EARTHKEEPING NEWS
A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY

Volume Eight, Number Three
March/April 1999

URI — A NEW INTERFAITH VEHICLE FOR CARE OF THE PLANET

The United Religions Initiative (URI) was begun in 1995 by The Right Rev. William Swing, Episcopal Bishop of California, to create a safe space for spiritual partnerships in which the people of the world can pursue justice, healing and peace, with reverence for all life. Since June 1995 thousands of people from over 50 countries, and nearly as many faith traditions, have been sharing their vision and taking initiatives to create a powerful force for global good, rooted in common spiritual values. Countless gatherings all over the world, six regional conferences (Oxford, Buenos Aires, New York City, Johannesburg, Caracas, and Nairobi) and three global summits in San Francisco have been held.

In June 1998, over 200 people from five continents, 38 countries, 32 faith traditions and 14 indigenous communities gathered at Stanford University for Global Summit III to draft a charter for the new United Religions — an organization which will be inclusive, non-hierarchical, networked, decentralized, and self-sustaining.

The Preamble begins, "We, people of many faiths, called by our traditions to compassion in response to the suffering of humanity and the crises which endanger our Earth community, wish to create a permanent forum where we gather in mutual respect, dialogue and cooperative action to foster peace and the flourishing of all life."

The UR Agenda for Action includes the areas of:

  • Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals and Religious Institutions
  • Sustainable, Just Economics
  • Ecological Imperatives
  • Nurturing a Culture of Healing and Peace
  • Sharing the Wisdom and Cultures of Faith Traditions

A central office will act as a clearinghouse to assist all parts of the URI, provide access to information, support grassroots efforts, and ensure global distribution of financial and other resources.

The United Religions Initiative is inviting leaders of all religions, all spiritual communities, and all people of faith to join in solidarity for 72 Hours of Interfaith Peace Building, December 31, AD 1999 to January 2, AD 2000, as a time for peace vigils, intercessory prayer, cooperative local actions, and advocacy.

For more information write The Rev. Charles P. Gibbs, URI Executive Director, PO Box 29242, San Francisco CA 94129; 415/ 561-2300; Fax 415/ 561-2313; office@united-religions.org; www.united-religions.org.

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