My first encounters in an interfaith context were over 20 years ago when I worked in a voluntary organisation in East London which had a diverse staff team and a quiet prayer space that was open to all. Twice a week several of us would meet in that space and share something of our faith, have a short time of silence and would sometimes share in prayer. This experience had a profound effect on me, not least was the desire it awoke in me to learn more about my own faith so that I could share more deeply in these gatherings. The interfaith imperative became clear to me; a peaceful, just world will come about through approaching others as gift; ‘Namaste’ …..an ancient Sanskrit greeting meaning ‘I bow to the divine in you’.
We are living in times of separation; of fear of the other. We are isolated from the part of ourselves that is inherently in need of connection. Political climates the world over are playing on that fear of the other, that disconnect that we are encouraged to feel from those who are different to ourselves. It benefits hierarchical structures to have groups of people isolated from others. A united, trusting community is in a far stronger place to stand up to oppression.
The two greatest needs in our times are to be open to hear the other and to recognise and share in the love that flows between us. All the great world faith traditions are founded on a premise of love. Interfaith ministry seeks to witness to love; love flowing through our differing communities, through our families, our faith paths and sharing that love on holy ground – on the ground of the sacred.
For me Interfaith ministry is not about becoming expert in all the faith traditions, it’s not about dialoguing on the tenets of my faith and how they are similar to, or differ from, yours. Interfaith ministry is about recognising the deep wells of inspiration in each of the faith paths and drinking deeply from them.
Years have passed but the experience I was gifted in that small quiet space in East London has stayed with me and it’s now my joy to share that gift with others through my ministry, through the way I live my life, on holy ground, with you if you will join me.