When I started seminary I figured out pretty quickly that I was interested in working with young people. So each semester I scanned the list of classes looking for anything related to young adult ministry. During my first summer in Chicago my school offered a course called “Youth and Interfaith Action.” It sounded interesting so I signed up.

The class was taught by adjunct faculty member Eboo Patel. Maybe you don’t know who Eboo is. I certainly didn’t. But as I read his book “Acts of Faith” I learned Eboo’s story and about the movement he has helped to spark. It’s all about getting young people from different faith traditions to work together on service projects and then come together for an interfaith dialog about the parts of their traditions that call them to serve others.

Stories are at the center of this work. Eboo often tells about how growing up he was friends with a Christian and a Jew, but the young boys never talked about their faiths. His goal now is to get young people to talk about their faith, because it’s true — there’s so much more that unites us than divides us. He helped to found an organization called Interfaith Youth Core. IFYC trains young people to start these service/dialog projects in their own communities. Because everyone has a story to share. Part of the training for these project facilitators is to think about their own interfaith story. Cassie’s story is about growing up as an evangelical Christian who got to know some Muslim students who she admired for their disciplined approach to prayer. As she talked with her Muslim friends she explored deeper into her own Christian tradition and unearthed the practice of praying the hours, which she has now incorporated into her own religious observance. For me, I’ve come to see that the family I was raised in was actually an inter-religious community (my mother is Episcopalian, my brother is Catholic, my grandmother was an atheist and I was raised in the United Church of Christ).

When you think about it you probably have your own interfaith story. Maybe, like Eboo, you have friends of different traditions, but you rarely talk about those parts of your lives. Or maybe you like learning about other traditions and would love to have the chance to ask some questions. The point is, we each have a story. and when we take the time to listen to the stories of others, that’s when inter-religious, cross-cultural understanding can grow.

As the war between Israel and Hamas spills over into other countries, sending shockwaves of fear that reverberate around the world, as political divisions are inflamed in the U.S. in the run up to election day, this is a time when we must seek out common ground and build our listening skills. Building relationships across lines of difference — such as race, culture, socioeconomic status, and belief systems — offers numerous benefits:

Broadened perspectives:
Engaging with diverse viewpoints fosters empathy and understanding, helping individuals see the world through different lenses.

Enhanced creativity:
Diverse teams and relationships can lead to more innovative ideas and solutions, as varied experiences contribute to richer brainstorming and problem-solving.

Strengthened community:
Building connections across differences can bridge divides, fostering inclusivity and cooperation within communities.

Personal growth: Interacting with people from different backgrounds challenges assumptions and encourages personal development, leading to increased adaptability and open-mindedness.

Improved communication skills: Navigating conversations across differences hones communication skills, including active listening and the ability to articulate ideas clearly.

Conflict resolution: Understanding different perspectives can lead to more effective conflict resolution by fostering dialogue and collaboration rather than division.

Increased tolerance and acceptance: Forming relationships with diverse individuals promotes greater tolerance and reduces prejudice, contributing to a more harmonious society.

Networking opportunities: Diverse relationships can expand personal and professional networks, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

Shared learning: Engaging with others from different backgrounds provides a wealth of knowledge and experiences, enriching one’s understanding of the world.

Social change: Relationships across differences can mobilize efforts for social justice, promoting collective action towards addressing inequalities and fostering a more equitable society. Building these connections not only enriches individual lives but also contributes to a more inclusive and understanding community.

Our faith traditions are built on stories, built on the act of listening to what someone else has to say and then sharing a part of who we are in return. It’s an act that affirms the blessedness of all people. In this time of division we must plant our feet firmly on this ground, and reach with hope towards one another.

The Rev. Katherine A. Schofield is pastor of First Parish Church in Manchester- by-the-Sea. Midweek Musings is column that rotates among Cape Ann’s clergy.