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Ours is an age in which faith and action have begun to discover convergent paths. As the father of monotheism and the physical and spiritual forefather of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, Abraham is the unifying point for over three billion people who are, in fact, part of a common family. We are seeking active collaborators among friends of aligned mission and vision who have pledged service to peacemaking, and understand the need for respect and harmony among these three great faiths. Much has already been accomplished and much has yet to be done. Both the “Rabbis and Imams for Peace” conference and the Synthesis Dialogues are examples of just two of the many efforts underway to bring peace to the family of Abraham.
There was no shortage of moving moments during the unprecedented "Rabbis and Imams for Peace" conference in 2004, which was sponsored by the organization Hommes de Parole. The conference hosted more than 200 rabbis and imams as well as Christian clergy from all over the world to convey the message that religion does not send people out to kill and that anyone who takes a life in the name of religion transgresses a commandment of God. The Synthesis Dialogues, three since 1999, bring together leaders from the world’s faith traditions. These leaders strongly endorse the Abraham Project.
The Pilgrimage of Abraham is a worldwide effort by all faiths to promote understanding and acceptance between the Abrahamic faiths. The Association for Global New Thought, partnering with the Interreligious Engagement Project for the 21st Century, and the Global Negotiation Project at Harvard University, plans to inspire ‘Abraham Walks’ in communities throughout the world whereby “omni-local” grassroots teams comprised of people from all faiths and cultures will walk from churches to mosques to synagogues, and jointly create events and activities that exemplify new models for reconciliation. The walks will be undertaken in a context of deep study and dialogue focused on the complex religious, political, economic and humanitarian issues that underpin the seemingly intractable strife embedded in the region, itself, as well as the social tensions shared by 3 billion adherents of Abrahamic faith worldwide. Task force leaders are active in over 205 cities, in 40 states and 10 countries.
The purpose of the Abraham Walk Project is to open up a route in the Middle East retracing the footsteps of Abraham. Initial co-conveners in the U.S. for the Abraham Walk Project include Harvard University’s Global Negotiation Project, and The Association for Global New Thought. Host committees are being formed in Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. Initial project support and funding has come from individuals and foundations in the United States, Brazil, Italy, Syria, Turkey, Israel, and Pakistan.
The Minnesota Pilgrimage of Abraham project began on September 9, 2005 when some 50 people from a variety of area churches met to share ideas for local participation in this international endeavor. A wide variety of events, activities and functions were discussed. Some of the goals discussed were to: Provide opportunities to educate, learn, and ask questions of one another. Work together in a variety of activities to demonstrate our oneness. Create opportunities to have fun with all our friends from other faiths.
On November 19th the group created a working mission statement to guide activities.
The mission of the Minnesota chapter of the Pilgrimage of Abraham project is to: Provide engaging opportunities in the Twin Cities to heal the ancient wounds that separate Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions so people of all Faiths can Live together without fear. Paul Jacobs and Kathy Smith volunteered to co-chair the task force. Teams formed to create an informational brochure and a facilitators guide for small group discussions. In a conference call on December 12th leaders reviewed our process and mission with Barbara Fields, the executive director of the Association for Global New Thought. Participants considered a variety of promotion, fundraising and community building possibilities. On January 21st, 2006 the task force gathered to review progress and explore new possibilities. The sample informational brochure was approved. The small group facilitation booklet team regrouped and a team volunteered to film an interfaith round table discussion for use as a conversation starter in small groups and for use in promotion.
April 15, 2006 Pilgrimage of Abraham Organizational Meeting Minutes
We discussed the development of the circle process as the form for the inquiry into the meaning and significance of Abraham in our lives. Our next steps:
A) Jane has reserved a neutral meeting space (to make it more available to Muslims and Jews) for the next series of circles. They will be on Tuesday evenings 6:30 – 8:30 for 8 weeks from June 13th through August 8th except July 4th. We will meet on the second floor at FOLC at 1806 Riverside Ave. Ste.3, Minneapolis, MN 55454. Parking at meters along Cedar, Riverside and 4th street (Riverside becomes 4th street westof Cedar) is free after 6 PM. Also, there is a large lot at Riverside Plaza apartments southwest of the office that used to be permit parking but is now open to the public.
We will try to structure the series thus:
1) Establish the circle, experience circle process, discuss community building communication and our individual backgrounds concerning Abraham.
2) Guest speaker (Christian, Muslim, or Jewish) to present their faith tradition around Abraham and answer questions.
3) Circle Inquiry Process to discuss the impact of last week’s information on our experience of Abraham and to deepen our process.
4) Guest Speaker.
5) Circle Inquiry Process.
6) Guest Speaker.
7) Circle Inquiry.
8) Closing the circle.
B) We will try to get the guest speakers from local churches/synagogues/mosques so we build a relationship that can develop into a walk between faith communities this Fall
The next organizational meeting will be May 27th 10 – 12 at Unity South.
For more information on the international Abraham Walk Project go to www.abrahampath.org
For information on the New Thought Pilgrimage of Abraham project go to: http://www.agnt.org/snvRes/snvAbraham/abraham.htm
For information on the Minnesota Pilgrimage of Abraham Project call Paul Jacobs at 651-773-1170 or Jane Johnson at 652-699-4157 or email Paul at pjacobs289@aol.com
For information on Unity Circle a Community Building Ministry go to http://www.unitycircle.org