Building Unity in Our Communities Through Interfaith Work
By: Bryn Booker, JustServe, MAP Member, Boise, ID

On a personal level, multi-faith work has impacted me in a profound way. When my husband’s military service was over and we returned to civilian life, I felt a large hole that I wasn’t sure was going to be filled again. I was longing for relationships that offer new perspectives while also adding value to your life. I remember when I began creating relationships with friends in other faiths than my own, I could feel that space filling up again. I cherish the friendships I have formed and count them as some of my greatest blessings in life. They teach me that God’s work is being done by faithful, kind, open-hearted people across our valley, and that as we work together to accomplish it, we weave a tighter net that strengthens us all.

I believe that many desire for multi-faith connection. Based on what I saw at the MAP’s spring kick-off, the Feed the Hunger event, and the St. Paul Interfaith Christmas Concert, it is clear that our faiths are ready to take part in the interactions that can be poured into our communities. But finding meaningful multi-faith relationships can be difficult when we tend to stay siloed serving in our own churches. The MAP gives us the vehicle to facilitate those opportunities. One of the ways this can be facilitated is through JustServe. The goal of JustServe is to build unity through community service. Serving together unites those who give of their time for someone else. That unity binds us to each other. And serving together with others of varied faiths, binds our faith-filled community. It also heals. I remember a friend who was dealing with a personal tragedy that came to the MAP’s Feed the Hunger event told me that her heart felt lighter the day she came to serve. This was a gift she truly needed and it’s the kind of blessings that come from serving together.

I try to take the essence of the MAP’s mission and integrate it in the work I do with the JustServe Specialists I am over in the Boise area. I encourage our JustServe specialists to teach those they serve with to reach out when they use JustServe. Instead of gathering among just members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, think differently, invite churches and friends around you to join you in your service to create a much richer, deeper experience for all involved. One service project at a time, building unity in our communities is possible. And thanks to the Multi-faith Action Project, the ball is rolling and the momentum has just begun. My hope is that as a leader in JustServe that I can help facilitate more opportunities for faiths to serve together. That someday, it will be normal and natural for churches to post their service opportunities on the MAP section of JustServe and it will be easy for faiths to join their neighbors in serving one another. God asked us to love Him and love our neighbor, and take care of them, and MAP gives us a way to fulfill all of these great commandments together.