Press Release: The Center for Progressive Christianity to Sponsor Pluralism Sunday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Progressive Faith Newswire: The Center for Progressive Christianity

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Press Release
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The Center for Progressive Christianity to Sponsor Pluralism Sunday

Institute for Progressive Christianity to Co-Sponsor

Gig Harbor, WA April 14, 2008 On Pentecost Sunday, May 11, 2008, churches around the world will celebrate their belief that other religions can be as good for others as Christianity is good for Christians. The event is organized by The Center for Progressive Christianity, www.tcpc.org, a network of about 370 churches nationwide. Its congregations have adopted a "Welcome Statement" that includes this affirmation: "By calling ourselves progressive, we mean we are Christians who recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us." The event celebrates the conviction that Christians can grow closer to God through a deeper engagement with the world's religions. Pluralism Sunday is co-sponsored by the Institute for Progressive Christianity.

Pentecost is the Christian celebration of the story in the book of Acts in which the early Christians in Jerusalem suddenly discovered that, through the Holy Spirit, they could understand each other even when they spoke in different languages. Pluralism Sunday celebrates the gifts that come from listening to the world's many languages of faith.

Rev. Jim Burklo, member of the TCPC executive council and the coordinator of the event, says that "Pluralism Sunday welcomes back to church the many people who have been turned off by the hurtful claim that Christianity is the only true religion."

Participating churches will invite guest speakers, include liturgical elements, and feature music from other world religions in worship on May 11. Some examples include:

• Mizpah United Church of Christ in Hopkins, MN, will do a pulpit exchange with Bet Shalom Temple (Jewish) on Fri, May 9, and Sunday, May 11.
• The Congregational Church of Fullerton, CA will include people from the local Buddhist community in worship and hold a forum on Christian-Buddhist beliefs and relations.
• Barbara Currie, pastor of the Congregational Church in Deering, NH, will preach about how Jesus is the church's gate to God, yet there are other equally important and creditable gates to God for other people.

Last year's event, the first, was observed in worship by sixty-five churches of many different denominations in the US, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, including many which are not affiliated with The Center for Progressive Christianity. This year, many more are expected to participate.

Rev. Mark Farr, President of the Institute for Progressive Christianity (IPC) lauded the events, "At a time when interfaith healing is so desperately needed in the world, we are coming together to acknowledge the common bonds that unite all of us, no matter what religion or creed. The IPC is a proud co-sponsor of Pluralism Sunday."

Pluralism Sunday Website

Rev. Jim Burklo
Pluralism Sunday coordinator
jtburklo@yahoo.co m
415-847-8997

Rev. Fred Plumer
President
The Center for Progressive Christianity
center@tcpc.org
253-303-0022

Faith Newswire email: srockwell@instituteforprogressivechristianity.org

This press release was sent on the Institute for Progressive Christianity's Progressive Faith Newswire. Click here for more information.