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Where in the WORLD is the UCC? |
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This month the UCC is in exotic Turkey. Turkey’s Christian population constitutes less than one percent of the country’s population. Through the American Board, Global Ministries personnel are active in ecumenical and Christian-Muslim relations in this largely secular country. Our principal partner is the Health and Education Foundation (SEV), which manages and supports three schools and a hospital historically related to the United Church of Christ. One of the local church’s ecumenical projects is the Istanbul Interparish Migrants’ Program, which grew out of the influx of refugees following the Gulf War.
Ken and Betty Frank are educational missionaries based in Istanbul, Turkey and have served there since 1982. They work with the American Board school graduates in maintaining the American Board schools and hospital in Turkey. They visit the schools and hospital and participate in board meetings of trustees and directors. As a professional librarian, Betty consults with the library staff at the schools.
The Franks presence in Turkey is important in promoting Muslim-Christian dialogue, refugee/migrant work, and ecumenical relations. Ken completed a book project co-authored with a Muslim friend, Adil Ozdemir. Titled “Visible Islam in Modern Turkey”, the book, Ken said, is “a unique product of our Christian-Muslim dialogue as authors.” He sees the project as “carrying out the Common Global Ministry Board’s principle on interfaith relations paving a way for mutual understanding, respect and relationships”.
The Franks write that the following suggestion emerged from a conference held at the Yale Divinity School:
There should be “a week every year where Muslims and Christian religious figures are urged to emphasize the good in the other tradition.”
The Franks comment that this may sound simple but it is hard to do! It is also the essence of interreligious dialogue. They challenge our congregation to make this dialogue a top priority.
Board of Community and World Concerns
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