The following statement from President W. Grant McMurray was shared by
Kathy in Afghanistan:
It is an honor - and a great responsibility - for the Community of Christ
to participate in Global Exchange’s interfaith delegation to Afghanistan.
As a church, one of our long-held foundational beliefs is that of working in
the forefront of movements and organizations recognizing the worth of
persons. At this time in human history, there is perhaps no place where we
could more fully express that conviction than on the ground in Kabul.
We come to Kabul in the spirit of reconciliation - to extend a hand of
peace and aid, and to begin the process of rebuilding the infrastructure of
this devastated country. We come to establish local contacts, meeting with
local organizations, religious leaders, and others who are working to
rebuild Kabul. We come to befriend the people of Afghanistan, and to develop
individual contacts and friendships that will be mutually beneficial. We
come to develop an understanding of the rich heritage and culture of the
Afghan people, and to use that understanding to educate our children,
communities, and church families so that they will work with us to aid in
the rebuilding of this great country.
Sowing the seeds of peace begins a process that can result in profound
changes for not only the Afghan people, but for people of all religions and
cultural backgrounds. This delegation - made up of 15 individuals of
differing religious backgrounds, beliefs, and expectations - can, through
God’s spirit, transcend our differences in order to show the world how to
connect at the most basic human level. If we are successful, we can address
the suffering of victims of war fought in the name of religion, those
victimized by circumstances beyond their control.
The Community of Christ believes that in being faithful to the divine
presence, however that entity is interpreted, we will be blessed with a
spirit of adventure, openness, and searching. We believe that all who are
faithful to that spirit will be a joyful people, blessed with laughter,
playfulness and song, embodying the hope and freedom that comes from the One
who created us all.
May those who come as delegates leave here profoundly changed - our minds
open, our hearts full, and our spirits willing to take a message of hope
back to our communities. To do so is to take a first step toward building a
foundation of peace, understanding, and love. It is to take a first step
toward changing the world. May the God of each of us and all of us bless us
to that end is my prayer.
