Yesterday I had the great privilege to participate in the Interfaith Peace Service held at All Saints Church in Pasadena, California. This event was convened by the Abrahamic Faiths Peacemaking Initiative (AFPI). You can read the press release about the event here to get a better idea of what the event was about.
Basically, a group of Muslim, Jewish and Christian clergy (including me) sat on the chancel of the All Saints Church while a few of the clergy led a service of peace. Portions of the APFI paper were read, describing how peacemaking is at the heart of all three Abrahamic faiths. Prayers were offered. Homilies were given by Rabbi Sharon Brous, Rev. George Regas, and Dr. Maher Hathout in which religious sponsorship of war was soundly condemned. It was the most bold and daring thing I have ever been a part of.
The most inspiring portion of the service was when cantors from each of the three religions sang calls to prayer at the beginning of the service. Those calls to prayer concluded with the three men - Jewish, Christian and Muslim - singing in harmony, in Hebrew, Latin and Arabic. It was unlike anything I have experienced before in my life.
A documentary is reportedly being made about the service and funding has been donated to repeatedly broadcast the service via satellite throughout the Middle East to illustrate to the people of the Middle East that Christian, Jewish and Muslim Americans are working for peace and understanding between nations and faiths.
A couple of my friends from the Hollywood Adventist Church were there. I was so happy they could experience it.
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