Peace Meals
A Six-Part Small Group Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue Program with Lunch is held every semester! Open to all St. Thomas students of all religious identities or no religious identity.
Sharing a meal around the table is commonplace in our society. Who we invite - or who we do not invite - to the table holds meaning. Today when people do not know each other, broad assumptions and judgments are made, often based on minimal truth and little understanding. As a result, individuals and communities can become disconnected and suspicious of one another.
Peace Meals offers a path forward to build community and understanding across lines of religious and cultural division by gathering at the common table for food, friendship, and hospitality.
Join Us!
We will meet for six meals during the semester. Starting February 20, gatherings will be every other Tuesday during the convo hour through April 30.
Engage in face-to-face dialogue and fellowship.
Free of charge, but because space is limited, registration is required.
Register: Peace Meals - Spring 2024
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Chamseddine or stop by the Iversen Center for Faith.
What to Expect at Peace Meals
All are welcome!
Everyone is invited! Attendees include people from all faith traditions and religious identities, as well as people without a religious identity.
What takes place?
Attendees share a meal and honest discussion, with the goal of building greater awareness and understanding of each other's worldviews, questions, concerns, and hopes.
Students get the opportunity to experience the richness of constructive conversations across lines of difference and be trained to facilitate them. Learning to participate in and lead conversations such as these, in groups or one-on-one, remains a core competency for effective leadership in professional, civic, and community settings.
How often do we meet?
Participants commit to meeting six times throughout the semester to share a meal and honest discussion.
Who is the host?
This program is facilitated by Sarah Chamseddine from Campus Ministry and co-sponsored by the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies.
Who is invited?
All are welcome!
Everyone is invited! Attendees include people from all faith traditions and religious identities, as well as people without a religious identity.
What takes place?
What takes place?
Attendees share a meal and honest discussion, with the goal of building greater awareness and understanding of each other's worldviews, questions, concerns, and hopes.
Students get the opportunity to experience the richness of constructive conversations across lines of difference and be trained to facilitate them. Learning to participate in and lead conversations such as these, in groups or one-on-one, remains a core competency for effective leadership in professional, civic, and community settings.
How often do we meet?
How often do we meet?
Participants commit to meeting six times throughout the semester to share a meal and honest discussion.
Who is the host?
Who is the host?
This program is facilitated by Sarah Chamseddine from Campus Ministry and co-sponsored by the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies.
Testimonials
Participant Feedback
- “It was absolutely fantastic. I truly appreciated the open and understanding environment. I appreciated the active listening and learning about the experiences of others through this program.”
- “I loved learning how to communicate about not only my faith, but also how to let my preconceived notions about other faith and belief systems fall away and instead let myself listen to real accounts and build a newer, better, deeper understanding from there.”
- “I had never really been involved in any religious groups in my life since I am agnostic, so I felt that I was missing out on a significant piece of me. I thought that this program would expand my horizons and help me connect with those that are different than me. I was exactly right in my assumptions, and I have loved it so far!”
- “The most significant part for me was seeing that there were actually people in the world willing to listen to others' perspectives without judgment and share their own with honesty.”