UCC embraces Muslim community

To the editor:

We are leaders in the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ, a community of 168 individual UCC churches across the state of Iowa and connected to the more than 5,100 UCC churches and 1.1 million members across the nation.

As Christians of deep faith, we share with you our commitment to embrace our Muslim brothers and sisters with our witness of prayer and action. We deplore the disrespect and violation experienced by the Muslim community in these days poisoned by fear and hate that manifest the darkest side of humanity.

The United Church of Christ has a long and proud heritage of loving our neighbors, welcoming the stranger, and standing together with those of other faiths and no faith in the pursuit of justice for all.

We stand alongside our fellow Iowans of moral integrity and responsible citizenship in dismay over recent displays of hatred and bigotry and in great hope for love and friendship to reign.

The staff of the Iowa Conference-United Church of Christ

Rev. Rich Pleva, Conference Minister

Rev. Brigit Stevens

Rev. Samantha Houser

Rev. Laura Arnold

Rev. Jonna Jensen

Rev. Katherine Mulhern

Des Moines