In this edition of Sanctuary I produced for Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries, we meet the Alkhoury family, and take a closer look at growing evidence of widespread persecution of religious minorities, as well as efforts by faith communities here in Chicago, the United States government, and the United Nations to find ways to support and protect some of the worlds most vulnerable people.

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The US Pakistani Interreligious Consortium (UPIC) Retrospective -2017 was created for the Intersections 10th Anniversary Intersections International Gala. The video covers four trips I made to Pakistan with Intersections between 2013 and 2017. Writer/Editor: Kierra Parlagreco; Camera/Sound: Tim Frakes; Voice Over: Kat Harrington; Sound Mix and Design: Kelly E. Harnett; Music: VideoHelper

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Here is a piece I produced in Pakistan in March 2017 for Intersections International. Intersections led a group of more than 30 delegates from 12 countries to Pakistan (Lahore and Islamabad) as part of the ongoing US-Pakistan Interreligious Consortium (UPIC) program. UPIC brings religious and academic scholars from the US and Pakistan together to foster mutual respect and shared goals for the future.s

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Friday, December 2, 2016, I recorded Illinois Senator Richard (Dick) Durbin at the Chicago Leadership Prayer Breakfast.

The program airs twice. December 18 and December 25 at noon on ABC-7.2 Live Well Channel.
In his remarks, Durbin challenged assembled Chicago business and religious leaders to remember “…the 40,000 people who awakened this morning in our state of Illinois in fear. 40,000 dreamers. Forty thousand young people protected by President Obama’s order. They are undocumented. They are in America. They know no other county. They were brought here as children. and they are asking for a chance to be a part of our future. 40,000 in Illinois, 740,000 nation wide. It will take prayers and good work to make their dreams a reality. Let’s remember them in our prayers this morning.”

Be sure to watch the next Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries, Sanctuary now on the ABC Live Well Network. Greater Chicago Broadcast has partnered with the Chicago Sunday Evening Club to present their annual Chicago Leadership Prayer Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Cardinal Blase Cupich.
The program airs twice. December 18 and December 25 at noon on ABC-7.2 Live Well Channel.
In Chicago, the Live Well Network is on the following channels:
Over the air: 7.2, 7.3
Charter: 608, 968
Comcast: IL- 193, 217, 244, 345; IN- 217, 345
Kraus Cable TV Systems: 45
Mediacom LLC.: 102, 723
RCN: 618
TV Cable of Rensselaer/Morocco (IN): 7
WOW!: 101, 219

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Here is a Tongan Hymn performed by artist Aisea Taimani. The song is about forgiveness. I recorded this hymn at Living Waters Ministries near New Era, Michigan. It’s part of a documentary for Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries which will air in September on ABC7 Chicago.

For more than 20 years, a Chicago-based group of African American men and women have run an Africentric outdoor ministry program for inner city youth know as SIMBA (Safe in My Brother’s Arms). As a result, hundreds of at-risk children experience the beauty of the outdoors each summer, while also being immersed in a structured, loving community filled with positive role models and supportive affirmation.

Originally targeting young African American males, SIMBA soon gave rise to SIMSA, (Safe in My Sisters Arms). Eventually, SIMBA and SIMSA gave rise to Rescue, Release, and Restore, an organization dedicated to transforming self worth and empowering youth through leadership training, artistic expression and mentorship.

In addition, a new worshiping community, Shekinah Chapel on Chicago’s south side was born and continues today as a thriving congregation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

This summer, the organization branched out even further, launching a new initiative, MYLA, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Academy. MYLA offers young men and women a safe space where they are developed and refined as leaders for a multicultural world.

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Isak Abu Sbieh is a Palestinian dialysis patient at the Lutheran World Federation‘s Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) in East Jerusalem. Abu Sbieh lives in Kafr Aqb, an Arab village just beyond the Kalandia checkpoint north of Jerusalem. Three times a week Abu Sbieh must pass back and forth through the Kalandia checkpoint on his way to AVH for dialysis.

Kalandia is the main checkpoint between the northern West Bank and Jerusalem. The checkpoint is used by the Israeli military to control Palestinian access to East Jerusalem and Israel. Israel requires Palestinians to have permits to pass through the checkpoint to East Jerusalem and Israel for their work, medical care, education or for religious reasons. Kalandia is only 8 miles from Augusta Victoria Hospital, but the checkpoint process often takes 2-3 hours each way. Without dialysis, Abu Sbieh would perish.

Augusta Victoria Hospital AVH is the first and only hospital to provide radiation therapy for cancer patients in the Palestinian territories and is the only medical facility in the West Bank offering pediatric kidney dialysis.

The Rev. Eric C. Shafer and I recorded this story in February, 2016.

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Rabbi Firestone is traveling with Intersections International and the The US-Pakistan Interreligious Consortium (UPIC), a nonpartisan interreligious alliance consisting of religious, academic and community leaders from over fifty Pakistani and American civil society organizations. Our goal this year is to deepen relationships built during previous visits.

I’m really proud to be part of this team, swimming up stream!

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Today the world learned that Taliban gunman stormed a military-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan and massacred 141 people, nearly all children. My heart goes out to the vast majority of peace loving Pakistani’s and especially the families of children and staff who lost their lives.

This spring I visited a Sufi Shrine, the Mausoleum of Meher Ali Shah in Golra Sharif, Pakistan with Intersections International. This community opened their doors, welcomed us, fed us lunch and invited us to witness their worship. It is a lovely memory and how I choose to think of Pakistan.

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Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech this week recalls a courageous woman I interviewed in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2013 with Intersections International. Mossarate Qadeem is Executive Director of the PAIMAN Alumni Trust. She works with mothers and their son’s who are targets of extremist groups.
This is her story.

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The AVH is an important pillar in the Palestinian health system and is widely acknowledged in governmental and church circles for its excellent treatment and care. The hospital recently sent voluntary medical teams to Gaza to help treat the injured in the conflict

Join us for stories of hope, faith and courage.
– George Abu Saadah is alive through kidney dialysis.
– A mobile diabetes clinic takes healthcare into villages.
– A world-class soccer field brings joy to children.
– Red Nose Clown Doctors lift the spirits of children receiving life-saving cancer and kidney treatment.
– Vocational Training in East Jerusalem and Ramallah prepares Palestinian youth for meaningful jobs.

For more information, check out this blog post from the Lutheran World Federation.

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