Celebration Fosters Trust Between Faiths

March 12, 2007

Author: SARAH KINGSBURY

Source: Chico Enterprise Record

http://www.chicoer.com/newshome/ci_5415675

To an outsider, the chorus of about 200 voices at Faith Lutheran Church Sunday night would have seemed like an ordinary community worship service.

"This is our cry/this is our prayer/peace in the world/peace in the world." As the voices swelled inside the auditorium, it was impossible to discern between Jewish, Muslim and Christian tones.

And that didn't bother the Rev. Reg Schultz-Akerson a bit.

"As we're increasing more as a global society, we have to understand each other across global traditions," he said.

The third annual Celebration of Abraham, sponsored by the Chico Area Interfaith Council, used the shared acceptance of Abraham to promote tolerance and understanding between different faiths.