Cameron Park Muslim Fellowship - The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California

by the Rev. Tom Johnson, Associate Rector, Faith Episcopal Church, Cameron Park

Faith Episcopal Church Hosts Fellowship Dinner with Muslim Community of Folsom

Amid a raging national controversy, a local group of Muslims and Christians expressed their interfaith solidarity in a potluck dinner and fellowship Saturday night (July 30) at Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park. Members of the Muslim Community of Folsom provided the entrees while members of Faith Episcopal Church brought side dishes and desserts.

“I’ve always wanted to see the inside of a Christian church,” exclaimed a Muslim woman as about two dozen members of the Muslim Community gathered around the altar while The Rev. Andrea Baker answered questions about the Episcopal liturgy, tradition and history. Seated in groups of seven or eight at round tables during dinner, members of each group intermingled and carried on animated conversations, openly asking each other questions about the others faith and practice.

The Rev. Tom Johnson spoke about St. Francis’ journey to meet the Sultan of Egypt, while Brother Tamer Ahmed shared about how Mohammad reached out to everyone regardless of ethnicity or faith.

Already, the two congregations have cooperated in helping to settle Syrian refugees in the Sacramento area. The two groups hope that this gathering of leaders and spouses from each community will help that effort to grow along with other mutual outreach projects and fellowship opportunities.