In June I spent a week at a Jewish retreat center in Maryland participating in an Emerging Religious Leaders event with the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies. Six Christian scholars, seven Jewish scholars, and seven Muslim scholars gathered for five days of learning how to have difficult conversations about challenging topics while committing to stay in relationship with one another.
This landed in my inbox right after our chat today, Rachel. Super timely.
"Learning the others’ story is the necessary and good work of being a person of faith and of seeking to love God and to love my neighbor." Walking with this one today. Thanks for all you do.
This is a beautiful piece and an even more beautiful perspective. Like you, I have seen religious practices across many country borders and benefitted greatly from the faith of friends and colleagues. There is much we can gain from each other and the conversations, even hard ones as you’ve captured here. We all have work to do towards understanding and compassion. Thank you for writing this!
I wonder if this approach -- learning each others' stories and staying in relationship throughout the hearing of hard things -- is being purposefully practiced amongst people of differing Christian traditions as a discipline of love. Is there an ICJS equivalent to build understanding amongst Jesus followers?
For Christians specifically across denominations? This program really did foster that, too. The 6 Christians represented 5 different denominational commitments or backgrounds. Even that could be challenging at times! In MN there are some multifaith networks that also bring together people in ecumenical spaces.
This landed in my inbox right after our chat today, Rachel. Super timely.
"Learning the others’ story is the necessary and good work of being a person of faith and of seeking to love God and to love my neighbor." Walking with this one today. Thanks for all you do.
I love this so much!
This is a beautiful piece and an even more beautiful perspective. Like you, I have seen religious practices across many country borders and benefitted greatly from the faith of friends and colleagues. There is much we can gain from each other and the conversations, even hard ones as you’ve captured here. We all have work to do towards understanding and compassion. Thank you for writing this!
Thank you, Gretel. You have definitely experienced these things - the good and the hard and the growth!
What a thoughtful piece you have written! It has caused me to think and I'm grateful.
So glad to hear this!
ICJS is such a great organization! I’m glad you were able to participate in that
It really is. Thanks!
I wonder if this approach -- learning each others' stories and staying in relationship throughout the hearing of hard things -- is being purposefully practiced amongst people of differing Christian traditions as a discipline of love. Is there an ICJS equivalent to build understanding amongst Jesus followers?
For Christians specifically across denominations? This program really did foster that, too. The 6 Christians represented 5 different denominational commitments or backgrounds. Even that could be challenging at times! In MN there are some multifaith networks that also bring together people in ecumenical spaces.