Circle of Respect ~ An Interfaith Dialogue Event
How do we talk to each other as different faith communities? In some cases do we talk at all? Interfaith dialogue was the heart of an event that took place recently at Five Oaks, a United Church Center in Paris, Ontario on March 4 -6. I was privileged to be part of the gathering of thirty people from faith backgrounds such as Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Bahai, Christian, Native / Aboriginal, Jain and others.
Modeled on the "talking circle" concept of our native / aboriginal people, it was jointly led by Stan McKay, former Moderator of the United Church of Canada and Bruce Gregerson, with the Division of World Outreach, and formerly Minister at Gower Street United. Those who know these two men can imagine what an awesome team they made as they gently guided participants in the "Circle of Respect". A talking symbol was passed around and each of us in turn spoke as we held the object. The symbol is sometimes a stone or an feather. At this event both a rough piece of crystal and an eagle's feather were used. The others would listen without interupting as the speaker would share stories of their own faith and culture, and some of their hopes for living in a global community. Actually to say that Bruce and Stan were the only "guides" would not be quite true. The respect that was shown to each speaker really gave one the sense that as listeners, we were being "guided" to a fuller understanding of the many traditions and perspectives being brought to the circle.
In Newfoundland and Labrador we don't have as obviously a multi-cultural and multi-faith community as some larger Canadian cities, but we do have at least a degree of this. I don't pretend to know all the faiths and cultures represented in our province, but I am grateful for the small contact I have had with our Native population, Muslim community, and various Christian denominations.
At the two day event we listened to each other with deepening respect for the journeys each individual had taken in their lives. We laughed together, and sometimes felt shared sorrow together as we grew close in a very short time. Lasting friendships were formed. It was truly wonderful to see how effective the "Circle of Respect" model was for people of such diverse cultures and faiths.
In a large way the event was about how we communicate with each other and I was pleased to bring my music into play. A "Spirit Song" was inspired, which I shared a couple of times with the group. We also learned a Native Drum Dance, and an International Worship Dance which involved honouring several of the world's faiths. We prayed together in several languages and it was obvoius that we were all commited to the search of how to make the world a better place for all people. Even in Newfoundland and Labrador we sometimes experience tension between faith communities. At times we marginalize people of different cultures and figure "our" way is the only "true" way. How fortunate we are that we don't face the level of hardship some of the world's people experience because of these same reasons. We are not at war at least!
Bruce Gregerson gave some background to interfaith dialogue and pointed out that research has proposed that hope for change in the course the world takes lies in faiths and religions and whether or not they energize peoples relationship to each other and the earth we share.
The two day experience was an exploration into how we might control the course humanity is taking.The world increasingly finds many cultures and faiths living next door to each other. Will we feel threatened by this or learn to respect our differences, and when appropriate, celebrate the rich diversity we all bring to the global community? At "Five Oaks" friendships were formed largely because of the respect that was nurtured, and the opportunity for understanding and story sharing. Indeed we took the opportunity to celebrate some of our differences. What we gained in the "circle" we expanded on in spontaneous chatter at the dining table and in the hallways of the center.
It's difficult to give a full perspective of the event as I would have to at least share a part of the stories each participant brought into the circle. Personally I hope to take what I gained from the experience and use it on my own faith journey and how my journey touches those around me.
One woman articulated the feeling for many of us I think when she said, "When I first came I saw blobs of colour that were people. But especially last night, I saw friends, felt affection. It was a wonderful feeling!" As I sat waiting for my turn to speak, I looked around at the various ways people were holding their hands, placing their feet adorned with shiny shoes, beaded mocassins, sneakers, wooly socks...and I was inspired to write:
We hold our hands in many ways,
We place our feet this way and that,
But a smile is a smile is a smile,
Now what to say that is adequate?
But as I look around the circle
At the friendships that have grown,
Your smiles are now textures in my heart,
What a gift to take as I go!
I am glad to share with you this experience knowing we'd all like to be part of changes in our lives that nurture peace in the world and in our hearts. I have been witness to how wonderful a tool the Native "talking circle" is towards those goals. I believe we each have the capacity to use the variety of tools and gifts we are familiar with to improve life for ourselves and others. Whenever this takes place it is a blessed event.