Interfaith panel to discuss
peace Sunday

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
Two Islamic, two Jewish and two Christian “ambassadors for peace and love” are to discuss peace Sunday at First UMC, San Angelo.
The 90-minute panel discussion, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in the church’s Celebration Hall, is to explore global relationships between Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths in light of current events.
“We’ll discuss what’s going on with the (Iraq) war, what we can do to improve relations and better the climate globally,” said the Rev. Nathaniel A.B. Hankins, associate pastor of First UMC and one of the Christian panelists. “We want to promote peace within our city and communities.”
The dialogue is to begin with each panelist presenting a statement about his or her faith. After that, the floor is to be opened to audience questions.
While the panel discussion is focused on educating and including youths, Hankins said he believes many adults will attend and bring essential questions with them.
“We won’t be able to answer all the questions,” Hankins said. “If we could, we’d definitely be ambassadors of the world. But this will at least generate conversations.”
It is not the first panel of its kind for San Angelo, Hankins said. Roman Catholic Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer of San Angelo organized two others panels earlier this year.
Pfeifer said he formed the ambassadors for peace and love with the intention of presenting dialogues. He promoted the discussions as a proactive way to discuss the world’s problems.
“The purpose I had in mind is how we can promote peace locally and globally,” Pfeifer said. “We share ideas about peace that usually come down to the local level. This has worked out in a marvelous way.”
The first panel discussion happened in early January at the Sacred Heart Cathedral gym, where about 130 people attended, Hankins said.
The second was in March at Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church, he said. Some 400 people attended.
“We’re hoping to match that or at least come close,” Hankins said of the Sunday gathering—though he added that Celebration Hall holds only 250 to 300 people.
Hankins said he has seen many results from the previous panels.
“The conversations from the young people who came were just amazing,” he said.
Pfeifer said a 14-year-old girl has formed a group called Junior Peace Ambassadors that mirrors the adult group.
Hankins said he believes it’s always important to discuss issues like peaceful relations with differing world religions.
“With the young people, we may not think they are concerned about global issues, but they are,” Hankins said. “Here they are able to come to a forum and express their concerns and offer ideas.”
Pfeifer said he plans to continue offering dialogues and presentations. He is even working out how ambassadors could have a common prayer that will honor all three religions.
In Austin University UMC has scheduled several similar sessions during September and October on ways to build advocacy for nonviolence.
From Peace to Nonviolence is a three-part study of Mahatma Gan-dhi’s nonviolent strategies led by Lester Kurtz of the University of Texas at Austin.
For more information contact University UMC at (512) 478-9387 or office@uumc.org.