Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the annual November gathering of the Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County which was titled this year, “Together We Heal: Interfaith Gathering for Peace and Unity.” It moved me deeply.
The gathering was hosted by the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, and we heard music and moving speeches by members of Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Christian, Baha’i, and Unitarian faiths. Front and center, was concern over what is happening in Gaza and Israel. I found the event to be comforting and challenging, both in the best ways, as people were moved to act, speak authentically of convictions and collective shortcomings, and care deeply for one another. It was real; it was transformative.
I kept thinking… If we want peace and transformation, we have to create those kinds of moments at every step of the process, not only as an end goal. If we want to see justice, freedom, and end to violence, that takes also confession, reflection, and action right here.
Interfaith dialogue provides community spaces and conversational frameworks to do meaningful, life-changing work.
—Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 