"When the 6:00 o'clock news comes on your radio or TV, you seldom hear much about people who are committed to love, justice and wholeness, in a world seemingly filled with violence, terrorism, hatred and divisions.  It is important to take notice, once in a while, of the significant efforts, achievements and commitment of groups of people in our country which are dedicated to unity, non-violence, justice and love in such a divided world.  There is such a group, right here in Dutchess County."

In the past week we witnessed faithful, spiritual and civil members of our society gunned down in public, several deeply engaged in their faith communities, others literally in a house of worship.  We have learned the moving details of their lives and those of their loved ones, people who spent years in service to their country and communities, others seeking a fresh beginning on their American journey.  It continues to be argued whether this stem of violence is an outlier to who we are or, more disturbingly, represents what we are readily becoming.  Complacency has no place in such times.  If such mobilized hate becomes standard and routine, it is an abyss we may not escape, and that would be a stain on our collective conscience.  Thus, as unified practitioners of peace, let us proclaim today, in every house of worship across each faith tradition, we call for a stop here and now, to every source of systemic and demonstrated hate.  

The interfaith voice shall be bellowed now as it was decades ago.  

"One of the concerns of the Council is that human equality, dignity and justice be accorded all members of the human family."