Faith Leaders Share Messages of Peace and Civility

As we approach Election Day, the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia (RLC) is stepping forward with a unified message of peace and civility, to combat the divisive discourse we so commonly see. The RLC is composed of 36 senior leaders representing major religious communities in the region. It is coordinated by Interfaith Philadelphia, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting interfaith understanding.

The Peace and Civility series, which began at the start of this month, will continue through Election Day (November 5). It features short messages and prayers promoting healing, understanding, and respectful dialogue, all from different faith leaders and all of which can be viewed on Interfaith Philadelphia’s YouTube channel.

“This initiative seeks to rise above partisanship, emphasizing shared values that strengthen our community,” says Rev. Edward Livingston, Director of Religious Community Initiatives. These messages of peace are intended to encourage all Philadelphians, regardless of faith background, to cultivate a spirit of peace and civility during this important time.

Thus far, powerful messages have been shared by Reverend Edward Livingston, Director of Religious Community Initiatives at Interfaith Philadelphia; Archbishop Nelson J. Perez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Kavneet Singh of the American Sikh Council; and Rabbi Beth Janus of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia. Look out for more from the Bahá’í, Lutheran, and Presbyterian traditions.

Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia (RLC)
The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia was founded in April 2006 to build relationships of mutual support, offer a moral and spiritual voice in the region, and identify issues of local concern for dialogue and action. The Council is coordinated by Interfaith Philadelphia.

Co-Conveners:
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
The Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutiérrez, Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Rabbi David Straus, Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Imam Anwar Muhaimin, Quba Masjid

Members:
Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green Sr., African Methodist Episcopal Church
Imam Mohamed Shehata, Al-Aqsa Islamic Society
Kavneet Singh Pannu, American Sikh Council
Bishop J. Louis Felton, Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity
Rabbi Beth Janus, Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia
Bishop Guy Glimp, Church of God in Christ
Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian, Congregation Mikveh Israel
Bishop Peter Hwang, Council of Korean Churches of Greater Philadelphia
Rabbi Eli Freedman, Delaware Valley Association of Reform Rabbis
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, United Methodist Church
Dr. Gity Etemad, Greater Philadelphia Bahai Community
The Very Rev. Archimandrite Avgoustinos Psomas, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Rev. Luis Cortes, Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity
Dr. Tahir Wyatt, Majlis Ash Shura of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley
Rev. Stephen Kriss, Franconia Conference, Mennonite Church USA
Rev. Dr. Calenthia Dowdy, Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia
Imam Muhammad Abdur-Razzaq Miller, Mosque of Shaikh M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
Rev. William Worley, Pennsylvania Southeast Conference United Church of Christ Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer, Philadelphia Council of Clergy
Rev. Terry Davis, Philadelphia Gospel Movement
Dr. Wilson Goode, Philadelphia Leadership Foundation
Christie Duncan-Tessmer, Phila. Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace, Presbytery of Philadelphia
Rabbi Abe Friedman, Rabbinical Assembly, Philadelphia Region
Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Fr. Mina Mina, St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Delaware
Lt. Colonel Larry Ashcraft, Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Bishop Bryan Penman, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ECLA
Pres. Kim McNaughton, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Rev. Kevin Jagoe, Unitarian Universalist Assoc., Central Eastern Region
Rev. Dr. Hojin Park, Won Institute of Graduate Studies