News for the ‘AVHRTF’ Category
March 9, 2010 Statement from Antelope Valley Interfaith Council
The following was read by Valerie Elliott, AVIC President, at a news conference on March 9, 2010, regarding the resolution of the Antelope Valley Human Relations Task Force condemning statements of Mayor R. Rex Parris and City Councilwoman Sherry Marquez of the City of Lancaster:
Some may think the resolution presented here is anticlimactic. However, the simple fact that people are still talking about it, and writing letters to the editor, says Lancaster and this valley are not yet “over it.”
There are a few things that need to be remembered.
Most everyone is aware that Lancaster Mayor Parris realized there was a larger back-lash than he anticipated by his public comments; and he has given a genuine apology to the public. Unfortunately, there was a timing problem, in that he was aware of the complaint that had been reported to the Task Force and was invited to a special meeting to discuss it. Instead of going to the meeting, he chose to have a public press conference a few hours before. To apologize through a press conference was a wonderful thing to do; unfortunately, it isn’t the press that does the reporting for complaints filed with the Task Force. The Task Force still needed to go through its procedures.
Edited: March 11th, 2010
Blessings of the Spring Season!
As we move from Spring towards Summer, we think of the seeds we have planted that will sprout and grow in the coming growing season. What seeds have you planted? What do you plan to harvest from life in the fall? Plants grow with nurturing, so plan to nurture your soul with us at the National Day of Prayer service we are holding this May. Our services nurture and feed the spirit and soul of all faith traditions, in inclusive manner. We work together for common goals and take pride in our diversity and celebrate it. Our country was founded on precepts of religious freedom by settlers trying to escape religious intolerance. Here in our valley, we celebrate our differences by partnering with the Antelope Valley Human Relations Hate Crimes Task Force in presenting a program where all faiths can pray for our elected officials in their own manner. And we can learn from each other’s differences, just how alike we really are.
Edited: April 5th, 2009
Sept. 11 memorial service unites faith leaders
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Friday, September 12, 2008
by NORMAN SHOAF
Valley Press Religion Editor
LANCASTER — Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001?
Rev. Leonard Jackson of Los Angeles’ First AME Church recalled that he was in Lexington, Ky. promoting interfaith dialogue, when a friend phoned him at his hotel and asked, “Are you watching TV?”
Of course he was.
“I couldn’t really believe what we were seeing,” Jackson told more than 100 attendees at the seventh annual 9-11 Memorial and Unity Service on Thursday evening at the Islamic Center of North Valley.
The event, sponsored by the Antelope Valley Interfaith Council and the Antelope Valley Human Relations Task force, brought together community leaders and residents to share prayers from multiple faith paths, tributes to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terror attacks, appreciation for America’s military and law enforcement personnel and messages of reconciliation and oneness.
Keynote speaker Jackson shared his experiences of that fateful day.
“People began to cry,” he said of a morning visit to the University of Lexington. “There was chaos in the community.”
The university’s chapel was not large enough to accommodate all the students who wanted to gather together seven years ago.
In such times, Jackson said, “people rely on faith traditions to tell them what to do.”
Edited: September 12th, 2008
Interfaith Council and AVHRTF sponsor Sept. 11 memorial
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Tuesday, September 9, 2008.
By NORMAN SHOAF
Valley Press Religion Editor
LANCASTER – “America – United We Stand, Divided We Fall” has been chosen as the theme for the 9-11 Memorial and Unity Service on Thursday at the Islamic Center of North Valley.
The service, observed each year since 2002, brings together civic officials and faith leaders for prayer, patriotic speeches and remembrance for the victims of the 9-11 terror strikes on the United States.
The event, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., is open to the public.
This year’s memorial, sponsored by the Antelope Valley Interfaith Council and the Antelope Valley Human Relations Task Force and endorsed by the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale, will feature a keynote address from the Rev. Leonard Jackson, from the office of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The evening’s ceremonies will include prayers, readings and presentations from representatives of diverse Valley houses of faith. A community meal will be served at no charge following the event.
Edited: September 10th, 2008
