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Office of Ecumenical & Interreligious Relations
The Episcopal Church  (Anglican Communion)
815 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017
Ph 212-716-6220


ecumenical@episcopalchurch.org


©2008 OEIR of TEC

Interreligious Relations
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In 1999 the Office of Ecumenical Relations was entrusted by the Presiding Bishop with oversight of the Episcopal Church's Interfaith Dialogues.

The Episcopal Church participates in Interfaith Dialogues through a variety of means. As a member of the Anglican Communion, it is involved in issues involving Anglicans and other religions on a global level.

In the United States, some Interfaith work is done through the National Council of Churches Interfaith Commission and the National Workshop on Christian-Jewish Relations.

 A major intiative of the office has been the Interfaith Education Intiative, a joint project with Episcopal Relief and Development to provide resources and networking in Interfaith dialogue as part of the church's long-term recovery response to the events of September 11th.

In addition, the Episcopal Church works with a variety of Interfaith organizations to promote better understanding of different faith traditions and to cooperate on areas of common interest.


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Ecumenical guests raise their voices in song and prayer

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.


Interfaith Education Initiative
The Interfaith Education Initiative strives to deepen understanding of diverse religious traditions through awareness, dialogue and cooperation.  More

Interfaith News
National Muslim-Christian Initiative in North America launched
Representatives of Christian and Muslim communities launched an interfaith initiative this week.
Christian and Muslim leaders hail British teacher's pardon
The release of a British teacher in the Sudan was welcomed by religious leaders of several faiths.
Epiphany West Conference at CDSP
The Epiphany West Conference to be held January 28-February 1, 2008, will focus on reading the sacred texts of various faith traditions in the hopes of achieving a more enduring interfaith understanding.
Interfaith peace gathering convenes in Georgetown
Peace is the name of god. So states an "Appeal for Peace" signed by scores of religious leaders at the largest annual interfaith peace gathering in the world. Co-sponsored by the Community of Sant'Egidio, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, Georgetown University, and the Catholic University of America, the event involved more than 800 participants in workshops, common prayer, and a peace procession through Georgetown on April 27.
Epting endorses NCC guide for "Passion of the Christ" film
A reflection guide to Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ," offered by the National Council of Churches USA, has been endorsed by the Episcopal Church's ecumenical and interfaith officer as a helpful guide to parishioners and congregations viewing the controversial film.

Interfaith Resources
Statement on Interfaith Relations (General Convention 2009)
Launch of The Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue
The Elijah Interfaith Institute
Interfaith Heroes Month
Manual for Interfaith Dialogue
Interfaith Relations - EIR Handbook
Interfaith Memorial Day Liturgy 2004
World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation Liturgy

Interfaith Organizations & Institutes
The Interfaith Center
The Interfaith Center of New York is a secular, non-profit educational organization. Our goal is to create understanding and respect among the different religious groups of New York City as well as to encourage members of all faiths to get involved in civic participation. We seek to help solve social issues in the fields of education, the legal system, social work, culture and the arts.
National Association of InterChurch and Interfaith Families
The National Association of InterChurch and Interfaith Families is dedicated to serving the needs of both InterChurch and Interfaith families. We know that there are some obvious differences between InterChurch couples (people from different Christian traditions) and Interfaith couples (people from different faith traditions).
Interfaith Youth Core
Interfaith Youth Core seeks to build a movement that encourages religious young people to strengthen their religious identities, foster inter-religious understanding and cooperate to serve the common good.
Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel
The Interfaith Alliance
United Religions Initiative
The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
Religions for Peace - USA

Interfaith Relations of Partner Denominations
National Council of Churches Interfaith Commission
Lutheran (ELCA) Interfaith Relations
Roman Catholic (USCCB) Interreligious Affairs
Presbyterian (PCUSA) Interfaith Relations
American Jewish Committee (AJC) Interreligious Affairs