Below is a summary of the various activities in which I was privileged to participate with others doing interfaith work within the bounds of New Castle Presbytery, the judicatory that commissioned me last May as an Interfaith Peacemaker:
July 23rd–Meeting of interfaith clergy in the 9th Ward of Wilmington, under the leadership of Rev. Andy Jacob. Clergy included: Presbyterian, United Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Muslim, Jewish, IMAC (Interdenominational Ministers’ Action Council, a largely African American association of Christian pastors and elders)
Sept. 10— Interfaith Worship Service at Wilmington Friends Meeting co-sponsored by that weekly meeting and Pacem in Terris. About 100 in attendance. See some in photo below.
Sept. 11 — Interfaith Study at Hanover St. Presbyterian Church, marking the anniversary of 9-11. Four break-out groups about the Baptist, Bahai, Muslim, and Jewish traditions. About 100 in attendance.
Sept. 24— I spoke at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s men’s group, informing them of my interfaith work and local interfaith resources.
Nov. 22 — Annual Thanksgiving interfaith service, held at Peninsula McCabe United Methodist Church. About 60 persons in attendance.
Jan. 5 — Attended interfaith vigil remembering those lost in the Iraq War. Held at Hanover St. Presbyterian Church and co-sponsored by Pacem in Terris. Ending of service held outside near the Vietnam War memorial in Brandywine Park. See photo below.
Jan. 13 — Attended gathering of African American Christians and Muslims, hosted by Congregation Beth Shalom. This service educated attenders about the close relationship between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Jan. 16 — Occupy Delaware and Pacem in Terris co-sposored a public gathering in Wilmington’s Spencer Plaza, connecting faith traditions to issues raised by Occupy Delaware, such as homelessness, and unemployment. Pastors Donald Morton and Lawrence Livingston led the service, which was attended by an interfaith and interracial congregation. See photo below.
April 7 — Jewish members of Occupy Delaware, Akiva and Haddasah DeJack, hosted an interfaith Seder meal at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington. See Picture of Akiva, to left. The Seder was attended by Occupy members Tom and Alice Davis and Norris Cramer from Hanover St. Presbyterian Church, and Occupy members from several traditions (and some from none).