From July 8th to August 1st, AR Programs Director and Rising Tide International Interreligious Dialogue Lecturer Abed Manasra traveled up and down the US East Coast offering 13 programs from Virginia to Maine. The goal was to meet new people, allies, organizations, congregations, and spread the word about Abrahamic Reunion’s work, and everywhere Abed and the AR were met with open arms, willing dialogues, and meaningful conversations.
Georgia
Longtime Abrahamic Reunion supporter Jim Burton hosted Abed and his family en route up the East Coast for a lovely conversation and dinner outside Atlanta.
Washington DC
Abed met with and was hosted by AR Supporter Claire Fuller MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, CSW, who is a specialist in PTSD counseling from conflict. Claire is consulting on the Abrahamic Reunion’s Young Peacemakers Training in the trauma-awareness curriculum and presentations.
20 years ago, Abed visited Washington DC — here he is then and now at the Washington Monument!
Middletown, CT
Saturday, July 11th
Abed’s Peace Concert on the front lawn of Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity downtown on Main Street was warmly received by a multi-faith audience of Muslims, Christians, and Jews — Abed performed four Arabic and Sufi traditional compositions on Oud, while interspersing stories about peace, his background as a peacemaker, and the work of the Abrahamic Reunion.
Sunday, July 12th – Ecumenical Worship Service at South Church
South Church of Middletown featured three Reverends and Abed in conversation during their ecumenical worship service — Rev. Will Tanner (First Church Middletown UCC), Dr. Mary Barnett (Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity), and Rev. Dr. Kristen Provost Schwitzer (South Church UCC of Middletown).
Sunday, July 12th — “How to Disagree” at South Church
After the service, Abed, Revs. Will, Mary, and Kristen, and about 30 participants sat down for what was supposed to be a 45 minute dialogue on “How to Disagree,” a program showcasing the AR’s dialogue methods that don’t erase difference or identity, but help people learn to embrace it through encounter, connection, understanding, and empathy. The program went well over 90 minutes!
Lansdale, PA (outside Philadelphia)
Salem, MA
Portland, Maine
Durham, NH
Charlottesville, VA