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March 11, 2007
Inter-Religious Council of Linn County
Contact:
Sr. Helen Elsbernd,
helsbernd@prairiewoods.org
“Know
Your Neighbors’ Faith” to be Presented in April
The
popular 2002 program, “Know Your Neighbors’ Faith,” will be offered again
this April on Tuesdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. in the Alliant Energy
Building Sixth Floor Auditorium.
According to Sr. Helen Elsbernd, Director of Prairiewoods Franciscan
Spirituality Center and member of the Inter-Religious Council’s Community
Relations Committee, “We live in a city of considerable diversity of faith
traditions. These forums will help participants get a better feeling and
appreciation of that diversity.”
The programs feature:
April 1: Judaism
Rabbi Aaron Sherman, Rabbi at Temple Judah
April
8: Hinduism
Dr. R. Vaitheswaran, member of the Hindu Temple
April
15: Orthodox Christianity
Fr. Fred Shaheen, Priest at St. George’s Orthodox Church
April 22: Islam
Imam Ahmed Elkhaldy, President of the Muslim American Society Iowa Chapter
April
29: Dialogue Panel
All four presenters will discuss “Faith of Your Co-Workers.”
The five forums are aimed at
deepening our understanding of four of the major world religions represented
in the Cedar Rapids area, and the role of faith in our professional lives
and places of work.
Elsbernd
adds, “I expect the people who attend will want to gain a better knowledge,
understand and appreciation of others’ beliefs.
“The
Inter-Religious Council and Community Relations Committee have done the
four-part University of Religion courses on various faith traditions. While
they are good for an in-depth understanding, these lunch forums are intended
to give a brief introduction to several faith traditions for people who are
interested but don’t have the time to take a course.”
Participants are encouraged to attend as many forums as possible, and to
bring their lunch. A freewill offering will be accepted. |
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IRC Thanksgiving Service Featured in Gazette
Article
On Monday, November 19 at 7
p.m. at the Unity Center, 3791 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, the Inter-Religious Council
celebrates its 14th Annual Thanksgiving Service for the community. The service
will feature prayers offered from representatives of several faith traditions
represented in the IRC, including Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish,
Muslim and Orthodox Christian.
The offering this year is a
special project, "Home for the Holidays," sponsored by the Partnership for Safe
Families, in which Slumberland Furniture provides new beds for children in our
community who have none. The cost for a twin bed is $110; a full-size bed is
$140. In addition to the cash donations, service participants are asked to bring
new bedding, including sheet sets, pillows, blankets and quilts to the service
so that each child receiving a new bed has the appropriate bedding to accompany
it.
According to IRC President
Rev. Larry McGuire, “I am aware of one faith community that has pledged to
purchase a twin and full size bed from their funds which will be for a total of
$250.00 and then they are asking for the members of the congregation to purchase
an additional 10 beds. Another congregation is working to secure funding for
beds and bedding from their funds and encouraging individual members to purchase
a bed set and bedding as well. I believe our communities of faith can raise
enough funds that this year, we won’t have to have any requests go unfilled.”
Offerings may also be sent to
the Inter-Religious Council at 1035 Third Avenue SE, Suite 205, Cedar Rapids, IA
52403. All donations need to be received by November 20 in order for the beds to
be ready by the Christmastime distribution.
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Gazette, The (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA)
December 31, 2006
Recently, the president of Iran convened a
conference of select individuals to express their views relating to the
Holocaust. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has questioned the scale of the
Holocaust, in which 6 million Jews died. Ahmadinejad has repeatedly
downplayed the extent of the
Holocaust, describing it as a myth used
to justify the existence of Israel and oppression of the Palestinians. He
has called for Israel to be dismantled.
Several organizations have spoken against this conference. Among them is
the Council on American-Islamic Relations. On Dec. 13, the council said,
"No legitimate cause or agenda can ever be advanced by denying or
belittling the immense human suffering caused by the murder of millions of
Jews and other minority groups by the Nazi regime and its allies during
World War II. Cynical attempts to use Holocaust denial as a political tool
in the Middle East conflict will only serve to deepen the level of
mistrust and hostility already present in that troubled region."
It would be easy to dismiss this gathering as insignificant and ignore
what is reported. Ignoring the outcomes is a dangerous practice in
addressing acts of violence, racism and oppression. History provides a
multitude of instances where individuals and nations have chosen to ignore
events at the expense of life. In fact, the Holocaust is a painful reality
because signs were ignored until unspeakable acts caused nations to
respond. Freedom to think is an important aspect of life; manipulation and
denial of facts are dangerous tools of control that destroy freedom. In
Linn County, we have experienced the joy of open dialogue and exchange of
faithful ideas through organizations like the Inter-Religious Council of
Linn County as well as The Children of Abraham. Our community is blessed
by a diversity of religious perspectives and cultural ideas and
activities. It is not enough to condemn the conference in Iran, we must
offer healthy alternatives so that ignorance, acts of violence and loss of
life will not be ignored with our silence. Join us in conversation and
building a safe community for all. Shalom, salaam, shanti, peace.
The Rev. Larry M. McGuire is president of the Inter-Religious Council of
Linn County. He is writing on behalf of the council's board of directors.
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December
19, 2006
Contact:
Tim Hyatt, 389-3768,
timhyatt@msn.com
For
Immediate Release
Children of Abraham to be featured on Ethical Perspectives on the News
The
Children of Abraham, a community study and discussion group comprised of
local Christians, Jews and Muslims, will be featured on the Ethical
Perspectives on the News program Sunday, December 24 at 9 a.m. on KCRG-TV9.
A web site is currently under construction at
www.childrenofabraham.info for future meeting events, dates and
locations, as well as archived materials and related links. Please visit the
web site to sign up to receive regular emails from the Children of Abraham. |
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December 4, 2006
Inter-Religious Council of Linn County
1035 Third Avenue SE, Suite 205
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
www.irclc.org
For Immediate
Release
Contact: The Rev. Larry McGuire, 533-1053 or
lmcofc@mchsi.com
Inter-Religious
Council Holds Annual Meeting
The Inter-Religious Council of Linn County holds
its Annual Meeting Monday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m., at the Community of
Christ Church, 1500 Blairs Ferry Road in Hiawatha.
The meeting includes reports on the year’s
activities from each committee; discussion and voting on proposed by-law
changes; election of new officers and Board members; and approval of the
2007 budget.
The meeting is free and open to the public. |
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November 13, 2006
Inter-Religious Council of Linn County
1035 Third Avenue SE, Suite 205
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
www.irclc.org
For Immediate
Release
Contact: Peg Maher, 319.364.6076
pmmaher@aol.com
Annual Inter-Faith Thanksgiving Service Planned for November 20
The Inter-Religious Council of Linn County has set
November 20 for its annual Thanksgiving service. This year’s community event
will be held at Temple Judah, 3221 Lindsay Ln., SE at 7:30 p.m. People of
all faith traditions are welcome to attend.
“This is a service of prayer and giving thanks,”
says Larry McGuire, President of the Inter-Religious Council. “The service
includes prayers of thanks from many faith traditions, as well as music to
inspire our worship.
“Another element we are adding to our gathering is
an emphasis on remembering those experiencing homelessness and hunger. We
will be collecting canned food goods that will go to the Linn County Food
Bank, as well as a monetary offering dedicated to sharing with those
organizations engaged in assisting our homeless population.”
Representatives of the area shelters will be
invited to the service to share ways to support the individuals and families
they serve.
“I would encourage people to remember the homeless
with a donation food items at this years service,” added McGuire, “and bring
the bounty of generosity with them to the service on November 20.”
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October 26, 2006
For Immediate
Release
Contact: Darci Morin, Churches United:
319.366.7163;
churchesunited@yahoo.com
Ellen Bruckner: 319.377.8795,
ewb91347@mchsi.com
Leslee Sandberg: 319.363.4981,
lesleeds@aol.com
Jos
G. Linn, 515.288.3622,
jlinn@results.org
Zero Poverty Symposium Results in Action Steps to Fight Poverty
An informational meeting is planned
Sunday, November 19 from 2
to 4 p.m. to explain and explore
the volunteer opportunities with RESULTS, a non-partisan grassroots citizens
lobby group, creating the political will to end hunger and poverty. The
meeting is at Christ Episcopal Church,
220 40th Street NE in Cedar Rapids
and is free and open to the public.
This meeting is a next step after the October 15
Zero Poverty Symposium presentation by Jos Linn of RESULTS in Des Moines.
The symposium was sponsored by Churches United, the Ecumenical Community
Center Foundation and the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County.
“RESULTS volunteers are everyday citizens with the
power to make a difference,” says Darci Morin, Executive Director of
Churches United. “Volunteers take specific actions that develop
relationships with members of Congress and shape legislation that improves
the lives of people in need.”
“RESULTS is
committed to individuals exercising their personal and political power by
lobbying elected officials for effective solutions and key policies that
affect hunger and poverty,“ adds
Jos Linn of the RESULTS organization in Des Moines. “We hold public forums,
train citizens in democracy, hold media conference calls to share the latest
information, and produce quality oversight research to determine the
effectiveness of programs for the poor.”
RESULTS is comprised
of more than 800 grassroots volunteers in about 100 communities across the
United States. Volunteers meet in groups in their community and take regular
monthly action to help bring about the end of hunger and the worst aspects
of povert y.
Muhammed Yunus, recent winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in
providing loans to the poor in Bangladesh and Board member of RESULTS had
this to say: "RESULTS... endorsed microcredit as a key anti-poverty
strategy, working though their grass-roots network of citizen activists to
ensure it is given attention by the community, the media, elected
representatives and the government. Over the years, the bond between RESULTS
and Grameen is ever strengthening..."
RESULTS
Domestic Campaigns seek to enact meaningful solutions to problems that help
move Americans out of poverty.
·
Health Care for
All — RESULTS
advocates for protecting the health care programs of today and mobilizing
for affordable and quality health care for all Americans by 2010.
·
Early Childhood
Development —
RESULTS fights to protect and expand programs such as Head Start and child
care so that all children have the chance to realize a brighter future.
·
Tax Policies and
the Wealth Gap —
RESULTS works to enact socially and fiscally responsible tax legislation
that gives every Americans the chance to achieve economic prosperity.
RESULTS Global
Campaigns work to create meaningful and workable solutions to international
poverty.
·
Education for All
— RESULTS is committed to education for all because it is one of the most
effective ways to fight poverty and disease and promote democracy and
development.
·
Global Health
— RESULTS works
to bring an end to curable diseases like malaria and tuberculosis while also
advocating for more funds to fight AIDS around the world.
·
Microcredit
— RESULTS supports
microcredit programs that extend small loans and other services to very poor
people that allow them to start up or expand tiny businesses and thus care
for themselves and their families. Muhammed Yunus, recent winner of the
Nobel Peace Prize, called by many the "father" of microcredit, is a
long-time RESULTS ally and member of the RESULTS Board.
See information
about RESULTS’ current campaigns at
http://www.results.org/website/article.asp?id=240
RESULTS also
has a promotional video for webcast at
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6643097997069281250&pr=goog-sl&hl=en |
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September 19. 2006
For Immediate Release
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Iowa Governor Proclaims Sept. 21 International Day
of Peace
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Iowa Governor Thomas J.
Vilsack has signed a declaration proclaiming September 21, 2006 as the
International Day of Peace, asserting that “the issue of peace embraces the
deepest hopes of all peoples and remains humanity’s guiding inspiration.”
According to The Rev.
Larry McGuire, President of the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County, and
active in leadership of the Community of Christ Church, “The United Nations
instituted the International Day of Peace in 1981, a day which was devoted
to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and
among all nations and peoples.”
Rep. Todd Taylor, (Dem.)
Cedar Rapids, was instrumental in creating a draft of the proclamation, and
working with the Governor’s office to establish September 21 as the
International Day of Peace in Iowa. Taylor and his family are members of
Community of Christ Church in Hiawatha.
The United Nations
expanded the observance of the International Day of Peace in 2001 to include
the call for a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, and invited all
nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of
the day.
The Governor continued,
“There is growing support within our state for the observance of the
International Day of Peace, which affirms a vision of our world at peace,
and fosters cooperation between individuals, organizations and nations.
Global crises impel all citizens to work toward converting humanity’s
noblest aspirations for world peace into a practical reality for future
generations.”
In addition, Vilsack
urges by virtue of his proclamation, “all government departments and
agencies, organizations, schools, places of worship and individuals in our
state to commemorate, in any appropriate manner, the International Day of
Peace. This may include community service projects, cultural exhibits and
performances, a moment of silence, ringing of bells, sharing the universal
wish, ‘May peace prevail on earth’ at noon, vigils, religious services in
our places of worship, and other education and public awareness activities
in order to help establish a global day of peace in our homes, our
communities, and between nations.”
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[Cedar Rapids]
August 16, 2006
Local
Interfaith Group Sponsors Prayer Service for Peace
The Inter-Religious
Council of Linn County (IRCLC) invites people of all faiths to gather in a
service of prayer for peace and healing in the Middle East and throughout
the world, Wednesday, August 23, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s United
Methodist Church, 1340 First Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids.
“We know collectively
that all the tremendous pain and suffering in this world is entirely too
much for anyone to bear alone,” said Rev. Larry McGuire, IRCLC President.
“We must choose a time to stand together for peace and we believe that time
is now. Truly, there is no clash of religions taking place in the world. If
anything, now, more than ever, religions are coming together and asking
governments to cease their heinous activities.”
“We are one family,
sprouting from the seed of Adam,” added Rabbi Aaron Sherman of Temple Judah.
“And as the old saying goes – ‘A family that prays together, stays
together.’ Therefore, let us come together to share in the sufferings of
our fellow man and woman, and pray for the light of God to come down upon us
and show us the road to peace for all humankind.”
Imam Ahmed Elkhaldy,
President of the Muslim American Society Iowa chapter, continued, “Indeed,
we are responsible for what happens in our world. And with great
responsibility comes the need for prayer. In gathering as one community for
this prayer event, we can also hopefully provide some degree of comfort and
encouragement to those in the Cedar Rapids area who have family and friends
in the Middle East. We look for this special evening to be a healing time
for them.”
McGuire added, “We
believe this prayer service unites us spiritually for one purpose: that of
peace in those areas of our planet where human dignity is subject to
increasing violence and disregard for the human family as a whole.”
The service features
leaders from local faith communities of 11 major world religions: Baha’i,
Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Native American, Protestant
Christian, Orthodox Christian, Unitarian Universalist, and Unity.
The prayer service also
provides time for private prayer and meditation before the service and
during the last 10 minutes of the event. In addition, this is a
family-friendly prayer service. “Who knows,” said Elkhaldy, “but that God
will hear and answer the prayer of a child by virtue of their innocence. We
need the entire family to be involved, to pray for the entire human family.”
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Letter approved at the
March IRC Board meeting for submission
to the Cedar Rapids
Gazette
To
the Editor:
Since its founding in
1993, the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County has
made serious and
persistent efforts to promote understanding, honesty and respect among the
great variety of faith communities in this area. As the governing
body of that
organization, we are proud that the twenty-one faith communities that
are members of the
InterReligious Council include Baha'is, Christians, Jews,
Muslims, Hindus and
Unitarian Universalists.
We are therefore outraged
that the Gazette chooses to continue publishing Ann Coulter's column each
week. We are especially offended by Coulter's
scurrilous insults
of Muslims. While we deplore the killing of innocent people in
the name of Islam,
or of any other religion, it is terribly unfair of Coulter to suggest
that such behavior
is typical of Muslims, or that it expresses an authentic under-standing of
the Islamic faith. Here are two recent examples of Coulter's simplistic
and vituperative
opinions: "Muslims immediately engage in acts of mob violence
when things don't
go their way", (Feb. 19) and "Making the rash assumption that
Islam is a religion
and not a car-burning cult, even a real religion can't go bossing
around other people
like this" (Feb. 12).
This is not an issue of
free speech or "censorship"; no religious faith
should be immune
from criticism. But Coulter's venom serves no positive purpose. It neither
illuminates nor informs, nor does it stimulate serious thought and
discussion. It only
abuses and degrades.
For the Gazette to
subsidize and propagate this kind of invective is contemptible and
irresponsible. Please stop carrying Coulter's column.
Sincerely,
Larry McGuire,
President
Inter-Religious
Council of Linn County
And
all members of the
IRCLC Board in attendance at the
March 27, 2006
Meeting |
Ethical Perspectives on the News Upcoming
Programs:
| April
9, 2006 |
Touch Play Machines
Producer: Cedric Lofdahl
Moderator: Peter Welch
Panel Members:
Dave Brackney, Owner of Tommy’s
Ayman Amer, Professor of Economics, Mt. Mercy College
Diane Kepros, Anchor Point Counseling |
| April
16, 2006 |
The Right to Die with
Dignity
Producer: Cedric Lofdahl
Moderator: Charlotte Fallon
Panel Members:
Leanne Burrack, Hospice, Mercy Medical Center
Bruce Williams, Hillcrest Family Services
William Pugliese, Rector, Christ Episcopal Church |
| April
23, 2006 |
Should pot possession and
intoxication laws be changed?
Producer: Cedric Lofdahl
Moderator: Marcella David
Panel Members:
Lonny Pulkrabek, Johnson County Sheriff
Harold Denton, Linn County Attorney
Dedric Doolin,
Deputy Director, Area Substance Abuse Council |
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Ethical Perspectives on
the News March 26
For Immediate Release
March 14, 2006
[Cedar Rapids, IA]
Contact: Cedric Lofdahl,
319.396.2824.
lofdahl.cedric@mcleodusa.net
KCRG-TV9 broadcasts
"Ethical Perspectives on the News" Sunday, March 19 at 9 a.m. The topic for
this week is Who Cares About the Mentally Ill?
The program is moderated by Larry McGuire. Panel members include
Dan Strellner, CEO, Abbe, Inc.; Mechelle Dhondt,
Assistant CPC, Linn County; and Mark Bowden, Editor, Cedar Rapids Gazette.
The program is produced by Cedric Lofdahl. |
Ethical Perspectives on
the News March 19
For Immediate Release
March 14, 2006
[Cedar Rapids, IA]KCRG-TV9
broadcasts "Ethical Perspectives on the News" Sunday, March 19 at 9 a.m. The
topic for this week is Literary License or Literary
Lies. The program is moderated by Dr. Mary Ducey. Panel members
include Jim
McKean, Professor of English, Mt. Mercy College; Mike
Deupree, Columnist, Cedar Rapids Gazette.com; and Frank
Durham, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication,
University of Iowa. The program is produced by Cedric Lofdahl. |
Ethical Perspectives on
the News March 12
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2006
[Cedar Rapids, IA]KCRG-TV9
broadcasts "Ethical Perspectives on the News" Sunday, March 12 at 9 a.m.
The topic for this week is The Outsourcing of Jobs.
The
program is produced by Cedric Lofdahl. |
Ethical Perspectives
on the News March 5
For Immediate Release
February 28, 2006
[Cedar Rapids, IA]KCRG-TV9
broadcasts "Ethical Perspectives on the News" Sunday, March 5 at 9 a.m.
The topic for this week is
Where is the line
between humanitarian aid and criminality?
The program is moderated by Dr. Mary Ducey.
Panel members include
Bob Sessions, Professor of
Philosophy, Kirkwood Community College;
Michael Sellz, Nursing Student,
Mt. Mercy College; and
Raphael Scheetz, Attorney.The
program is produced by Cedric Lofdahl. |
Ethical Perspectives
on the News February 26
For Immediate Release
February 21, 2006
[Cedar Rapids, IA]KCRG-TV9
broadcasts "Ethical Perspectives on the News" Sunday, February 26 at 9 a.m.
The topic for this week is If it is Legal, Does that Make it Right?The
program is moderated by Marcella David and panel members include David
Loebsack, Professor of Politics, Cornell College; Bruce Williams, Hillcrest
Family Services; and Doug Neumann, Opinion Page Editor, Cedar Rapids
Gazette. The program is produced by Cedric Lofdahl. |
Ethical Perspectives
on the News February 19
For Immediate Release
February 14, 2006
[Cedar Rapids, IA]KCRG-TV9
broadcasts "Ethical Perspectives on the News" Sunday, February 19 at 9 a.m.
The topic for this week is Lobbyists - Good or Bad? Panel members include
David Doerge,
Professor of Government, Mt. Mercy College; Steve Ovel, Director of
Governmental Relations, Kirkwood Community College; and Sarah Henderson,
Cedar Rapids Council Member. The program is moderated by Dr. Mary Ducey and
produced by Cedric Lofdahl. |
Statement by
Inter-Religious Council of Linn County:
Adopted by The Council June 3, 2002
Printed by Permission
Cedar Rapids Gazette, June 29, 2002
The Inter-Religious Council of Linn County recognizes that there are severe
and lethal tensions between various religious and ethnic groups around the
world. Along with the majority of the peoples of the world, we deplore
killing in the name of religion or ethnic origin. With peace-loving peoples
everywhere, we hope for an early cessation to all these conflicts. We
believe that human communities can flourish only where there is respect for
religious freedom and tolerance of diversity.
We are particularly concerned that the conflicts and violence in many parts
of the world may create tensions between religious communities here at home.
It is understandable that people in our community will be sympathetic to the
sufferings of others elsewhere in the world with whom they share religious
beliefs and/or family ties. Therefore, it is critical that we nurture and
continue to build upon the ecumenical foundations already laid in our
community.
For the past 10 years, the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County has been
an organization that supports and welcomes people of all faiths. Our mission
is to promote understanding of and respect for the spiritual diversity we
enjoy here and work for the spiritual, moral, social and civic welfare of
the people of Linn County. In order to prevent world conflict from being
imported to our community, the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County
provides information, inspiration, and programming to build a caring
community in which honesty, respect and responsibility are celebrated. |
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