Common Word Community Service Silicon Valley 2011

SAN JOSE, California — On Sunday, November 20, 2011, thirty-four Muslims and Christians joined together to build peace by serving nearly 300 meals to residents of Cityteam Men's Recovery Center, and to the homeless. Orientation began at Pacifica Institute, Silicon Valley Branch in Sunnyvale. Christian and Muslim volunteers were paired into buddy groups and got to know each other by discussing fun questions about fond childhood memories, favorite holidays, and faith heroes. Afterwards, buddy groups worked together to make fruit salad, green salad, a tasty halal beef entrée, rice, and revani, a sweet Turkish dessert. When all food was prepared, volunteers brought the meal to the CityTeam Men's Recovery Center for service. After all guests had eaten, volunteers dined together and enjoyed more conversation. A member of Pacifica Institute closed our time together with a prayer of thanksgiving to God that the hungry and homeless were fed, new friendships were made, and bridges of peace and understanding were built between our Muslim and Christian communities.

Photos courtesy of Murat Sezgin, Ray Rodriguez, and Loureen Murphy