First Reformed Church of Bethlehem hosts pastor from Oman

On Sunday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m., the First Reformed Church of Bethlehem will host a guest pastor, Aaro Rytkönen, executive director of the Al Amana Centre, in Oman, on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

Rev. Rytkönen will be available after the service for questions. His ministry at the Al Amana Centre is to facilitate dialogue between Christians and Muslims to seek mutual understanding that will lead to more peaceful societies.

“First Reformed Church of Bethlehem is grateful for this opportunity to host Pastor Aaro Rytkönen’s visit,” said Harlan E. Ratmeyer, pastor of the First Reformed Church in a release from the church. “We are a congregation committed to improving interfaith conversation and interfaith cooperation when it comes to making our communities stronger.

“Our aim is to focus on those values and goals we hold in common. Our society, at this time, appears to focus on differences, to raise suspicion, making this a dangerous world. We hope to meet and greet our neighbors, and work together, as we all live on this small planet.”

Prior to coming to the Al Amana Centre, Rev. Rytkönen was head of Secretariat of The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers. He is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.

The Al Amana Centre’s work arises out of a legacy of over 100 years of interfaith cooperation.  In 1893, the Reformed Church in America arrived in Oman and began medical and educational initiatives. These efforts succeeded, the release says, because it was a collaborative endeavor with the people of Oman and those from many other nationalities and faiths working side by side to serve the needs of the entire community.

When this work came to an end, the RCA partnered with others to create an ecumenical center that would use this legacy to work internationally to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between religions to work for the common good of all. The Centre now works with religious, civic, and governmental leaders to develop programs that allow people to learn about each other, from each other.

The  First Reformed Church of Bethlehem was organized in 1763, and is sited on 70 acres of land given by Stephen Van Rensselaer in 1795.  The church is located off Route 9W on Church Road in Selkirk.

 

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