Religious Faith / Diversity

Religious Faith/Amish/Quilt/McNamee, Mark/Overcoming October's grim anniversaries/The Virginian-Pilot/Richmond/VA/USA/6-Oct-07/…The other story was datelined Nickel Mines. Describing how the Amish went stoically about their business on Oct. 2, the account also mentioned Virginia Tech and bonds formed between the two communities in the wake of the April 16 tragedy there.

Catching up with Tech Provost Mark McNamee, I learned some of the details.

Last summer, a busload of the Nickel Mines Amish traveled from Pennsylvania to Blacksburg to pass on a comfort quilt, created by Ohio schoolchildren to commemorate child victims of violence after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The chain of connection led through Pennsylvania to Virginia.

At a private luncheon, mourners shared personal stories. "What could have been very sad turned out to be very uplifting, even though it was emotional and there were tears shed," said McNamee, who finds some kinship with the Amish perspective on forgiveness and community as a member of the Religious Society of Friends. ….

Religious Faith/Peace Activities/Mormonism/Fox, Tom/Anarchy and Mormonism/Salt Lake Tribune/Salt Lake City/UT/USA/19-Oct-07/In 2005, Van Wagenen traveled to Iraq with a Christian Peacemaker Team, where he roomed with Quaker activist Tom Fox. After Van Wagenen returned home in November, Fox was kidnapped and murdered.
The young Mormon returned to Iraq in January 2007, where he, too, was kidnapped with two others and held for nine days. After his release, Van Wagenen promised himself he would continue to work for peace. He published one of Fox's essays on peace in the Mormon Worker. But, for the sake of his parents, Van Wagenen won't go back to Iraq. ...

Religious Faith/Education/Jones, T. Canby/T. Canby Jones Meetinghouse/Wilmington News Journal/Wilmington/OH/USA/10-Oct-07/WILMINGTON — Wilmington College will recognize T. Canby Jones for his life’s work as a Quaker theologian, educator, mentor, scholar and peacemaker Oct. 19 ...

Religious Faith/Columbia (SC) Society of Friends/Quakers quietly mark a milestone/The State/Columbia/SC/USA/20-Oct-07/But as the Columbia Society of Friends gather Sunday to remember their modern history, they also celebrate their place in society as witnesses to peace. …

Religious Diversity/Spirituality/Death and Dying/Spring, Barbara/Lama shares gentle acceptance of loss/Albany Times Union/Albany/NY/USA/7-Oct-07/Barbara Spring, a gerontologist from Albany and a Quaker, said Samten's message appealed to people of all faiths because it focused on the spiritual aspects ...

Religious Diversity/Peace and Social Concerns/Friends Meeting of Washington, DC/INTERFAITH GATHERING/Washington Post/Washington/DC/USA/7-Oct-07/"Abraham's Tent," an interfaith gathering that will be hosted by the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Friends (Quaker) Meeting of Washington, begins at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Friends Meeting House, 2111 Florida Ave. NW. There will be a discussion of the film "Three Faiths, One God: Judaism, Christianity, Islam." Free.

Religious Faith/Graham Friends Church/From rules of the road to God’s law/Burlington Times News/Burlington/NC/USA/20-Oct-07/Beginning Sunday, he’s preaching a series of five messages at Graham Friends Church. He’s preaching as part of revival services that are open to anyone. ...