Pastor John Cole

REV. JOHN H. COLE (bio below)

CONTACT INFO (516) 825-1182 Revjohncole@optonline.net

IN MY OPINION

“We must aim higher and do better than those who would denigrate and defame our Muslim neighbors.”

Thus wrote Rev. Jason Radmacher pastor of JOHN STREET CHURCH in lower Manhattan in his September news letter. This historic United Methodist Church is only a few blocks from “Ground Zero” and the proposed Mosque /community center at 51 Park Place. In response to the invitation to take part in the recent demonstration against the project, Rev. Radmacher made clear the constitutional basis for allowing free exercise of our religious beliefs. In addition, he added the following, “Perhaps most germane to the current debate, the Constitution also protects us from being held accountable for crimes that we did not commit, but were committed by those who claimed to share our beliefs.

· Not every Evangelical Christian supports blowing up abortion clinics.

· Not every Catholic priest molests children.

· Not every Muslim is a terrorist.”

I too am very concerned about the way this attempt by moderate community of faith to build a center for worship, community service, and dialogue is being used to stir up hate and misunderstanding. Jason ends his article (which can be found in its entirety on the Pastor’s page of our Web page: www.gracevsny.org) with this: “Our faith—and the freedom to worship we enjoy—should inspire us to elevate the quality of debate far above what we’ve witnessed this summer.” Thank you Rev. Radmacher for honestly and conscientiously dealing with this issue occurring in your and our community!

Here is the entire article:

Thoughts on a Summer of Discontent from THE VOICE OF JOHN STREET - THE NEWSLETTER OF JOHN STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH September 2010

Dear friends,

This spring when I learned of the plans to redevelop 51 Park Place into a mosque and community center, I didn’t give the news much thought. Living and working in Lower Manhattan I’m accustomed to the constant din of construction and the presence of an increasingly diverse array of businesses, not for profits, families, and individuals with ties to the area—including several religious organizations. After Community Board 1 approved

the project in May—approval that the redevelopers were not even required to seek—I received an email that told

me we were in for a very long summer.

This is the text of that email. I was curious to what the churches in your area are planning RE: The June 6, 2010 protest against the Mosque near Ground Zero. What can Christians from other states do to help with the protest...is there petitions of anything further than prayers we can do? To have this built is an outrage to the Families, and to

Christ. This is a Christian nation!

This was my response. I will not be protesting the new mosque and community center nor will I encourage members of my church to participate in the June 6 event. Muslims have long lived in, prayed for, had a mosque in, and-on

9/11 died in, this neighborhood, and while I am a Christian, I would no more want to see a Muslim group denied their rights to own property and practice their religion here than I would want to see those same rights denied my congregation.

As news of protests in Lower Manhattan—and at other locations across the country where Muslims have expressed a desire to build—have dominated headlines across the county this summer, the convictions I expressed in that email have only grown deeper. I believe that the First Amendment is the reason our country has such a rich religious landscape. The Constitution offers broad protections regarding property use, worship practices, and freedom of thought to members of the nation’s largest Christian cathedral, oldest Methodist church, and newest mosque, alike.

Perhaps most germane to the current debate, the Constitution also protects us from being held accountable for crimes that we did not commit, but were committed by those who claimed to share our beliefs.

Not every Evangelical Christian supports blowing up abortion clinics.

Not every Catholic priest molests children.

Not every Muslim is a terrorist.

One might think that these statements are undeniably self evident, but they are not. Peddlers of rumor, innuendo, and bigotry have seen to that. As disciples of Jesus Christ, though, we must resist the temptation to indulge these hucksters. We must aim higher and do better than those who would denigrate and defame our Muslim neighbors.

Our faith—and the freedom to worship we enjoy—should inspire us to elevate the quality of debate far above what

we’ve witnessed this summer.

Grace & Peace, Jason

Also from our Bishop:

Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they will be called children of God
(Matthew 5:9)

September 1, 2010

Dear United Methodists of the New York Annual Conference:

I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer, the Prince of shalom, Healer of our brokenness, and Hope of the world!

The controversy over constructing the 51 Park Islamic Community Center and mosque near the Ground Zero has generated a heated dispute. Understandably emotions run high as it touches the nerves of both the sacredness of the ground and one of our most fundamental national principles. Among the diverse voices expressed are those that reflect racism, religious discrimination, and hate: these must be rejected, for they cause harm and undermine the very foundation upon which this nation is built.

I resonate with the voices that express sensitivity toward the families and friends of the victims of 9/11 by questioning the appropriateness and wisdom of the choice of location of the building. I believe that some of these voices come out of a sincere desire to preserve the sanctity of the Ground Zero, to seek justice with regard to those who are responsible for the atrocity, and to build a bridge among the Muslims and the Islamic community with the larger community. Other voices have expressed fear and resentment and opinion that the diabolic extremists who brought death and destruction on 9/11 could claim the building as their trophy. Arguments can be made that granted the right intentions, building an Islamic center and mosque near the Ground Zero can have the opposite effects.

However, denying the fundamental right of a religious community, as long as it fulfills the same legal requirements applied to all other religious communities, by singling it out for the wrong reasons, compromises the integrity of who we are at our core. If allowed, a serious crack opens in the foundation of our nation. Once opened in one place, soon more will be opened in other places. It makes us less as Americans and weaker as a nation. America cannot afford it.

Based upon what is known at this time, I support the building of the 51 Park Islamic Community Center and mosque. Our hearts break over the sacrifice of the dead from 9/11 and the pains and sufferings of their loved ones and our country. However, to truly honor them, to truly preserve the historic significance of the Ground Zero, and to truly triumph over the evil force of 9/11, it is necessary to stand firm on what America believes in and be willing to pay whatever the price to protect and preserve freedom and equality for all. Our resolve to do it must grow stronger for such a time as this. It is my prayer that someday peoples of all religious communities and faith traditions will embrace the vision of liberty, peace and justice in reconciliation, harmony and mutual respect and it is incumbent upon us to do whatever we can today to hasten that day. I ask you to continue to pray that our conversation will be a positive force that reflects who we are as responsible citizens, as well as faithful Christians.

In Christ,

Bishop's Signature

Jeremiah J. Park

BIO

Since July 2003, Rev. John H. Cole has been senior pastor of Grace Methodist Church Valley Stream, an active multi-generational, multi-cultural family of faith serving the eastern south shore of Long Island. He is chair of the NY Annual Conference Parish Development Commission, continues to be active on the Board of Anchor House a drug treatment program in Brooklyn, is secretary of the District Board of Ministry, and -once again- serves on the BUMCH Board chairing the Human Resources Committee.

Before moving to Valley Stream UMC, he served as the Associate Executive Director for Christian Witness and Congregational Life of the United Methodist City Society. While there, he worked with many United Methodist congregations in the City of New York advising them on issues relating to building maintenance, capital improvement, loans, and fund raising and coordinated leadership-training events for pastors. He represented our Bishop on the NYC Commission of Religious Leaders, was active in the City Council of Churches and participated with other groups important to the missional interests of the Society.

Prior to work at the City Society, Rev. Cole served for twenty-eight years as a local Church pastor. Obtaining his Masters of Divinity Degree from Union Seminary in 1971, he first served a small suburban church in Rowayton, Connecticut before returning to the City in 1976. From 1976 to 1979, he worked as the Associate Pastor at Bushwick Parrish. Appointed to a transitional congregation (Grace, Park Slope) also in Brooklyn, after three years he moved to Good Shepherd in Astoria. There he served for fourteen years working closely with the Korean Church that shared space in the building. From 1995 until 1999, he served First Church Jamaica, a multi-ethnic church in crisis. In addition, over the years, Rev. Cole served on the Norwalk Human Relations Commission; the Board of the Brooklyn Methodist Home where he organized their Chaplaincy Program; the L.I.W. District Board of Ministry (Chair -- ’93 to ’95); the Board of Anchor House (Chair – ’84 to Present); and the Astoria Lions Club (President – ’86 to ’87).

Before becoming a Pastor, Rev. Cole attended Duke University in North Carolina where he majored in history. Graduating in 1963, he worked in Central Harlem first as a member HARYOU/ACT’s Domestic Peace Corps and then as Director of the Harlem Education Program. In 1965, he spent two years in Sierra Leone West Africa doing Community Development and Agricultural Extension work for the U.S. Peace Corps. Rev. Cole is married to Dr. Polly Wheat, Director of Student Health Service, Columbia University Medical Center and they have two children, David (21) and Rebecca (19).

In our news letter for the week of September 5 I wrote as follows: