Letters June 3, 2002 Issue

Letters

with contributions from Heidi Anderson, Ben Rogers, Patricia Drysdale, Sandra J. Smith, Kathryn Westgard

Thank you so much for the Sentinel of March 4, which focused on the changing role of church in this new century. It arrived just a few days before our church was to host an interfaith meeting to pray for peace. We were already inspired about this project, but this issue supported us with the feeling that we were not alone—that around the world congregations are redefining what it means to be a church. At the core of this new definition is a desire to offer spiritual utility in the community.

The meeting took place on a Sunday afternoon. Representatives from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Judaic, and Sufi traditions read by turns from their respective sacred texts. After each reading, we paused for silent reflection. At the conclusion, we all sang together "Let There be Peace on Earth."

There was a wonderful spirit of solidarity and shared purpose in this convocation. We weren't just talking about the need to pray or how to pray. We were doing it. For one hour we prayed for peace within ourselves and around the world. This was not a demonstration for peace. This was a demonstration of peace.