From the May 2013 issue
Rick Ufford-Chase and Sayyid Syeed reflect on the power of a friendship that transformed their callings
In our so-called postdenominational world, it can be difficult to know what it means to be Presbyterian. Sometimes it takes an encounter with a person of another faith to remind us of who we are. The following is a story of one such encounter. Rick Ufford-Chase was 40 years old and nine months removed from being elected moderator of the 216th General Assembly (2004) when he met Dr. Sayyid Syeed. Ufford-Chase was one of the youngest moderators in recent PC(USA) history, the first to serve for two years. Syeed was then general secretary of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the largest Muslim organization in North America. Syeed, who was always looking to meet Christians and was intrigued that Presbyterians had elected such a young, emerging leader as moderator, invited Ufford-Chase to visit ISNA headquarters. In their own words they describe how they met and the power of the friendship that drove them deeper into a commitment for peace and justice through interfaith relationships.
Continue reading
College students cross faith boundaries
As part of a senior project at the University of Tulsa (TU) last fall, Emily Stern, a Presbyterian from Waco, Texas, invited students from TU’s various campus ministries, including Hillel (the Jewish student association) and the Muslim Student Association, to be part of a campus-wide faith celebration.
Continue reading
300,000 Muslims following Jesus
Google the words insider movement and 56.5 million results come up in 0.26 seconds. Next, type in Muslims dream about Jesus and you’ll get 6.64 million hits, which shouldn’t be all that surprising considering there are an estimated 300,000 Muslims in the world who claim to follow Jesus, according to unnamed sources.
Continue readingSurprised by grace: interfaith hospitality
The spiritual practice of hospitality has always been a natural and established way of life for the Valentine family. We derive not only great pleasure but also important interpersonal insights by regularly opening our home to guests of other faiths and cultures.
Muslims in the United States
Muslims represent a large and growing religious group in the United States, with an estimated 2.6 million adherents in 2,100 mosques in 2010. Their numbers have increased by more than 1 million—67 percent—since 2000.
Continue reading
Welcome to the Presbyterian Church!
NEW THIRD EDITION. Presbyterians Today’s special issue and guidebook — “Welcome to the Presbyterian Church!” — is a wonderful introduction and overview of all things Presbyterian.
What Presbyterians Believe 2
Volume 2 of Presbyterians Today’s new special issue and guidebook—What Presbyterians Believe 2—brings you even more of our most popular articles all about Presbyterian beliefs, worship, and practice.
