Interfaith Clergy Association Raises Funds in Honor Father Jacques Hamel

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Ministerium - The Seacoast Interfaith Clergy Association sadly notes the passing of our colleague Father Jacques Hamel. Father Hamel was murdered on July 26, 2016, while celebrating morning Mass, when attackers stormed his church in Normandy, France. We may never have met Father Jacques Hamel, yet he was and still is as family. He dedicated his life to the very same calling that drives each of us. He was murdered doing what we do each and every day. He was a fellow shepherd. We mourn him as part of our family.

Father Hamel was dedicated to Interfaith understanding. Our Colleague Imam Mohamed Ibrahim, of the Dover mosque, informs us that “The Imam in that town was a friend of Father Hamel. The Mosque there had been built on a land donated by his Church. Imam Karabila was speechless; he was deeply hurt, and I feel the same way.”

Ministerium has initiated a local endeavor to perpetuate Father Hamel’s good works in our community. Friends Forever is a local organization that works towards peace by bringing together youth from areas of conflict, read more about them here friendsforeverusa.org/#!copy-of-about-us/c11g8. We have asked our colleagues to help sponsor a participant in this program. We do so as a tribute to the life and good works of Father Jacques Hamel.

A listing of participating clergy and congregations follows this article. The listing is not complete as several colleagues are waiting for their respective lay leaders to dedicate funds to this project. We invite the people of the Seacoast community to join us in this charitable endeavor. Perhaps the seacoast could sponsor an entire trip in memory of Father Jacques Hamel.

Please make your tax exempt donation check payable to Friends Forever and mail it to Ministerium C/O Temple Israel, 200 State St. in Portsmouth NH.

May the memory of Father Jacques Hamel inspire acts of love charity and kindness.

Clergy and congregations who have already contributed in memory of Father Jacques Hamel. Note: The listing is not complete as several colleagues are waiting for their respective lay leaders to dedicate funds to this project.

Reverend Michele Bagby Allan, United Church of Christ -North Hampton, Reverend Fr. Gary Belliveau
Corpus Christi Parish (RC) – Portsmouth, Reverend Robert Fellows, Community Congregational Church (UCC), Greenland, Reverend Arthur L. Hilson, New Hope Baptist Church – Portsmouth, Imam Mohamed Ibrahim, Islamic Society of the Seacoast Area – Dover, Carol Jacques-Dow - Pastoral Associate, Corpus Christi Parish (RC) – Portsmouth, Reverend Phil Johnson, Seventh Day Adventist Church – Portsmouth, Chaplain Elissa Kaplan Senter, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Reverend Rev Carolyn H Keilig, North Church (UCC) – Portsmouth, Reverend David 'Chip' Robinson, Christ Episcopal Church - Portsmouth, Trinity Episcopal Church – Hampton, Rabbi David Ross Senter, Temple Israel – Portsmouth, Reverend Robert E. Stevens, Jr., St. John's Episcopal Church – Portsmouth, Reverend Betsy Webber, First United Methodist Church – Portsmouth, Reverend Anne Williamson, St.John's Episcopal Church - Portsmouth.

Submitted by Rabbi David Ross Senter.