FROM THE ECUMENICAL OFFICER - JULY 2021
Twenty-some years ago, Billy Graham had a rally in the city where I was serving. To get a feel for the event, I sang in the choir. One thing that impressed me was that some local Muslims supported the rally, because faith was then front-page news.
I have recently been reading The Prophets, by Rabbi Abraham Herschel. Heschel pictures God in many ways like God as we see God in Jesus: caring, mourning when we live in ways contrary to the life for which God created us.
Last month I was in the (Zoom) congregation for the consecration of Mandy Mastros, pastor at Lancaster, Pa., as a presbyter. I noticed that twice a Muslim cantor had part in the service.
Five years ago the Lancaster Moravian Church moved to the second floor of the downtown bus station, where they manage an adult daycare center, the only one in the city. As their program expanded, they needed more space. The third floor was available, but they did not need that much, so they sought another tenant, one whose schedule and activities would be compatible, to share the space.
They found that the Islamic Community Center was seeking a downtown location. In 2019 there were many meetings of the Lancaster Moravian boards and the congregation and two dinner meetings with the Islamic group to consider many questions: cost, the role of Christian evangelism, possible objections to a Muslim group in such a public space. Then came the pandemic. Eventually the congregation voted to share the third-floor space. The Islamic group moved in at the end of 2020.
So far things have worked well. The two groups have worked together in relation to some homeless persons and on immigration issues. Each has invited the other to some events. The Islamic group uses the facility for large group for Friday prayers and Sunday education. The space is open all week for prayer. The landlord has been helpful in many ways, for example, in parking.
Mandy Mastros thought it would be appropriate for the Muslim group to share in her consecration, so at her invitation they provided a call to worship and a reading from the Quran. Three from the mosque were among the seventy persons at the consecration. She is aware of theological differences and of their working together in serving people of Lancaster. Amid a world of frequent violence among faiths, she is glad to provide a witness of working together.
These friendlier relations with other faith traditions feel different from much of the past, which has often been marked by hostility and violence. Certainly some violence continues, as we have seen in recent years attacks on Jewish and Muslim places of worship.
What would Jesus say or do? He was not afraid to venture into areas where Jews were a minority. Confronting Pilate, he did not argue or try to overpower; he said, “My kingdom is not from this world.” Even when overturning tables of moneychangers in the Temple, he did not violently attack his foes. While using strong words for some other Jewish religious leaders, his main work was gathering and shaping a community of followers—including us.
Lord Jesus, amid the divisions of this world, help us to know clearly when we disappoint you, and help us to love our neighbors in ways that reflect your love for us. Amen.
Hermann Weinlick, Ecumenical Officer
Moravian Church, Northern Province
I have recently been reading The Prophets, by Rabbi Abraham Herschel. Heschel pictures God in many ways like God as we see God in Jesus: caring, mourning when we live in ways contrary to the life for which God created us.
Last month I was in the (Zoom) congregation for the consecration of Mandy Mastros, pastor at Lancaster, Pa., as a presbyter. I noticed that twice a Muslim cantor had part in the service.
Five years ago the Lancaster Moravian Church moved to the second floor of the downtown bus station, where they manage an adult daycare center, the only one in the city. As their program expanded, they needed more space. The third floor was available, but they did not need that much, so they sought another tenant, one whose schedule and activities would be compatible, to share the space.
They found that the Islamic Community Center was seeking a downtown location. In 2019 there were many meetings of the Lancaster Moravian boards and the congregation and two dinner meetings with the Islamic group to consider many questions: cost, the role of Christian evangelism, possible objections to a Muslim group in such a public space. Then came the pandemic. Eventually the congregation voted to share the third-floor space. The Islamic group moved in at the end of 2020.
So far things have worked well. The two groups have worked together in relation to some homeless persons and on immigration issues. Each has invited the other to some events. The Islamic group uses the facility for large group for Friday prayers and Sunday education. The space is open all week for prayer. The landlord has been helpful in many ways, for example, in parking.
Mandy Mastros thought it would be appropriate for the Muslim group to share in her consecration, so at her invitation they provided a call to worship and a reading from the Quran. Three from the mosque were among the seventy persons at the consecration. She is aware of theological differences and of their working together in serving people of Lancaster. Amid a world of frequent violence among faiths, she is glad to provide a witness of working together.
These friendlier relations with other faith traditions feel different from much of the past, which has often been marked by hostility and violence. Certainly some violence continues, as we have seen in recent years attacks on Jewish and Muslim places of worship.
What would Jesus say or do? He was not afraid to venture into areas where Jews were a minority. Confronting Pilate, he did not argue or try to overpower; he said, “My kingdom is not from this world.” Even when overturning tables of moneychangers in the Temple, he did not violently attack his foes. While using strong words for some other Jewish religious leaders, his main work was gathering and shaping a community of followers—including us.
Lord Jesus, amid the divisions of this world, help us to know clearly when we disappoint you, and help us to love our neighbors in ways that reflect your love for us. Amen.
Hermann Weinlick, Ecumenical Officer
Moravian Church, Northern Province