Multifaith Work: Skipping Stones and Tangible Reminders
At the beginning of this academic year, a student expressed skepticism about multifaith programming, noting they hadn’t seen the “needle” move after attending events and intentional dialogues in the previous year. Their honesty prompted reflection and brought to mind how multifaith work is a lot like skipping stones
On each bounce the stone marks the water and begins a ripple which spreads out and out before the water settles. On the surface, a single impact does not seem to create dramatic change and yet to look down at the water from a bird’s eye view there is immediate change. And that is the truth of it, the change in multifaith work isn’t often immediate or dramatic. It happens subtly – in individual relationships, shifts in mindsets, and the quiet moments when students find understanding, affirmation, or a new perspective. Thus, the Chaplaincy is committed to skipping all kinds of stones: active and passive, formal and informal, and collective an individual.
This fall brought the return of the Coffee Talk series with Jewish and Muslim Chaplains, where students gather to observe productive dialogue (and disagreement) and are invited to join in. As well as a local service opportunity (pictured above), where both Christian and Muslim students took on the tangible reminder of how faith can inspire action. Our formal multifaith program this semester was ahead of the presidential election, where we hosted a lively panel discussion on religious identity and civic engagement.
Our informal and passive “stone” is our building, the Wilton Center, which has become a dynamic hub of interaction and reflection. Not a day goes by where there aren’t a few students hanging out/working in Pathways lounge. Our shared student kitchen has been used for a Muslim Life dinner as well as a Jewish Life Challah Bake. The Multifaith Room is a near perfect example used for multiple group prayers, text studies, and services as well as social gatherings and meals, on campus retreats and so much more. It is with/through each of these that we celebrate a space flexible and meaningful enough to hold all of these.
As we enter December, the ripples of these and previous programs/engagements are becoming evident. Many students who participated in the multifaith Pilgrimage: Berlin last March are now active leaders across communities. This momentum carried over into this year’s outstanding applicant pool for Pilgrimage: Greece and interest in multifaith leadership
Of course, challenges remain. Multifaith work is inherently complex, touching on deeply personal aspects of identity and belief. Yet, the resilience and willingness of students to show up for themselves one another continues to inspire.
One student’s story captures this beautifully. During an interview for the Pilgrimage program, she shared her initial hesitation to attend Coffee Talks, unsure if her identity would find a place in the conversation. To her surprise, she not only an environment where her perspective was valued but also felt affirmed in her journey. Stories like hers remind us why this work matters—it creates space for growth, affirmation, and unexpected connections.
As we look ahead, we invite you to join us in celebrating these small but significant shifts. Multifaith programming isn’t just about events or initiatives—it’s about building a community where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Together, we’re moving the needle, one connection at a time.