Building Bridges

Having completed the third week of our class with members of Riverdale Presbyterian Church, I am struck by the deep and trusting conversation that has emerged as we come from our different faith communities and grapple with text together. Finding the capacity to hear one another when we hold different beliefs and come from different backgrounds can be challenging.The conversation has been spirited as we struggle to find meaning in texts that we have in common, but which we have read through a wide variety of lenses and points of view.

It has been a deep lesson for me as to what is possible when we are present for one another. We all knw that this is not always easy or simple. Our experience can be understood as one of curiosity, inquiry, mutual respect, and willingness to learn something we had never considered before.

I invite all of us to take these lessons with us as we continue to be in a world where there are multiple world views. It is crucial to remember that we honor multiple truths and “we seek to build bridges where others seek to build walls.” Let our community continue to be one that is caring, kind, and there for one another.