Frank Rycyk
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
I would like to thank the News Tribune for their interfaith coverage in recent weeks.
"Amish share meal with refugees, bridging gap between cultures."
Rose Lineberry drafted a well-constructed letter discussing various holiday greetings.
The governor participated in a Hanukkah celebration at the Governor's Mansion. There were participants from all over the state. The News Tribune covered this event plus one at the local Temple Beth El.
Our newspaper also covered a New Year's service at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Leaders from Quinn Chapel A.M.E. and the Buddhist church participated.
I hope that I will be forgiven if I left somebody out.
Most of us have been brought up in various religious traditions. Our beliefs are often quite strong.
Interfaith outreach can be approached on a number of different levels. People to people can be a good start. By associating with people from different backgrounds, we can learn to see them as fellow human beings.
Interacting on the level of belief can be more difficult. Other ideas may seem strange. It is just possible, however, that we might learn to see similarities in certain aspects of differing religions.
Beyond this, we may be able to learn to see bits of wisdom here and there.
I commend the News Tribune, again, for their interfaith coverage. We can all learn from each other.
Happy New Year! And many more.