Top Religious Leaders Press Rice on Mideast Peace

By Michelle Vu 30 Jan, 2007 17:05 EST

WASHINGTON – A delegation of top U.S. Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday to urge for the United States to take a more vigorous role in promoting a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Six faith leaders belonging to the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East – a coalition of 35 leaders formed in 2003 to advocate for a more comprehensive U.S. approach to Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace – spoke to Rice about two key points: strong, ongoing, and high-level U.S. leadership in the Middle East peace process challenging both sides to be accountable, and the group’s commitment to say “tough things” to their respective communities in the United States and the Middle East to help the peace process.

Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, said Monday’s meeting was “substantive and excellent,” but added that the “real measure of the success” of the meeting can only be seen in the coming weeks, according to the Catholic News Service.

Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, on Monday referred to Rice’s recent trip to the Middle East and commented, “We think the foundation she has laid needs to be built upon” with a sustained U.S. presence in diplomatic initiatives there.”

Monday’s meeting followed a joint statement signed by 35 faith leaders which was sent to Rice in December. The statement included a proposed outline of U.S. action in the Mideast peace process. A letter requesting to meet Rice for further discussion was also sent in December.

Joining McCarrick and Hanson as part of the interfaith delegation were Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of the U.S. Episcopal Church; Rabbi Paul Menitoff, former executive vice president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis; Rabbi Amy Small, past president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association; and Sayyid M. Syeed, former secretary-general of the Islamic Society of North America.

The National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East explains that it draws its unity from the belief that they are “all children of Abraham” and when they come together in prayers, hopes, and work then “peace can come.”

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

Top Religious Leaders Press Rice on Mideast Peace

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.