Year of service promotes interfaith understanding

On September 11, 2014, Grand Valley's Kaufman Interfaith Institute proclaimed that 2015 would be the Year of Interfaith Service — a unique partnership combining community organizations, student groups and congregations to promote interfaith service in West Michigan.

Dozens of events and programs later, the first year of the initiative has officially ended, but its impact in West Michigan is leaving a lasting effect.

"I think because of this year and the programming that was hosted, people are now able to articulate how and why it's important to come together for interfaith service," said Katie Gordon, Kaufman Interfaith Institute program manager.

The Kaufman Interfaith Institute called on its Interfaith Service Council to serve during the initiative. The council currently consists of more than 200 individuals who represent more than 100 congregations and organizations in West Michigan. Some of these community partners include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Gilda's Club, Bethany Christian Services, God's Kitchen, West Michigan Hindu Temple, Aquinas College, Calvin College, Hope College and Lutheran Social Services of West Michigan, among many others.

Together these community members participated in interfaith builds with Habitat for Humanity, volunteered at food pantries, knitted goods for local and national organizations with Interfaith & Interwoven, participated in a beautification service project at local Islamic Center Masjid At-Tawheed, facilitated an Interfaith Memorial Service hosted by area Hospice organizations, and hosted interfaith lectures and workshops by Interfaith Youth Core director Eboo Patel.

"Our interfaith community has been strong for several years, and there is a lot of energy to continue to get to know one another and our diverse traditions," said Gordon. "We wanted to harness that positive energy and put it into concrete actions that contributed toward the common good."

The 2015 Year of Interfaith Service also gained attention from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation in the form of a $50,000 grant. The institute has been utilizing the grant to provide students with opportunities to expand their interfaith leadership skills and then apply them on their own campuses, and in the broader community.

Derek Zuverink, senior marketing and management major and Kaufman Interfaith Institute intern through the GRCF grant, said he joined the institute because he wanted to expand his interfaith horizons.

"I had little knowledge about any traditions outside of my own, and I wanted to know more about those who I share a community with," Zuverink said. "It's incredible that just a few events can spark movements on college campuses and build relationships for collaboration in the future."

P. Douglas Kindschi, Kaufman Interfaith Institute director, said the 2015 Year of Interfaith Service would not have been possible without the GRCF grant.

"Especially in today's political environment, it is important to come together as a community to serve those in need and find commonality among our various faith communities," Kindschi said. "Without the support of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, we would not have been able to make an impact in the community and on the campuses."

While the year of 2015 is over, Gordon said interfaith service has become a primary focus for the Kaufman Interfaith Institute moving forward in 2016 and beyond.

"There seems to be a real hunger and need for opportunities for dialogue and cooperation across different faiths in West Michigan, and we're happy to be the instigators to make these activities happen," Gordon said. "People are very excited to continue building upon this first year, and we expect interfaith service will continue to grow in West Michigan."

For more information about the 2015 Year of Interfaith Service, visit the Kaufman Interfaith Institute website.