Global Ministries

Below is the NILI Letter to Secretary of State Rice and the list of the 28 Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders who endorsed the Letter. It was sent March 20, 2008 by FAX to Secretary Rice.

Christians and Muslims are increasingly aware of the need for a clearer understanding of one another for developing closer relationships. Misconceptions, anxiety, and lack of understanding have often hampered Christians and Muslims leaders in developing friendly and productive relations. Many desire more accurate information about Islam or Christianity and Christian-Muslim relations and the time to study and reflect on the teachings of Islam and Christianity. This institute will give Christian pastors / pastoral workers, as well as Imams / Muslim community leaders, the opportunity and time to learn and reflect together about the two religions and the history of relations between the two faiths.

It's a sermon that has been widely preached for five years and generally ignored in the halls of government. As the fifth anniversary of the March 17 invasion of Iraq approaches, the general secretary of the National Council of Churches USA repeated the message: the war has been a ‘disastrous mistake' and should be brought to an end. Speaking on behalf of the NCC's 35 member communions, all of whom have been critical of the war, the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon also said the war intended to make America safe from terrorism "has made this country less secure."

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of Churches USA, has condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the murder of Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho in Mosul, Iraq. The archbishop was seized by gunmen as he left Mass on Feb. 29. His three companions were killed in the attack. Despite appeals for his safe release, the archbishop's body was found yesterday just outside Mosul in northern Iraq.

Representatives of several Muslim organizations and Christian denominations have launched a National Muslim-Christian Initiative in North America. Fifteen representatives met this week near Washington D.C. The meeting - coordinated by Mr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Director of Communications and Community Outreach of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, Consultant for interfaith relations of The Episcopal Church U.S.A. - was convened following consultations between numerous Muslim and Christian organizations and leaders in the recent past. The Initiative was further inspired by an unprecedented letter from Muslim to Christian leaders around the world, as well as mutual concerns over misrepresentations of Islam and stereotypes of Muslims in North America. "This Initiative is part of ongoing Muslim efforts to engage other faith communities in North America, and to bring about an understanding of common goals and reconciliation in our communities," stated Dr. Syeed Sayyid, National Director in the ISNA Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances. Christians and Muslims across the continent regularly encounter one another at their work places and in their local communities. Representatives to the Initiative discussed the desire for relationships of trust in these communities and explored areas of common concern and understanding. Initiative representatives set up five task groups to frame its work and prepare for future gatherings to be held twice a year. The Initiative also adopted a mission statement to shape this work in the coming years, as follows: We, from various streams of Muslim and Christian communities, seek to enhance mutual understanding, respect, appreciation and support of what is Sacred for each other through dialogue, education and sustained visible encounters that foster and nurture relationships. "This Initiative of Muslim and Christian leaders sends a message to those in North America - We co-exist in vibrant communities where awareness and cooperation will be our common future together," stated co-convener, Dr. Peter Makari, co-Chair of the Interfaith Relations Commission of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and Middle East and Europe Executive for Global Ministries. The Muslim-Christian Initiative will meet again in Chicago, in September of this year.

Bethlehem not Annapolis

NCC News

Joan M. Wagner, 82, passed away Friday, July 27, in the Healthwin Specialized Care Facility. She was born on December 1, 1924, in South Bend, to the late William and Elsie (Nish) Griffis. On May 8, 1951, she married the love of her life, Raymond R. Wagner, who preceded her in death on October 4, 1998. They were married for 47 years.