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Ecumenical / Interfaith Ministry

Contact Person: Jim Drummond
mailto:interfaith@stcharleschurch.org?subject=Ecumenical_Interfaith_Inquiry

Updates

* Our next meeting will be Thursday, July 22, 2010, at 7 p.m. in Room 104 in the St. Charles community center.  We will discuss plans for the Oct. 17 middle school youth event.

* The Interfaith Conference of the Washington, D.C., area is sponsoring Amazing Faith Dinner Dialogues on Aug. 8, 2010, to bring together small groups of people of diverse religious backgrounds to share faith experiences. The dinners begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. These dialogues are bound to include both "head" and "heart" sharing and discussions of traditions represented. For more, contact the Interfaith Conference by e-mail: annd@ifcmw.org or on the web at http://www.ifcmw.org.

Letter of Support

Interfaith Committee expresses support for Virginia House of Delegates' selection of Imam Johari for opening prayer in March 2010:

Dear Imam Johari,

We are writing to express our support of you and your legacy of working to promote interfaith tolerance and understanding. In our years of working with you, we know you to be a great advocate for peace. We are deeply saddened and disturbed by this week's protests. Quite to the contrary, we are very pleased and proud that you were asked to lead the prayers for the opening session of the VA House of Delegates.

As you and others talked about during our Interfaith Panel on March 7th, the work of promoting peace is difficult and often met with narrow-minded opposition. We are praying for your continued efforts, even in the face of such difficulties, and want you to know that you are not alone in your quest.

Sincerely,

Father Gerry Creedon
& the St. Charles Interfaith Committee 

Previous Events

• Panel discussion on the causes of friction among Abrahamaic faiths and what can be done to address them
  On March 7, 2010 a panel discussion called "Developing Understanding among Abrahamic Faiths: Opportunities for Cooperation in the Local Community" delved into the causes of friction among Abrahamic faiths and what can be done to address them.
  Panelists included:
  Rev. Leonard Hamlin - of Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington, Va.
  Rabbi Tamara Miller - of the Center for Integrative Medicine in Washington, D.C.
  Imam Johari Abdul-Malik - of the Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va.
  Father Gerry Creeden - pastor of St. Charles moderated the panel
  
  
• Panel Discussion on Mysticism as a Common Theme among Religions
  On Oct. 26, 2008, a panel of religious leaders representing Catholic, Jewish, Protestant and Islamic traditions discussed "The Role and Heritage of Mysticism in Modern Religions With Origins in the Middle East."
  Panelists included:
  Father Thomas Ryan - a Paulist priest who has written on mysticism as a form of spiritual practice
  Rabbi Bret Isserow - with Beth Al Synagogue in Alexandria and hosted a Seder for St. Charles parishioners in April 2008
  Rev. Dr. Carol Flett - Interfaith Programs Coordinator at the National Cathedral
  Uzma Farooq - Vice President of the Muslim Women's Coalition
  Father Gerry Creeden - pastor of St. Charles moderated the panel
  
• Seder Meal, April 20, 2008 - The St. Charles Interfaith Committee partnered with our brothers and sisters at Beth Al Synagogue in Alexandria to provide St. Charles parishoners with an opportunity to witness a Seder. Three dozen parishioners attended.
  
• Interfaith Marriages Resources from St. Charles
  
• Adult Education - Conversation with Creedon event discussed interfaith relationships, Jan. 13, 2008
  Survey Results: Winter 2008 interfaith family questionnaire survey results
  
• Open Houth of Faith (OHOF) - On Feb. 7, 2006, St. Charles opened its doors to the community and presented “A Brief Introduction to Catholicism for All Ages.” The evening featured short talks, a Q&A session, and a tour of the church with Fr. Charles Ukwe. Other local faith communities hosting Open Houses included Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, Pentecostal, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian, and Baha'i communities. For a complete list of Open Houses, see openhousesoffaith.org/events.htm.  For more information on the St. Charles Open House, see the flyer (PDF)
  
• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Jan. 18-25, 2006
  
• Miracles and Lights:  A Musical Chanukah Celebration - Dec. 11, 2005
  
• Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - Members of Arlington faith communities joined together for the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Host: Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 2700 South 19th St., Arlington.  Several new congregations participated this year.
  
• Conversations with Creedon - "Progress and Obstacles in Catholic-Jewish Dialogue," Sept. 4, 2005
  
• Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust:  A Dialogue Toward Consensus and Healing, May 2, 2005
  
• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25, 2005
  
• Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Nov. 24, 2004
  
• LARC Conference (Lutheran, Anglican and Roman Catholic), Nov. 12-23, 2004
  
• Iftar Meal and Ramadan Conversation, Oct. 22, 2004
  
• Our Father, Our King: An Introduction to the Music and Liturgy of the Jewish High Holidays., Sept. 5, 2004
  
• A Musical Introduction to the Jewish Tradition of Sabbath Celebration, Sept. 15, 2003
  
• An Introduction to the Jewish High Holidays and Passover, March 31, 2003