Dear URI Pakistan Leaders,
Greetings of love and peace on behalf of URI’s global community! As you gather for your One Day Consultation and Orientation Workshop of URI coordinators in Lahore.
I salute your work to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings; and I offer my thanks for your leadership in the important work of building an ever stronger, more influential URI in Pakistan.
Fr. James Channan has shared your agenda with me. I can imagine your deepening relationships and a sense of community through the Appreciative Interviews and building capacity by sharing your peace and interfaith activities.
It was a joy and a privilege to be with so many fine leaders of URI Pakistan at the Global Assembly in Mayapur, India. I am delighted that many of you will share highlights of that experience.
I can imagine the power of sharing highlights from 2008 as a foundation for exploring the work plans, priorities and goals for 2009. Among the many visions I heard in Mayapur, I remember the energy for enhanced work among women and youth. I applaud you for considering the importance of these critical initiatives.
I am pleased and not surprised to see that you will begin the day in prayer, and no doubt find moments of prayer throughout the day. Prayer and meditation are the source of our spiritual strength and guidance – both critical resources for URI’s work. I will join you in prayer, especially in your prayerful deliberation about the nominations process for Global Council Trustee. Enjoy what I am sure will be a rich cultural evening and talent show. I wish you every blessing and success in this time together. Again, thank you for all you are and all you do to make URI Pakistan an increasingly powerful reality and inspiration to URI members around the world.

Charles
The Rev. canon Charles P. Gibbs
Executive Director
United Religions Initiative