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Interfaith 'open house' to commemorate
September 11 anniversary

(ENS) The National Council of Churches of Christ
(NCCC) is encouraging Christian churches to participate
in an Interfaith Hospitality Project as a tangible way to
observe the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist
attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The project calls on congregations to "extend an 'Open
House' welcome to neighboring Muslims" in early
September, as a way to commemorate the tragedy.

"In the days following the tragic events of last September,
the doors of many of our houses of worship were
opened, as people who were looking for comfort and
meaning sought out places to reflect and to gather with
others to pray," the NCCC invitation said. "During those
days, responsible leaders reminded us that it was a group
of Islamist terrorists, and not Islam nor ordinary American
Muslims, that had attacked the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon. Interfaith services and public programs
were held. Many mosques and Islamic centers around the
country held Open Houses, inviting the wider community
to come to know them."

The Interfaith Relations Commission of the National
Council of Churches of Christ (USA) has prepared online
materials to help congregations considering the project,
which may be downloaded, copied and used freely, with
credit to National Council of Churches, USA.

The Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations Office and the
NCCC request that Episcopal congregations participating
in the project e-mail Bishop Christopher Epting or Jay
Rock at NCCC with news of their plans.