Last week I participated in an event at the student center, mid-campus in our University of Calgary. It was one of many occasions planned as part of United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, an annual event hosted by this city’s Interfaith Council. Titled “Scriptural Sharing: Harmony in a World of Crisis,” this austere title turned out to be nothing but a circle of chairs in a comfortably arranged office and meeting room obviously designed for things like this. The name of this second floor place is Faith and Spirituality Centre.
The inspiration
for me was not so much the words shared in that circle (many accents
challenging this senior with audio problems), but rather the occasion. We were
reflecting on two sacred texts, one from the Ahmadiyya Muslims Quran, and one
from the Bible, Romans 12. Not only Muslims and Christians, but also
Unitarians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus and others in absolute respect and
peacefulness holding forth in this talking circle, speaking thoughtfully about
“let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice” and
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” [i]
along with related thoughts that came up during the two hour gathering.
The occasion
seemed to incite a spirit of joy on this gathering of university students and a
few assorted retirees, professors and clergy. Near end of the talking circle, our discussion facilitator asked one of the
women if she might lead in a song. She was taken by surprise, but
almost immediately replied, “Sure let’s try.” Using the tune “Frere Jacquez”
there we were, all of us, not quite karaoke but singing our hearts out, round
song complete with clapping, missed starts and laughter for all. It was
spontaneous and happened only because two in our midst exercised a freedom of
spirit and the gift of music.
Consistent
with tone of this meeting, there was food; lots of variety and served to us by
several students from different faith communities. Even as I overheard them
talking about some unique flavors coming from certain shops in the Food Court
one floor down, I could not but enjoy the hospitable camaraderie, obviously communicating a youthful
connectedness with others in this student center.
And then
there was the carpool to and from this location. Alongside shortest or best GPS
instructions, the personality of carpoolers also came into play. Our host provided the ride including gas and parking fee, all this alongside back-seat
driver instructions from each of his passengers. J
My
enthusiasm for Interfaith events in this city is definitely beyond a nice
activity to occupy an old thinker. This year’s chosen theme of crisis harmony
addresses the very thing everybody, all cultures, young and old, male or
female, rich or poor, [ii]
is aware of. There was an undeniable willingness to participate with all in
something we all desire - definitely more than just 'sumpin to do'.
So our
University of Calgary, secular institute of higher learning, very attentive to
the education needs of a pluralistic, multinational student body, has a
spirituality center well attuned to this day. The unpretenscious down-home
hosting of a UNWIHW event communicates nothing but good news, perhaps also
contributing to its increasing Times Higher Education (THE) rating and
definitely a notch above all the separatist divisive lingo being touted in
this province.
The carpool
ride home included hearty conversation about our understanding of God (Yup, a Mormon,
Unitarian, Mennonite, and a Muslim all in this neighborly rideshare). We were agreed
it had been an uplifting meeting. I posit also that this was healthier for mind and
soul than the religion and politics we avoid at so many of our family
dinners or coffee klatches.
