Yesterday Pastor Daniel Meeter, of Old First Reformed Church, told me about this inter-faith anti-Iraq war event. He was there and he said it was incredible. Clergy from churches all over Brooklyn, including Meeter and Rabbi Bachman from Park Slope’s Congregation Beth Elohim joined in talk and prayer against this war.  Here’s the coverage from New York 1:

It was billed as the first interfaith anti-Iraq war prayer rally in
Brooklyn. At an altar decorated with an image of Jesus, Rabbi Alan
Andy Bachman spoke to activists who were Jews, Baptists, Catholics and
Muslims among other faiths. Imam Farrakhan did the same, as did Father
Anthony Ozele at Brown Memorial Baptist Church Wednesday night.

"So, our friends, our purpose tonight is not only to identify the
wrong that has been done in Iraq but also to identify the wrong that
has been done in America,” said Reverend Clinton Miller, of Brown
Memorial Baptist Church. “And more specifically, in the place that we
now call Brooklyn."

One by one, the names of the 14 Brooklynites killed in Iraq were read aloud. 

"This war must end so that we may be filled with righteousness,"
said the reverend of The Church of the Open Door, Mark Taylor.

The religious leaders criticized the policies of the Bush administration.

"One has to wonder if we will continue as a nation to engage in
this schoolyard bully type of diplomacy,” added Reverend Karim Camara,
of the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights. “Or, can we show the
world that strength can also be displayed in sitting down at the table
with those you disagree with."

Religious leaders here charge funding for the war has taken away
from domestic programs like housing and education. And they say this
event is just the first in a borough-wide campaign.

“It is the task of religious communities to keep calling America to
its ideals,” said Reverend Daniel Meeter from the Old First Reformed
Church. “It is political ideals, its idealistic vision of human rights,
its civil rights, its vision of welcoming immigrants, and the poor and
the lowly of the earth, its vision of justice and equality.”

A collection of money was taken at the service with proceeds going to  www.anysoldier.com,
which provides care packages for those in the military, and to Black
Veterans for Social Justice, a local group which helps provide benefits
and other services for those who have fought for America.