscribe, please visit www.rfpusa.org and enter your e-mail OR send an e-mail to newsletter@rfpusa.org. Please consider sending this along to a friend and encouraging them join our e-newsletter for free! Want to recommend something for us to share in this e-newsletter? Drop us a line at newsletter@rfpusa.org. Unsubscribe If you wish to unsubscribe, send an e-mail to newsletter@rfpusa.org with the word "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line from the address you wish to unsubscribe. Religions for Peace - USA 777 United Nations Plaza, 9th Floor New York, NY 10017 Tel: 212.338.9140 \| Fax: 212.983.0098 \| Email: rfpusa@rfpusa.org ©2008 RFP-USA [Home] [Contact Us] [Site Map] [Privacy Policy]