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Press Release

The Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council Expresses Message of Hope in Light of Tragic Events

Kansas City, MO (April 15, 2014) – We extend our deepest sympathies for the families and friends of those killed and injured in the recent shootings in Overland Park at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom. This is the time of year for celebration and commemoration in many faiths, a time when communities look to the renewal of spring and hope.
Our hearts go out to the Jewish community, as well as the victims and their families, to the victims’ own faith communities, the entire Kansas City area, and all the world touched by this tragedy.
When confronted with senseless and vicious acts of violence we can get overwhelmed by confusion, grief and anger, and the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council is offering prayers for peace, healing and understanding. We honor the rich diversity of culture and religions that enhance our lives, and we speak with one voice of peace and respect for all.
The Council wants everyone to know the outpouring of emails and calls from interfaith communities around the world has been inspiring and gives hope. These groups and individuals want everyone in Kansas City to know they care and are ready to support in whatever way they can.
We celebrate the gifts of pluralism in our city, celebrating the interconnectedness of all life.
Whatever our individual faith traditions, we simply can’t imagine being separate… we can’t imagine our lives without each other.
We invite the people of our community, in every church, temple, synagogue, home, and wherever you may be, to come together in a Prayer for Community Peace at 1:00pm CST on Sunday, April 20. We offer the enclosed prayer and invite all people to join in all or part of this prayer, offered in the spirit of peace and community.
Prayer for Community Peace
We come together in prayer to acknowledge
the Source of comfort in suffering, who forever summons
our human community to justice, peace and forgiveness.
While we may stand today in the shadow of ignorance and violence,
finding our way through hatred, fear, and blind rage,
we know we are not alone.
We extend our loving compassion to all life throughout the world
so that the memory of those lost may be a blessing to us forever.
Almighty Love, you call upon us to love one another,
and to bring mercy to those burdened with sorrow and grief.
You have created us for community, diverse according to your will,
so that we can only be whole together.
Do not let our anger divide us now from one another,
or turn us aside from our abiding purpose.
Rather, let every heart be filled a bright reflection of your everlasting love.
Let every heart that lifts this prayer to you today,
by whatever name it calls upon you, be filled with divine peace.
As we pray this prayer, make these words your own:
In word, spirit and deed I honor you.
Your presence is a blessing, your commitment inspiring.
From this moment forward, I carry my intention to know and be known,
finding peace within so that I might create peace without.
And so it is.
The Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council is a non-profit organization that is building the most welcoming community for all people. The Council is made up of 15 Directors from 15 various faith traditions from A to Z (American Indian to Zoroastrianism). We strive to provide programming to educate the Greater Kansas City area about the many diverse faith traditions represented in the community by joining forces in religion, spirit and community.


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About The Parliament of the World’s Religions: The Parliament of the World’s Religions cultivates harmony among the world’s spiritual traditions and fosters their engagement with guiding institutions in order to achieve a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. Its origins are rooted to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where the historic first convening of the World Parliament of Religions created a global platform for engagement of religions of the east and west. Headquartered in Chicago, Il, USA, the Parliament of the World’s Religions is an international 501(c)3 NGO affiliated to the United Nations Department of Public Information.