|
Interfaith prayer service conducted in Toronto |
|
|
|
|
Written by --
|
|
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 |
TORONTO – About 100 people from synagogues, mosques and churches gathered last week at the Church of the Transfiguration for an historic service of Evensong (the traditional Anglican late-afternoon/evening service), sponsored by the Neighbourhood Interfaith Group.
The Reverend Canon Michael Burgess, incumbent, officiated at the service; Imam Dr. Abdul Hai Patel delivered a sermon; Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl of Beth Tzedec congregation recited a prayer, and Archbishop Terence E. Finlay, former Bishop of Toronto, gave the blessing.
“If we are to leave a legacy of love and harmony for our coming generations, then we must overcome our differences whatever they may be for working as a family of Abraham, to enhance and promote the word of God in His Kingdom, for our success in this World and in the Hereafter,” declared Dr. Patel, immediate past coordinator of the Canadian Council of Imams and president of Ontario Multi Faith Council of Imams.
“This interfaith Evensong service and kosher-halal reception is a unique way of bringing people of our Abrahamic faiths together,” said Bryan Beauchamp, chair of the Neighbourhood Interfaith Group, which represents five Christian denominations – Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic and United Church – and three Jewish denominations – Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist. “Our intention is not to proselytize but to demystify our worship for non-Christians and to demonstrate how much we have in common,” he said. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 November 2009 )
|
