Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
On February 4, 2001, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article about a newly formed interfaith group among Jewish, Lutheran, Unitarian, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal clergy from Pittsburgh's northern suburbs. Rabbi Art Donsky hosts the meeting of the group once a month at his synagogue, Temple Ohav Shalom in McCandless, Pennsylvania. "'It's a really great opportunity for people of different faith traditions to be in dialogue with one another,' said the Rev. Duane Morford, senior pastor at the Ingomar United Methodist Church in McCandless." At the meetings, members discuss scripture, "ideas for sermons, ways to deal with aging parents, counseling techniques, optimizing benefits for the members of each congregation and service to the community at large. Donsky said members also discuss 'heavy, theologic questions,' free-ranging in their scope, dealing with salvation, righteousness, and fundamentals of dogma." One member states that the group "enables me to learn about other faith traditions and gain Biblical insight that may not be possible in any other way" and it gives members "a healthier and clearer view of another group's teachings." Another member says the group has "'extraordinary value, in everything from community relations to world peace.'...Group members [take] part in each other's classes for youth and teens, and even weekly worship services."