Religions for Peace
(07/2007) Newsletter - Breaking Bread, Building Peace
Common Tables is an organization founded on the belief that eating together and conversing together are the routes to peace among disparate people. Based on this idea, that the act of sharing a meal can transcend profound philosophical, religious, and spiritual differences, the founders of Common Tables have established a service whose goal is simple: get different people together, and have them eat dinner. The process is simple. Those wishing to participate sign up and are assigned table-mates from their geographic region. Over the next six months, they dine together, each taking a turn at playing host. The only rule is that table-mates come from different backgrounds; in the spirit of the organization, all are welcome. If you would like to become a member, please visit here.
The Muslim Observer
Celebrating Religious Diversity One Meal at a Time
“All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” Ronald Reagan
Troublesome contradictions, violence, and heated arguments dominate religious headlines today. But a deeper, softer story is dawning as well: Soon thousands of Coloradans will be taking significant personal steps in celebration of religious diversity. And they will do so using the most ordinary of experiences - a shared meal around a common table. That’s the vision of Randy Harris and Sandra Sommers of Aurora and of two other Denver area couples . . . and is the purpose of the organization they’ve founded, Common Tables, LLC.
The Common Tables model is a simple one: Members join Common Tables, either as individuals or as pairs, by visiting the website at www.CommonTables.org, providing some basic personal data and paying a $25.00 annual administrative fee. They are then introduced into a diverse group, called a Table, which consists of four members - or member pairs. Member Tables are formed with a goal of maximizing the diversity of religious, spiritual and/or philosophical beliefs while maintaining a general geographic proximity for members. Over the following six month cycle each Table will get together four times - typically for dinner and most commonly in a member’s home. Members are asked only to begin their six months with open hearts and with a spirit of curiosity. Most will end their first cycle with new friends and with an expanded optimism about what’s possible for the world.
Common Tables’ vision recognizes that in all religious, spiritual and philosophical belief systems, the simple act of sharing a meal together is also a symbolic act of great significance. They see millions of diverse people breaking bread together. Here a Baha’i, a Baptist, a Hindu and a Jew are gathered around a Common Table. There perhaps a Catholic, a Buddhist, a Muslim, and a Taoist are sharing a meal.
And here is what to many will be an interesting point: Their picture doesn’t really involve people sitting around a Common Table engaged in deep religious or philosophical discussions - though it is recognized that there will be some of that. The vision is much simpler: “Our ideal is that most of the conversation in the majority of our groups will be simple, non-judgmental, getting-to-know-you sorts of dialogues. We hope members talk about their children and grandchildren and their gardens and about the price of a loaf of bread. Our prayer is that our members will simply get to know one another and that in that knowing they will discover that they have much in common. That they share many of the same hopes and dreams”, said Randy Harris.
For additional information about the Common Tables model for interfaith dialogue, visit their website at www. CommonTables.org. At this time Common Tables is accepting members from through out the United States. An international roll out will soon follow.
LASpirit.com
Bridging Cultural Differences One Meal at a Time
A group of Colorado couples have hit on a fun way to bridge cultural and religious differences by joining at a “Common Table” every 3 or 4 weeks and sharing a meal with people of diverse faiths.
Randy Harris and Sandra Sommers, Frank and Stephanie Albert, and Dave and Kay Corby, all of Denver, enjoyed getting together for dinner to exchange varied points of view in their Mile Hi Couples Club. They decided to expand on the concept of sharing a meal and ideas by carrying it into the realm of interfaith conversations. It worked so well that they set up an online system (www.CommonTables.org) to help others get started.
“Common Tables encourages interfaith dialogue in small, informal groups at a grass roots level,” explained Frank Albert. “Our goal is to help organize Common Tables in areas all over the country.”
To form a group, an interested couple can join Common Tables by visiting the website and paying a $25.00 annual administrative fee. The membership gives them access to the names of three other diverse faith couples in their geographic area, along with a “fast start” guide to get rolling. A common table might include a Catholic couple, a Buddhist, a Muslim and a Taoist couple.
In this informal social setting, observes Albert, “ we find that most people engage in simple, nonjudgmental, getting-to-know-you conversations” and soon find out how much they have in common.
