For Stevens Point News

Wisconsin Council of Churches offers signs throughout the state to encourage interfaith relationship

SUN PRAIRIE/STEVENS POINT — The Wisconsin Council of Churches has launched a Blessed Ramadan initiative, encouraging Wisconsinites to extend a sign of solidarity and respect to their Muslim neighbors during the month of Ramadan, a time of fasting and religious reflection which lasts from May 15 to June 14 this year.

Signs reading “To our Muslim Neighbors: Blessed Ramadan” may be ordered through the Council’s website at wichurches.org. The recommended donation is $21. Pickup locations have been set up across the state.

Taking part, locally, is Stevens Point’s Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1300 Main St., 715-341-3040.

Those participating in the campaign are also invited to take pictures of their signs and post on social media using the hashtag #BlessedRamadan.

When asked about her choice to participate, the Rev. Dr. Susan Zencka of Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church said,

“As people of faith, we live in a multi-cultural, interreligious world, as did Jesus. He told us to love our neighbors, and he knew that often our neighbors worship differently than we might. He used the parable of the Good Samaritan to teach about loving neighbors, and Samaritans and Jews worshipped differently than one another. I see Jesus providing an example to us of respecting and loving our interfaith neighbors. I hope many will choose to display these signs.”