Dear
Maritime Conference,
It is with a very heavy heart that I write this letter in response
to the attacks on our Muslim brothers and Sisters at Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec (Islamic Cultural Centre of
Quebec) in Quebec City. Words seem inadequate to express the grief, heartbreak, and
sorrow being felt here in the Maritimes and across our country. This hate-filled action not only infringes on
our sensibilities towards those of different faith, but also shatters our
understanding of the right to worship safely—our very ideals of sanctuary and
refuge from the outside world.
As a result of recent events, my words are no
longer enough to express our solidarity with our neighbours. We can no longer afford to watch as our
ideals and beliefs are pulled away. So I
write this letter to encourage you to reach out to your neighbours, as United
Church congregations, Presbyteries, and individuals: If you have a local mosque, write them a
letter of solidarity. Hold gatherings
where you can get to know each other. It
is in these times that we must know one another so that we can offer support
and encouragement as people who not only speak of what we believe but as those
who live it. If a mosque is not in your
neighbourhood, I encourage you to write a letter to the Islamic Cultural Centre
of Quebec City, to ensure that they feel loved and supported by the wider
community. Communities of faith are
strong, important parts of society, places of safety and community, and we
cannot let these events change that.
Please do not let fear trouble your hearts—be vigilant,
yes, but not fearful—for as we know, fear brings out the very worst in
humanity. Continue to work to make our
places of worship safe and welcoming for all, places of sanctuary and prayer,
fellowship and community. For it is in
these places that we will continue to learn what Jesus meant when he told us to
love our neighbour as we love ourselves.
May Peace and Light be yours this day.
The Rev. Catherine Stuart,
President of Maritime Conference
