The House of Deputies ended its morning session July 14 following combined prayers sung in the Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions as part of a visit to General Convention by a group of ecumenical and interreligious guests.
Each of the singers in turn offered a prayer and then combined their voices into what was called "a sung Abrahamic blessing to this house." Christianity, Judaism and Islam all trace their roots to the biblical prophet Abraham.
The singers included Cantor Mark Saltzman, Congregation Kol Ami, Los Angeles; Mu'athin Ben Yousef, the Islamic center of Southern California; the Rev. Peter Rood, rector, Church of the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, Diocese of Los Angeles.
The visitors were introduced by Bishop Christopher Epting, deputy to the Presiding Bishop for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations. The Rev. Dean Nelson, bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, spoke on behalf of the group of more than 20 people representing Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Baha'is in Southern California.
Nelson also thanked the Episcopal Church for the "strong voice" shown on important issues. "Your commitments to social and economic justice, equality and dignity for all, and care for the earth and environment have been evident not only in your actions here at this convention but more importantly in the communities where you have been called to live and serve," he said. "And they embolden and enliven us all."
The ecumenical and interfaith guests were presented to the House of Bishops later on July 14.
"We were blessed, as always, with the presence of our ecumenical and interreligious guests at General Convention," said Epting. "We focused especially upon the interreligious presence since we were in the rich, multi-cultural reality of Southern California where our own Episcopal Church has done such great work. The Jewish-Christian-Muslim chant of the Abrahamic blessing was positively riveting in both Houses. We were blessed by their sung blessing!"
For an audience member's view, please visit this video link.