Inappropriate Seder

You featured a young family enjoying an Ice Cream Seder (Jan./Feb.). I am alarmed that any United Methodist Church would take what is a sacred rite of another faith and turn it into a social function. Appropriating practices of other faith traditions in such a superficial way is not the way to educate people about these faiths and to promote tolerance and acceptance! Nor should it ever be used as an evangelistic tool. If people want to learn more about the practices of other faith traditions, let them ask to be invited to an actual Jewish Seder.

The Rev. Nancy Hale, associate pastor, Broad Street United Methodist Church, Norwich, N.Y. 13815

Text brings talk

We wrote out (The Lord's Prayer in) text language (Jan./Feb.) on newsprint and displayed it during worship then hung it in the social hall during refreshment hour. Many folks stood in front of newsprint with young people and chatted about the language. Thank you for showing that ancient language can be modern, too.

Merry Watters, Church of the Covenant United Methodist Church, Averill Park, N.Y.

Moving stories

"Haiti-Resurrecting Hope" (March/April) was excellent, timely, informative and inspiring. Our church members can see Haiti's rebuilding efforts and changed lives through the moving photographs and articles.

The Rev. Jennifer Jue, Napoleon (Mich.) United Methodist Church