NCIC Calls For Peace on Veterans' Day
November 11, 2011
Northern California Interreligious Conference
4335 Virginia Avenue
Oakland, CA 94619
510 536-3700
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
11/11/11
Contact:
Jackie Wright,
415 525 0410
MAYOR JEAN QUAN JOINS NCIC PASTORS'
THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST WITH NOTED CLERGYMAN
THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST WITH NOTED CLERGYMAN
DR. JAMES A. FORBES IN WAKE OF OCCUPY OAKLAND
Northern California Interreligious Conference "All Pastors Interreligious Breakfast"
Reminds Clergy of All Religions of their Role to Stand for Peace and Justice and
Calls Pastors to Pray for the Peace of Oakland as Doves Are Released.
Oakland, CA- The
Northern California Interreligious Conference (NCIC) gathers on
Veterans' Day November 11, 2011 (9:30 a.m.) today at the Cathedral of
Christ the Light Church in Oakland with Mayor Jean Quan, Dr. James A. Forbes,
who in 1989 was the first person of color to head the famed Riverside
Church, built in 1927 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. known as a "stronghold
for activism and political debate," Michael Livingston,
Director of the National Council of Churches "Fighting Poverty With
Faith" Initiative, and religious leaders from all faiths to call for
justice and peace in Oakland.
"We
can't thank the Diocese of Oakland enough for their support of this
breakfast as we gather all religions in the first Cathedral built in the
21st Century," said Reverend Greggory L. Brown
Senior Pastor of Miracles of Faith Lutheran Church in Oakland and
President of the NCIC Board of Directors. "When the violence broke out
at Occupy Oakland it became evident that our breakfast which was planned
to thank, inspire and encourage clergy, must take on the greater role
of reminding religious leaders of our great role to stand for justice,
pray for peace and to take action as peacemakers," said Reverend Brown.
Mayor Jean Quan
will be on hand to bring a proclamation that exhorts the Northern
California Interreligious Conference for its over 110 year legacy of
working for justice and peace. It notes NCIC's call for justice in
deaths of young people of Oakland including Brandon Morris, Oscar Grant,
Darnell Barr and others; and commends religious leaders for their often
unsung contributions and their impact for the good of society.
Dr. James A. Forbes,
who is called the "Dean of Clergy" and founder of the Healing of the
Nations Foundation will be the keynote speaker at the event. Michael Livingston,
as Director of "Fighting Poverty With Faith" launched the second
nationwide "Food Stamp Challenge" at Congress to live on $31.50 a week,
will be a special guest. Congresswoman Barbara Lee,
who took on the "Food Stamp Challenge" which ends just as the "All
Religious Pastors Thanksgiving Breakfast" begins, is an invited guest.
Other highlights include Piano Virtuoso Ricardo Scales' performance and
the release of doves heavenward as prayers from different religions are
spoken.
"On
the backdrop of Veteran's Day, when we commend soldiers for their
service to our country and with the "Food Stamp Challenge" just ending,
to hear from Dr. Forbes, who is the Emeritus Pastor of Riverside Church,
the tallest church in America and the 24th tallest church in
the world, we are surrounded by symbolism that should spur us on to
call ourselves and our nation to moral excellence," said Phil Lawson,
Director of Housing East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO) and NCIC board
member. "We will not only speak peace in the walls of the cathedral,
but we will 'act peace' by adjourning and going to the Occupy Oakland
site to be with the people and perform our calling."
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About Northern California Interreligious Conference
The
Northern California Interreligious Conference is incorporated as a
nonprofit in the State of California to advocate for Human Rights and
present a unified voice of its members to speak truth to power and to
inform the public of its responsibility to a higher calling of morality,
service to mankind and ethics with respect of all religious faiths.
Established
in 1914, NCIC seeks to create and sustain in Northern California an
association of local and regional denominations, religious bodies,
congregations, ecumenical and interfaith councils, faith-based advocacy
organizations, and individuals of diverse religious traditions and
backgrounds who share a common commitment to a vision of community that
is based on peace, justice and the care of creation. NCIC HONORED.
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