Arizona Faith Network
550 E. Meadowbrook Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85014
3/2/2016
The Rev. Erin Tamayo FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Executive= Director 3/2/2017
Arizona Faith Network [email protected] (602) 561-5483
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
Arizona Faith Network Board of Directors [email protected] (602) 391-3079
200 Interfaith Leaders Issue Letter of Support to the Arizona Jewish Community
Lifting up our dedication to stand in solidarity with one another in light of the recent bomb threats at 2 Arizona Jewish Community Centers
ARIZONA, March 2nd, 2017– In response to the threats at Jewish Community Centers in Arizona that were suffered this week, part of the 5th wave of Anti-Semitic threats against the Jewish Community nationwide, Arizona Faith Leaders reach out in support and solidarity.
A letter of support was quickly written by members of the “Faith in Solidarity” group organized by the Arizona Faith Network (AFN) under the leadership of executive director Rev. Erin Tamayo. 200 Signatories quickly signed on that come from across the religious, political and racial-ethnic landscape of Arizona. 3/2/2017
The “Letter of Support for the Jewish Community of Arizona,” authored by Arizona Faith Network board member Rev. Dr. Andy Burnette states: “All of our traditions call us to speak out with love in the face of hate, and to stand with those who are persecuted. Know that no act of hate can separate us from you. Though our faiths are varied, our commitment to love and justice unites us.” Rev. Erin Tamayo- Executive Director of Arizona Faith Network said, “as clearly stated in the book of Pslams: “Your kingdom is ruled by justice and fairness, with love and faithfulness leading the way.” It is my hope that our Jewish Community understands that we aren’t able to take away the pain and frustration that are being suffered in this moment, although we would like to. Instead, we prayerfully stand together in sacred solidarity in the face of hate and violence in any form. We work together, arm in arm, until this vision of a just, fair and safe community is achieved, allowing love and faithfulness to lead our efforts as we walk this path together.”
ABOUT ARIZONA FAITH NETWORK – The mission of Arizona Faith Network is to bring together people of faith, under the inspiration of God, as a bridge to understanding and action. We dedicate our mission to building understanding between people through education and dialogue; we dedicate ourselves to action through inviting people of different faiths to work together for a better world, one based on the virtues of peace, respect and justice.
Letter: Dear Leaders and Members of the Arizona Jewish Community, As leaders in several faith traditions, we write to express our solidarity with you, our Jewish neighbors. We are appalled by the recent threats against Jewish community centers and synagogues. We realize that these threats are only the latest in a long history of anti-Semitic violence in the United States and around the world. All of our traditions call us to speak out with love in the face of hate, and to stand with those who are persecuted. Know that no act of hate can separate us from you. Though our faiths are varied, our commitment to love and justice unites us. The psalmist said, “Your kingdom is ruled by justice and fairness, with love and faithfulness leading the way.” May the love and faithfulness of the Holy One, and
Page 2 3/2/2017 the strength of the bonds of community, sustain you in these times. We stand with you, dear friends, as we are all family in faith. Shalom! Peace! Salaam!
Your Neighbors,
Rev. Erin Tamayo, Presbyterian, Arizona Faith Network
Rev. Ryan Hersch, Lutheran, Ascension Lutheran Church
Chapter Director Sandy Bahr, Humanist
The Reverend Susan Anderson-Smith, Episcopal, Imago Dei Middle School
Rev. Tully Fletcher, PCUSA, Orangewood Presbyterian
Mary Dawes, Unitarian Universalist , Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix
Rev. Dr. Judy Winkelpleck, Christian, Mission del Sol
Rev. Kate Lehman, Ecumenical Catholic Communion, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community
Imraan Siddiqi, Muslim, CAIR-AZ
Mark Sanders, Progressive Judeo-Christian/ELCA, Desert Cross Lutheran Church
Khalid Munir, Islam, Islamic Center of Laveen
Mr Ken Pavlisick, Lutheran
Ms Michelle Steinberg, Jewish
Rev. Peggy Roberts, Presbyterian U.S.A./UCC, Beatitudes Campus
Rev. Edward Spence, Presbyterian Church (USA), Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church
Lay Leader Terry Pizzi, Ecumenical Catholic, Guardian Angels Catholic Community
Rev. Dr. Wesley Avram, Christian, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Chuck Milhoan, Episcopal, The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist
Rev. Sue Ringler, Ecumenical Catholic Communion, Guardian Angels Catholic Community
Lay Leader Terry Pizzi, Ecumenical Catholic, Guardian Angels Catholic Community
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Mr Vernon Reamer, Lutheran , Living Water
Pastor (Rev.) Charles G. Kieffer, Roman Catholic, Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Ms Kathy Melamed , Unitarian/Jewish, Valley UU Congregation
Oscar De Los Santos, Catholic/Episcopalian
Rev. Dr. Andy Burnette, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Chandler
Rev. John Fife, Presbyterian, Southside Presbyterian Church
Youth Director Johnny Martin, Arizona Interfaith Movement
Rev Jayne Baker, Lutheran, Ascension Lutheran Church
Rev Debra Peevey, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Retired Imam Ahmad Shqeirat, Islam, MLFA
Director of Outreach Billie K. Fidlin, , Desert Southwest Conference UMC
Ms. Nancy Jamison, United Methodist, Dayspring United Methodist Church
Chaplain Rose Martin
Ms. Evelyn Martin, Christian, North Scottsdale United Methodist Church
North American Regional Coordinator Sari Heidenreich, United Religions Initiative - North America
Rodo Sofranac, Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran
Peggy Guerrero, Catholic, Jordan Ministry Team
Dr. Tamera Zivic, Christian, WHEAT, the World Hunger Education, Advocacy & Training Organization
Stephen Batalden, Christian, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Murchie Javelosa, Roman Catholic
Most Rev. Thomas Olmsted, Catholic, Diocese of Phoenix
Sister Barbara Einloth, Roman Catholic, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill
Rev. Michael Diskin, Catholic, Diocese of Phoenix and President, Arizona Faith Network
John Linda, United Church of Christ, Desert Palm, Tempe
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Deacon Glenda Blegen, ELCA Lutheran, All Saints Lutheran Church
Rev Joseph Keesecker, Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.)
Kathleen Rogers, Lutheran, First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mesa
Lita Johnson, Ecumenical, Trinity UMC
Ms. Randi Garfield, Jewish, Temple Solel
Rev. Dr. Kristin Hansen, Christian, Desert Foothills United Methodist Church
Ms. Deb Browning, United Methodist, Stephen Ministry, Desert Foothills United Methodist Church
Mrs. Meri Coash, Christian, Living Streams
Dr. Leah Sarat, UCC, Phoenix First Congregational United Church of Christ
Sarah Schmutz, Jewish
Rev. Jane Baker, United Methodist, Dayspring UMC
Bishop Eduardo Nevares, Roman Catholic, Diocese of Phoenix
Edward Casper, Buddhism, SGI-USA
Paul Gryniewicz, ELCA, Desert Cross Lutheran Church
Imam Didmar Faja, Islam, United Islamic Center of Arizona
The Reverend Kenneth Page, Presbyterian, Orangewood Presbyterian Church
Heidi Richmond, Unitarian Universalist , Valley Unitarian Universalist
Reverend Kathleen Baughman, Unitarian Universalist, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix
Chaplain Don Burgess, Lutheran, La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church
Rev. Eric Lederman, , University Presbyterian Church, Tempe, AZ
Vice-President Sharon Kopina, Unitarian Universalist, People Demanding Action-AZ PDactionAz.org
Rudy Armijo-Pack, Ecumenical Catholic, Guardian Angels Catholic Community
Rev. Rebekah Krevens, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Foothills Christian Church
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Senior Pastor Daniel Megorden, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Desert Cross Lutheran Church, Tempe & Gilbert
Reverend Jan Trulock, Christian, Disciples of Christ
Rachel Cushman, Christian , United Methodist Church
Dr. Uzma Jafri, Islam, West Valley Islamic Center
Robin Roach, Non-denominational Christian, CCV
Richard and Susan Smith, Lutheran, Ressurection Lutheran Church
Mr Sean Haas, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Mr. Gary Erickson, Unitarian Universalist, Valley U U
Reverend Lara Forbes, ELCA Lutheran, Faith Lutheran Church
Mrs. Eileen Garces, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Pastor Sarah Stadler, Lutheran, Grace Lutheran Church
Rev Renee Geiger, Lutheran, AZ Faith Network
Rev. Jose' Olagues, , Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Scott Fischer, Christian, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
Nancy Anderson, UUU, VUU
Mrs. Patricia Riemer, United Church of Christ, Desert Palm United Church of Christ
Linda Dunkleberger , Catholic
Mrs. Carolyn Bame, Christian, United Methodist Church
Ms. Lauren Michaud, Pagan, SunDABT
Rev. James Pennington, United Church of Christ, First Congregational United Church of Christ – Phoenix
Senior Pastor Jack Marslender, Christian, Baptist, First Southern Baptist Church of Avondale
Ms. Melinda Iyer, Unitarian Universalist, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix
Sister Elizabeth Christensen, Roman Catholic, Most Holy Trinity Parish
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Lucia Kisiel, Catholic
Co Clerk Tom Haines, Quaker, Phoenix Quaker Meeting
Rev Donna Buckles, Christian, Palmcroft Baptist Church
Ms Karen Johnson, Protestant, All Saints Lutheran Church
Karen Stucke, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist
Anne Schneider, Unitarian universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Ms. Anita Mosesman, Universalist., Valley Uniitarian Unitversalist
Director Latif Ahmed, Muslim, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Ms. Selena Keesecker, Presbyterian Church (USA), Guadalupe Iglesia Presbiteriana, Guadalupe, AZ
Ms. Rivko Knox, Jewish, Ruach Hamidbar
Rev. Al Whaley, Mennonite, First Mennonite Church of Phoenix
Rev. Doug Bland, Christian, Community Christian Church
Jayne Burgess, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Ms Katherine Wright, Catholic Communion, Guardian Angels Catholic Community
Rev Jayne Baker, Lutheran, Ascension Lutheran Church
Lee Stadler, Lutheran-ELCA, Spirit of Hope
Dr Gay Samuelson, Catholic, St Teresa of Avila
Brian Moore, Religious Science, Center for Spiritual Living
Most Rev. Gerald Kicanas, Catholic , Bishop Diocese of Tucson
Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata, United Methodist, Desert Southwest Conference
Rev. Judith Wellington, Christian, Presbyterian Church, USA
Rev. Katie Sexton, Christian (Disciples of Christ), Coolwater Christian Church
Sandra Weir, Unitarian Universalist, UU Congregation of Phoenix
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Ms Doris Elaine Pope, Christian , Episcopal Church of the Epiphany – Tempe
Dr. Julie Voller, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist
Gail Bird, Protestant, United Church of Christ
Pastor Kega Nasios, Protestant, Disciples of Christ
Ms. Erika Stueber, Spiritual
Reverend Al Beasley, Christian, Disciples of Christ
Penelope Schuman, Humaninst, Unitarian Universalist Yuma
Ms. Eve Rosenberg, Jewish, Friends Southwest Center
Hira Ismail, Islam
Rev. Brian Kemp-Schlemmer, United Methodist, City Square Church
Ms. Erika Martinez, Catholic
William Klever, Lutheran
The Rev. CL Meier, Lutheran (ELCA)
Kimberly Janesky , prespertarion , Tempe Community Christian
Linda Nelson, Christian
Deaconess Judi Tyler, Lutheran , Faith Lutheran
Ms. Cassandra Sampson, Christian, Red Mountain United Methodist Church
Mrs. Carol Fullmer , Ecumenical Catholic Community , St. Clare ECC Spokane WA
Ms. Karen McLaughlin, Lutheran (ELCA), All Saints Lutheran
Mary Minctons
Melissa Bush, Unitarian Universalist , Valley UU Congregation
Lauree Perry, Unitarian Universalist , Valley UU Congregation
Tolga Ozel, Muslim
Gerrit and Judy Steenblik, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
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Jennifer Johnson
Annamarie Duke
Sumaiyya Zebri, Islam , Islamic Center of Tucson
Imam Moataz Moftah, Muslim , Islamic Center of North East Valley
Lay Leader Jo Vredenburg, Protestant, Desert Palm United Church of Christ
Ms Lisa Terry, Unitarian, VUU
Robin Roach, Non-denominational Christian, CCV
Mrs Linda Rosenthal, Jewish, Congregation Beth Israel
Emily Saeteurn, Christian, Foothills Christian Church
Mrs. Olga Strickland, Greek Orthodox, St. Katherine, Chandler, AZ
Carol Lee Smith, Christian, Desert Palm UCC
Mrs. Avi Copelan, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Rock Fremont , United Church of Christ , Central United Methodist Church
Mr. William Albert, Christian, Desert Palm United Church of Christ
Ms Marge Thornton, Christian Science, CS church Tempe
Catherine May, Presbyterian
Lynn Hoffman, Presbyterian
Judy Moor, Christian, Unitarian Universalist
Ms Mildred Starrett, Unaffiliated
Rev. David Sanfilippo, Roman Catholic, Diocese of Phoenix
Rev. James Sterling, Christian, Community Christian Church, Tempe, AZ
Mr. Michael McCall, Christian, UCC
Janet Maxwell, Protestant, UCC
Ms Ann Connolly, Catholic, Guardian Angels Catholic Community
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Mrs Debra Grande, Unitarian Universalist, VUU
Miss Madeline Dolgin, Jewish, Hillel Jewish Student Center at ASU
Penny Buckingham, Atheist , 2002
Lisa Sommer, Christian , Community Christian Church
President Sandor Lubisch, Jewish, AVIV of Arizona
Rebecca Lopez-Camou, Catholic , La Casa
Pastor Emeritus, Church of the Beatitudes, United Church of Christ Mable Dosia Carlson, United Church of Christ, Church of the Beatitudes, United Church of Christ
Mrs Audrey Penner, Protestant , Desert Palm UCC
Ms Margaret Stewart, Unitarian Univesalist, Valley UU Congregation, Chandler, AZ
Jessica Roberson
United Religions Initiative, Environmental Network Coordinator Katherine Hreib, Buddhist
Mr Joseph Miller, Protestant, Orangewood Presbyterian
Mrs. Barbara Sherman, Mormon Associate Pastor David Tomb, American Baptist, Bellevue Heights Church
Ms Phebe Packer, Presbyterian, Orangewood Presbyterian Church
Kay Bordwell, Quaker, Flagstaff Friends Meeting
Director of Music and Liturgy Ann Weiss, Roman Catholic
Paula McKey, Becky and Steve Klein, Christian, Desert Palm United Church of Christ
Christine Pauken, Ecumenical Catholic, Guardian Angels
Dr. Keith Wetzel, Protestant, Member of Orangewood Presbyterian Church
Rev Joseph Keesecker, Christian (Presbyterian), Guadalupe Presbyterian Church
Char Hoffman, Catholic Christian, Franciscan Renewal Center
Kathleen LeMoine, Catholic , Franciscan Renewal Center
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President Azra Hussain, Muslim, Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona
Patricia Brandt, Protestant, Desert Palm UCC
Nancy Martin , Christian, University Presbyterian Church
Dr. Gary Kirkilas, Catholic , St.Joan of Arc
Rev. Eric Ledermann, Christian, Presbyterian, University Presbyterian Church
Mr and Mrs Gary and Anne Yarwood , Roman Catholic, Franciscan Renewal Center
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