Huntsman

Published by The National Herald, January 21, 2005

Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Invites Rev. Kouremetis to Deliver Invocation

SALT LAKE CITY – Rev. Michael Kouremetis, leader of Salt Lake City’s Greek Orthodox community, said he got an unexpected gift on Christmas Eve when one of Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr.’s staff members came to visit and asked him to give the invocation at the gubernatorial inaugural on Tuesday, January 4.

"Our community has been a part of Salt Lake City for 100 years, and it was the first time an Orthodox clergyman has been invited to do anything with that event," he said. "It was a real honor and a thrill to be a part of that, and he said he was honored to have us there," said Rev. Kouremetis, pastor of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Salt Lake City.

"It was exciting to be recognized by the Governor not only as a clergyman, but also as the whole community. We've been here a long time, and the Greeks have offered a lot, much of it done very quietly," he added.

Father Kouremetis also said any good leader realizes "He can't do it alone. He can't just depend on one group of people. I think the Governor has to reach out to everyone. He seems to be a warm person who has extended his embrace, and we're looking forward to working with him in any way we can."

Following a week of celebration with the inauguration of Governor Huntsman, local religious leaders expressed high hopes for improved interfaith dialogue and greater recognition of the diversity of Utah's faith community.
But a few are concerned about how his policies will affect the state's poorest residents.

Several clergy from a variety of faiths were impressed that the new Governor's staff organized an interfaith celebration on Sunday evening, January 2, as a way to act on one of his themes – the importance of diversity, including the realm of faith, in a state often known more for its homogeneity (the majority of Utah’s residents are Mormons; i.e., members of the Church of Latter Day Saints).

Rev. Michael Imperiale of the First Presbyterian Church, where the interfaith event was held, said church leaders were approached by the Governor's inaugural committee a few weeks ago about hosting the event, and were "delighted to do so… I think every opportunity to let the diversity of the city and our culture come together is a good thing."

Acknowledging significant differences in belief and expression of faith among Utah’s citizens, Rev. Imperiale added that he believes the diversity must be "shared, rather than boiled down to the lowest common denominator, or simply ignored altogether. Greater understanding is the way to healthy corporate living."

The Rev. Imperiale also said he had seen a more pointed focus on interfaith outreach since the 2002 Winter Olympics and believes the state will continue to become increasingly diverse. A past resident of Boston, New York City and Philadelphia, he said he has had "many more interfaith and multicultural experiences here" than any of the other places.

"I think in other cities people tend to keep to their own enclaves of ethnicity or religion. In Salt Lake, because it's all happening pretty quickly, you get the sense that we’d better do this (interfaith outreach) and be deliberate about it. I think that's what the Governor wants to do – be intentional about gathering people together and expressing things in a healthy way."

Jan Saeed, chairwoman of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, said she was pleased with the Governor's initiative in organizing the interfaith event. "His efforts are to be applauded, and he's making a strong effort to show his interest in creating greater interfaith unity. It's truly a challenge to reach out to all members of the community, even if you have the systems in place. I think we need to make sure all people are on board," with a voice in civic and political discourse, she said.

Working toward a "common destiny" was one of Huntsman's inaugural themes, and "those words stuck out to me," she said. "I see part of that common destiny not only in social and economic development, but truly the oneness of the human spirit and the value that every human being has in our community. I hope that is recognized and appreciated to a greater degree."

She noted the importance of understanding and respecting the difference between politics and religion, particularly in Utah.

"Some political issues become religious because of the slant they're given, not only in the media but in people's minds. From everything I've heard him say, the Governor will keep those separate, realizing that the religious aspect of our lives does play a part in how we interact, but that the most important part of civic dialogue is to work toward creating a greater good for all."

Rev. Greg Johnson, chairman of a group of local evangelical churches called Standing Together, attended the interfaith service and wondered whether it was the first of its kind ever organized by the state's chief executive.

"It reflected his remarks about government being a matter of the heart. Initiatives are important, but at the end of the day it's the human heart and condition that really matter." Rev. Johnson said he's hopeful that Huntsman's policies will reflect that sentiment, and "he has to prove and demonstrate that in days to come. He sounds like his heart is very open."

Rabbi Benny Zippel of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah said he's very glad about the Governor's response to the local Jewish community, noting Huntsman accepted an invitation to the annual Menorah Lighting ceremony at the ZCMI Center in December. "I think what he's doing is very important."

The rabbi said he often invited former Governor Mike Leavitt to events within his community, but the invitations were never accepted, so he is happy to have been granted some recognition by the new Governor.

"I think he is a very highly skilled politician, and I'm sure his experience in the trade community is enhancing his performance as governor immensely. If there's anyone in Utah right now that has the know-how and diplomacy to bridge the gap among the many religious institutions, it's Governor Huntsman."

Representatives of Utah's Episcopal and Catholic communities also lauded Huntsman's initial interfaith efforts, but were a bit more cautious in anticipating what Huntsman's future policy positions will be.

"I'm always hopeful about progress and good relations within the state," said Dee Rowland, legislative liaison for the Salt Lake's Catholic Diocese. "I wish him the best of luck and admire his energy and the fact that he was willing to run."

As for his policy positions, "we'll just have to wait and see. I know the economy and securing jobs is important, and I think we all have to work for better-paying, living wage jobs. My number-one concern is access to healthcare for all the people of Utah, and I'll be working with legislators this session on that topic. I'm just optimistic that good things will come."

As with other religious leaders, Dan Webster, spokesman for the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, said the proof will be in how Huntsman's policies play out. He is concerned about the Governor's focus on the economy and an expanded version of the sales tax, which he believes will "disproportionately affect poor people… It makes it more expensive to live, and this comes in a state that prides itself on keeping wages low to attract business. But we're one of the highest states in the nation for the number of people holding more than one job, and when you do that, you just don't see your family. That's not in keeping with the family values that so many Utah politicians hold up as the ideal."

The above was published by the Deseret Morning News on January 8. The original headline is, "The Inclusion Governor?"



Volume 7 Number 4 - Tuesday, January 25th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY