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“Hearing One Another” theme of interfaith Thanksgiving service in Burke
The engagement also included reflections on the importance of kindness, love, and common humanity in times of division.
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Church / Pexels
St. Episcopal Church in Burke hosted the 41st Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Hearing One Another, uniting diverse faith communities to celebrate the power of listening and foster a spirit of unity.
Vanessa Avery, founder of Sharing Sacred Spaces, in her keynote address, gave insights from her organization, which focuses on interfaith dialogue through the study of sacred environments.
Avery's address centered around the practice of active listening, offering practical strategies for fostering meaningful communication. She encouraged attendees to recreate their conversation partners' words before responding, emphasizing how this practice cultivates presence, patience, and openness. By avoiding common conversational pitfalls such as quick judgments and binary thinking, Avery highlighted how true listening can create sacred spaces for understanding and revealing shared values, even amidst polarized perspectives.
The engagement also included reflections on the importance of kindness, love, and common humanity in times of division.
Music played a significant role in the service, with the choir performing selections chosen to resonate with the theme of reflection and unity. The final hymn concluded with a poignant message of hope and togetherness.
Acknowledging the anxiety and polarization present in today’s society, the service sought to provide a sanctuary for gratitude and understanding. Avery’s advice on navigating potentially difficult Thanksgiving conversations resonated with many, offering both practical and heart-centered approaches to fostering dialogue.
Participants left the event inspired to seek common ground and embrace interfaith dialogue as a way to transcend differences. The evening stood as a testament to the enduring power of listening to heal, connect, and transform.
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