Community Learning

Freshman Kaki Bennett discovers the importance of community while on the Interfaith Fall Break Trip.

So often we get caught up in the craze of daily life that we forget to take moments for interpersonal learning and reflection.  Spending Fall Break exploring different faith traditions, the intersection of faith and politics, and doing community service in Washington, D.C. enabled me to learn through experience and through reflection.

We were an eclectic group, representing all four classes, a variety of majors, and differing extracurricular interests.  What we all had in common, though, was a desire to ask faith-based questions and learn from each other our strengths, our uncertainties, and a respect for different worldviews and opinions.  We shared a dorm, made our meals together, and played a few heated games of Bananagrams.  We chopped vegetables, walked through monuments, and experienced several different worship services.  When I look back on the weekend in DC, I realize that the community in which I was living had the greatest impact on my learning.  Our conversations about moments that we loved, moments that made us uncomfortable, moments that made us smile, and moments that made us pause for reflection challenged me and made me analyze my faith journey more critically. Learning in the classroom is certainly important, but equally important, in my opinion, is taking time to learn life lessons.  Only then can we take what we learn in the classroom and use it to make an impact.

 

Essential Interfaith

Sophomore Gracie Dover reflects on the Interfaith Fall Break Trip to Washington, D.C.

During Fall Break, twelve students from different grades and with varied interests went to Washington D.C. on the Interfaith Fall Break trip to explore the intersection of faith, religion, politics and service. Karen Soos, the adjunct Catholic Chaplain and Jared Smith, the Center for Civic Engagement fellow, led and planned the trip along with this year’s three scholars: Jessica Annonio, Alexis Grant, and me, Gracie Dover.

The main activities of this trip were visiting different houses of worship, exploring Washington D.C., and doing service.  We visited an Orthodox Christian Church, a Hindu Temple, an Islamic Center, and attended a Yom Kippur service.  In addition, we walked through the National Mall monuments, visited the Holocaust museum, the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, and ate Ethiopian food.  Lastly, we prepared meals for the homeless at a local church are the D.C. Central Kitchen (the biggest homeless shelter in the U.S.) and worked at an elderly home. As senior Kaitlyn Curran explains, “DC Central Kitchen…doesn’t just try to ‘fix’ the problem of homelessness and hunger but empowers individuals” by providing culinary training and other social services for homeless people.

The best part of the trip for me was not our flurry of activities, but the deep conversations I had with my group members and the great new friendships I made.  After two months of demanding schoolwork and the cloistered Davidson life, I was ready for a break.  Now, I have come back feeling refreshed and inspired.   I see a greater purpose in my work at Davidson, since it will help me achieve my goals for the future, such as engaging in interfaith dialogue in a philanthropic setting.  I especially enjoyed our visit to a non-profit called Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty (CIFA).   CIFA works with leaders of different faiths in Africa, training them to teach their congregations about malaria, HIV/AIDS, and promote education for females.  Junior Hannah Jordan said the visit to CIFA “opened my eyes to the beautiful way that faith, service and politics can come together to change lives.”

Kaitlyn Curran, a religion major, said, “Honestly, I loved every part of the trip. If I had to pick just one thing, it would be the Hindu temple.  I loved being able to see what I’ve been studying firsthand and everyone was so hospitable.”  Interfaith action has been gaining momentum on campus with the student group, Better Together, the Interfaith Scholars, and different events Chaplain’s
Office has held.  To me, interfaith is essential in today’s day in age.  Curran said that her experience of “the Holocaust museum [was] particularly meaningful because it shows what can happen when interfaith relations in the socio-political realm are not explored. The horrible events of the Holocaust show that respectful interreligious dialogue and tolerance/acceptance are necessary in one’s society (especially with today’s globalized world).  Sophomore Alexis Grant said, “It is important to look out for the similarities in strangers with diverse backgrounds.  Instead of being paralyzed by fear, it is better to look for the beauty in differences.” Overall, it was a great trip, possibly life changing, and I would recommend to anyone who is curious about other cultures and how they can work together to promote peace.

A Meaningful Meal

Searching for more meaning in life?

A Meaningful Meal is a student effort at Davidson to create time and space for meaningful discussion over shared food.

We will have A Meaningful  Meal every other week during the spring semester. We have twenty spots available each week on a first come first serve basis. A Meaningful Meal is open to all students.

To see our calendar and reserve a seat, sign up here!