Building Bridges of Understanding

We live in an age of deep divisions — political, cultural, and religious. While the haters and wall-builders appear to thrive, many if not most of us are emotionally exhausted and spiritually disheartened by the endless rhetoric of ‘us-versus-them.’ Is there a better way?

In this interreligious retreat, we will explore ways of building bridges of understanding and human compassion across boundaries of religion, culture, and race. The Emmy-nominated PBS Docudrama, The Sultan and the Saint provides an inspiring true story of such bridge-building in times of deep conflict. 

A second film, the documentary Leap of Faith, introduces an example of forging bonds across religious and cultural boundaries in our own time. In addition to the screening of these two films, the retreat will provide ample opportunity for conversation, reflection, and practical suggestions for action.

Building bridges of understanding takes courage and tenacity. Perhaps today more than ever, our world desperately needs those who take on the challenge to break down barriers for the sake of building community. Nothing less than the future of the human family is at stake.