Thursday, April 14, 2005
EMAIL FROM LEE PENN
I just got a fundraising letter from Bishop Swing's United Religions Initiative. The letter, dated March 2005, is a 3-page, double-sided screed. The high point of it, for me, was this statement of the current status of the URI and its dreams for the future:
"URI has become an unprecedented global network of interfaith cooperation, launched countless successful projects around the world and become the recognized and respected leader in grassroots interfaith organizing.
Yet there is more work to be done. We aim for the day when:
-- Interfaith cooperation is a recognized norm and religiously motivated violence has ceased to be a global issue;
-- Cooperation Circles [ URI's local chapters ] are a powerful and respected resource for peace in every major city in the world and in many towns and villages;
-- URI is a respected moral authority speaking with a global voice on critical global issues;
-- Women, indigenous people and youth share an equal voice and responsibility for leadership;
-- URI's activities engage over 1 billiion people worldwide."
Yes, you saw that right ... 1 billion people. These guys dream large.
They currently claim 270 Cooperation Circles in 59 countries, and 1 million participants. So they have a way to go yet.
Kyrie eleison.
Lee
