An absolutely amazing ecumenical/interfaith day at our General Convention on Tuesday. In the morning about 25 guests from many Christian communions and many world religions were greeted, and brought greetings, to the 800-plus member House of Deputies.
After being introduced personally, a Jewish rabbi, Muslim imam, and Episcopal priest chanted the Abrhamic blessing (“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you…” etc.) over the House. They began by individually singing the blessing and then blended their voices chanting together. It was positively riveting and no one seemed to even be breathing in that large body!
An informal luncheon was then held for the guests after which they repeated their “performance” (so much more than a performance!) in the House of Bishops. As in the larger House, their time was concluded by the local Lutheran bishop bringing greetings on behalf of the entire, multi-religious population of the Los Angeles area where we are meeting.
The day concluded with a two-hour reception attended by all the guests, the Presiding Bishop, members of the ecumenical legislative committee, and some Church Center staff. A brief presentation was then made on “Standing Together”, a Chrisian-Muslim study program of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
In an otherwise, exhausting and draining day, working with controversial resolutions and strangled budgets, this was truly a prayerful oasis and was deeply appreciated by this Convention.
That We All May Be One 
July 25, 2009 at 3:44 am |
Is there a video of the chant?
July 25, 2009 at 12:29 pm |
Sadly, no. ENS was only permitted to tape sermons because of some kind of copyright thing, according to the new editor of Communications.
July 28, 2009 at 4:26 pm |
The chanting was, for me at least, one of the highlights of the entire convention.