Monday, 30 January 2017

Peace and Light: Prayers for Solidarity and Unity

Below is my letter of solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters:

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 

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