Interfaith Prayer Vigil

Our hosts at United Church on the Green passed this along:

Interfaith Cooperative Ministries (ICM) is sponsoring an Interfaith Prayer Vigil Saturday, September 11, at 7:00 PM on the front steps of First and Summerfield United Methodist Church (Elm & College Streets) to express solidarity and support for the Muslim communities of the Greater New Haven area.

As I said in the announcement about the upcoming Vineyard conference on being a blessing to the Muslim community, I really sense that pursuing peace and reconciliation with our Muslim neighbors is something God is calling us to as a community. I will be at the vigil Saturday night, as will John Gage from United Church; it'd be great to see you there.

More about the event from ICM:

Recent events in nearby Bridgeport and New York City along with increasing tension and rhetoric have received more attention over the basic and peaceful religious practice of Muslims. At the same time, we are aware of the controversy growing over the Cordoba Initiative's efforts to build a Muslim community center near Ground Zero which calls our attention to the fear and isolation that our Muslim brothers and sisters in New Haven may be experiencing.

Local religious leaders are becoming nervous about preserving our nation's freedom of religion. Violence and intolerance are in opposition to the core values of the members of Interfaith Cooperative Ministries. We strive for mutual understanding and we also stand in support of our Muslim brothers and sisters and all those who strive for peace.

All are welcome to gather peacefully with members of our Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities - as well as people of other religions who choose to join in - to lift voices in prayer for peace, respect and collaborative ministry in the New Haven area and Southern Connecticut.