Common Word Community Service San Jose 2012

SAN JOSE, California — On Sunday, April 29, 2012, 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 Lincoln Glen Church, and was co-sponsored by Pacifica Institute, Silicon Valley Branch. 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, tasty halal chicken, rice, and revani, a sweet Turkish dessert. After all dishes were prepared, volunteers brought the meal to the Cityteam Men's Recovery Center for service. Before the meal was served, Pastor Larry Albright thanked God for the food and prayed a blessing over guests. After all guests had eaten, volunteers also dined together and enjoyed a much-deserved break over more conversation. A member of Pacifica Institute closed our time together with an Arabic 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 Pacifica Institute and Ray Rodriguez