USA HOLDS THE FIRST FESTIVAL OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN ITS MAINLAND

On November 8, Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted a Festival of Religious Freedom, the first of its kind in the continental United States.   Sponsored by the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), the event was geared as a celebration of religious freedom, and was highlighted by a special concert by the New England Youth Ensemble and the Columbia Union College Collegiate Choir.

As Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association, Spencerville church member Dr. John Graz has organized similar festivals in Africa, South America and Asia. The function of these events is to promote religious freedom for all, and to give thanks to those who gave us religious freedom and suffered for it; to the government and to our leaders who preserve our religious freedom; and to God who gave us the freedom to choose.

“In a time when an important portion of the world population is living in 40 countries where religious persecution and discrimination are a fact, the time has come for all citizens who care about religious freedom and live in countries where this fundamental freedom is protected, to say publicly: Thank you!” said Graz.

Because of the vast diversity of faith groups located on New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring, the Spencerville church was the ideal location to welcome this event stateside. The musical presentations woven throughout the event were pieces specifically chosen by New England Youth Ensemble director Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse for their celebration of religious freedom, and they perfectly encapsulated the air of celebration.

Dr. Graz and Dr. Bert B. Beach, another Spencerville member and longtime religious liberty advocate for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, spoke to the current state of religious liberty in the United States and highlighted areas of concern around the globe. Special guests honored at the event were Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Maryland’s 4th Congressional District representative, and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. Both were complimentary of Spencerville’s focus of religious freedom and echoed their pride and thankfulness for the religious freedom and diversity enjoyed by the community they represent.

Said Jerry Lutz, senior pastor of the Spencerville church: “It was thrilling to be a part of such a wonderful and historic event in which leaders and members of diverse faith communities could come together for a day and celebrate the religious freedom we enjoy in our country. It was a unique outreach experience that I hope can be reproduced in many more of our churches here in our own union and across the North American Division. I can't help but believe that someday we will be very thankful we held events like this one. The goodwill this has generated is immeasurable."

“Dr. John Graz has launched to the entire world the new concept of Festivals of Religious Freedom with the intent to cover all the continents with great celebrations during the years 2008-2010. The summit of all these events will be the First World Festival of Religious Freedom to be held in Lima, Peru, November 21, 2009. The main idea behind the festivals is to give thanks for religious freedom and to create a positive environment of freedom and peace,” says Alfredo Garcia-Marenko, Assistant to Graz for special projects.

By Melissa Reid, Associate Editor, Liberty Magazine
Photos by Mark Noble