At the meeting of Bowmanville ministerial on Wednesday I floated a proposal to write a letter the new Islamic Centre in Courtice, extending a neighbourly welcome and stating clearly that we are dismayed by the vandalism the centre has experienced since opening in August. I was pleased that after some discussion we agreed to write the letter and to publicize our support of this faith community's right to express its faith without fear of reprisal. One of the Baptist pastors agreed to draft the letter, and the Seventh Day Adventist pastor spoke eloquently about our need to support this freedom. Around the table were nine pastors, the hospital chaplain, the principal of the Christian highschool, and a representative of the Christian counselling agency in Clarington.
We don't always agree on issues, and at times I am taken aback by the gulf separating us in certain key areas. Yet these are people of good will and I am grateful for every occasion when we find common ground. There is always laughter at meetings (well, nearly always) and we are learning to support one another, including newcomers. Five of the nine pastors present have joined in the past year or so. Our meeting was in Liberty Pentecostal church and the new pastor was very welcoming.
Did you know that we have a local ministerial? Are you glad we do? What are your thoughts about our letter to the Islamic community?
5 comments:
I am surprised that the letter hasn't been sent before this. They opened in August. What is the reason for the meetings. Is it for ministerial support?, what to do in the community? I can imagine that some of the meetings can get pretty interesting if you get on some of the interpretations of the stories in the bible.
I think it's wonderful that you are showing solidarity to this community. It sends a wonderful message. Richard actually stopped in there the other day to ask them how much it would cost to replace their sign that had been vandalized. I think it would be wonderful if a Christian Community helped them with that. Just a thought......
oh sorry...I should have finished that 'thought'. They weren't there so we don't know the answer.....
Will it be an open letter? Publishing in the Clarington This Week would be an even bigger gesture of support.
It's great that we as Christians can get along with each other. If we couldn't, there wouldn't be much chance of getting along with anyone one else.
I heard somewhere recently that Jeasus was very hospitable to everyone. Espically those who were not welcomed by the majority.
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