Christian, Jewish and Islamic leaders will congregate under one roof on Friday to discuss a common cause: peace.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Episcopalians from St. Mark's on the Campus Church will attend the event.
The Tri-Faith Initiative, a collaboration among the three "Abrahamic faith groups" is hosting Dinner in Abraham's Tent at the Qwest Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St., at 7 p.m Friday.
"I think it's the coolest thing we've done in ages," said Christine Grosh, deacon of St. Mark's Episcopalian Church. "We've got to widen the tent."
Michael Olsen, a UNL civil engineering major, thinks it's important for young people to be involved in the church and its evolving relationship with other religions.
"I always thought that killing in the name of God was wrong when I learned about it in history classes," Olsen said. "That's why I want to check this out."
There will be an inter-faith prayer at 5:30 p.m., with "political correctness" of little priority. There will be a full Shabbat service by Temple Israel, an Episcopal Evening Prayer service with Bishop Joe Burnett of the Diocese of Nebraska, and Salat al Asr, the Muslim afternoon prayer service.
"Everyone will get to see how everyone else prays, follow along with the words in Hebrew, English and Arabic and participate in the unison prayers as they feel comfortable to do so," said Nancy Kirk, executive director of the Tri-Faith Initiative.
The service will be followed by a dinner and commence with a moderated discussion of the prospects of peace among the three religions.
Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church; Rabbi Peter Knobel, president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis; and Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America, are the religious representatives for the dialogue.
"We expect (the conversation) to be wide-ranging, not just peace as in absence of conflict, but also peace as a concept, peace as a process, as a way of living," Kirk said. "We're talking about peace not just in the world, but in communities, congregations and families."
The format will closely resemble that of a talk show, but none of the participants will receive the questions in advance.
The event Friday is only a snippet of the larger Tri-Faith picture, with peaceful coexistence among religions the main goal.
The Tri-Faith Initiative has plans to build a joint campus in West Omaha that will include a mosque, a temple and a church, as well as an interfaith facility.
"We're not trying to create a new religion. We're trying to honor each separate faith as a mature religion that serves its community," Kirk said. "But we do have a common heritage and a lot of commonalities that we want to build on in terms of acting together for social justice, serving our communities and providing inter-faith education."
Bob Freeman, board chairman of the Tri-Faith Initiative, thinks the dinner offers hope in a time of serious conflict.
"Though the conflict in Gaza tends to divide religious groups, this dinner offers hope that religions can still look for – and find – common ground," Freeman said. "Such efforts are even more important in times when some stop talking and mistrust deepens.
"Our collaboration … is establishing personal relationships, understanding and respect for how others relate to the same God."
The "Conversation on Peace" will be Webcast live Friday night at 8 p.m.
To log on to the free Web cast go to trifaith.org and click on the link for the live net-cast.
For tickets, visit the Web site or call 402-934-2955. Tickets are limited; the price is $50 per person or $35 for students.
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