November 26, 2014
An Invitation from the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders
In this Thanksgiving season, we send warm greetings to the people of Greater Los Angeles with gratitude for the opportunity to be united in service addressing issues of spiritual and societal importance within our region. We give thanks for our faith communities and the ways in which they come together in common cause.
Looking to the new year ahead, we pledge our commitment to leadership and stewardship in the following areas: advocating for comprehensive immigration reform and local care of child refugees; working to stop the malaise of racism together with economic disparities and inequities; collaborating for affordable housing for deserving constituencies including veterans and the homeless mentally ill; investing in employment and empowerment for area youth; engaging regional issues of climate change; and providing opportunities for interfaith prayer, dialogue, and wider civil discourse.
To these ends, we invite the participation of all people of good will, and we envision quarterly roundtable discussions for purposes of sharing information and collaboration. The first of these discussions is planned in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2015, in the Great Hall of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul, 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles. Your participation on this occasion, and at future roundtable conversations, is most welcome.
May the Presence of the Holy surround and you and your loved ones this holiday season.
Signed: November 26, 2014
The Right Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop Diocesan, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles,
and President, Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders
Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Resident Bishop, Los Angeles Episcopal Area
United Methodist Church, California-Pacific Conference
The Rev. Linda Culbertson, General Presbyter,
Presbytery of the Pacific
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate,
Armenian Church of North America, Western Diocese
Rev. Don Dewey, Co-Regional Minister-President,
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Pacific Southwest Region
Rabbi Mark S. Diamond, Regional Director, AJC Los Angeles,
and Immediate Past President, Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders
The Rev. Dr. R. Guy Erwin, Bishop,
Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rabbi Morley Feinstein, Vice President, Board of Rabbis of Southern California,
and Senior Rabbi, University Synagogue, Los Angeles
The Right Rev. Mary D. Glasspool, Bishop Suffragan,
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Right Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs Officer,
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Brother Shakeel Syed, Executive Director,
Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
