The Basilica of St. Mary, whose rector, the Rev. Michael O'Connell is on the journey, released the following story about the trip:
As the New Year begins, twelve Minneapolis senior clergy from downtown houses of worship will embark on a profound journey to increase their understanding and acceptance of each others faiths, and demonstrate a shared hope for peace.
Accompanied by a photo journalist to record the event, they will travel to Jerusalem, Old Yaffo, Galilee, and Bethlehem from January 9thth. The group will tour sacred sites; visit Palestinians, Muslims, Jews, Christians and peace groups; and dig deeper into their own beliefs to bring a greater understanding of their faith and others back to Minneapolis residents. through January 17
As the senior clergy of their Jewish, Christian and Muslim congregations, they (and their predecessors) have met monthly for more than a decade to support and learn from one another. Although this unique group of friends has much in common, each holds close a diverse set of beliefs and traditions.
“We are deeply committed to our own faiths. Yet we find common ground in our hopes to bring greater peace and unity to an area greatly divided by a long history of religious strife,” says Rev. Michael J. O’Connell. “Through this common ground, we plan to bring back to Minneapolis all that we learn, and to instill a greater acceptance and understanding of unity here in our congregations across the city.”
Participants traveling on this Faith Filled Journey include:
The Rev. Arthur Agnew, Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church
The Rev. Elizabeth Beissel, Augustana Lutheran Church
Imam Makram El-Amin, Masjid An-Nur Mosque
The Rev. Albert Gallmon, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
The Rev. James Gertmenian, Plymouth Congregational Church
The Rev. Kendyl Gibbons, First Unitarian Society
The Rev. Timothy Hart-Andersen, Westminster Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Suzanne Mades, Wesley United Methodist Church
The Rev. Michael O’Connell, Basilica of St. Mary
The Rev. Bruce Robbins, Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
The Very Rev. Spenser Simrill, St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman, Temple Israel
The trip and the clergy’s outreach to their congregations upon return will be captured on film to create a documentary. Veteran Minneapolis film maker and producer of this documentary, Denny Mahoney says “The film, like the trip is as much about the journey their faith takes as it is about the places that they will visit.”
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