To Rabbi Talya Weisbard Shalem and the Agudas Achim congregation:
As your multi-faith friends and religious neighbors from throughout the greater Attleboro area, we are reaching out to express our shock and support in the wake of the hate-filled threats made against your faith community. Our hearts are with you as you heal from this horrific attack.
Attleboro is home to a variety of differing faith communities, which adds to the rich tapestry of our shared community life. Through the original Attleboro Area Council of Churches, now known as the Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative, this community has shared a long history of multi-faith inclusion and mutual support.
Discrimination and hate expressed against any one of our faith communities is discrimination and hate expressed against us all.
We invite everyone in our community to remember that nearly all faiths share some form of what is known as the “Golden Rule” — we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves; to treat other people as we ourselves wish to be treated. Love — mutual respect, kindness and caring — is and always will be stronger than hate.
It’s up to all of us to stand up to and say “no” to hate. Let this be a community steeped in mutual love, kindness and respect for one another, no matter our differing backgrounds or faiths.
We all have a part to play in making this community a great place in which to live, work and raise our respective families.
In love and faith:
Dr. Umer Akbar Islamic Center of Greater Attleboro
Rev. Carole L. Baker, retired Central Congregational Church, Attleboro Falls
Cheryl Brooks, president of the board First Church of Christ Scientist, Attleboro
Pastor Cal Carpenter Centenary United Methodist Church
Father Alex Chetsas Saint Gregory the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church,Mansfield
Rev. Chris Dodge Bethany Congregational Church, UCC, Foxboro
Rev. Rebecca W. Driscoll, pastor The First Baptist Church, Attleboro
Rev. Dr. John Fisk, pastor emeritus First Baptist Church, Attleboro
Rev. Cheryl Harris, retired Cheryl Harris and Associates Inc.
Rev. John Keogh, pastor Immanuel Lutheran Church, Attleboro
Rev. Kenneth C. Landin The Original Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Wrentham
The Lay-Led Congregation First United Methodist Church, North Attleboro
Rev. Kathy McAdams, priest-in-charge Grace Episcopal Church, North Attleboro
Rev. Helen Nablo, interim pastor Rehoboth Congregational Church, UCC
Rev. Craig A. Pregana, pastor St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Attleboro
Gretchen Robinson, retired community minister
Rev. Dr. Will Sencabaugh, pastor Second Congregational Church, UCC, Attleboro
Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaver, member Second Congregational Church UCC, Attleboro interim minister, Lakeville UCC North Congregational Church UCC, Middleboro
Mark Small, bishop emeritus, Foxboro Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Bishop William E. Stout Jr. Living Word of Life Ministries, Attleboro
Rev. Jean Southard, retired Presbytery of Boston
Marcia Szymanski, interim executive director Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative
Rev. Kelly Thibeault, pastor First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleboro
Rev. Stephen A. Trimble First Baptist Church, North Attleboro
Rev. Chris Wall, associate pastor Evangelical Covenant Church of Attleboro
Rev. Gretchen Weis, retired, minister emerita
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church of Attleboro
Rev. Robin Woods-Barrant, pastor John Wesley AME Zion Church, North Attleboro
Rev. F. Vernon Wright V Murray Unitarian Universalist Church of Attleboro
