Inspired by various interfaith organizations and aware of tragic harms that have come out of religious animus and ignorance, the Gros Institute seeks to build connections with area faith communities to collaborate toward greater understanding through dialogue, cooperation, and healing. We hope to gather with individuals and groups, on campus and beyond, to better understand the need for repair and transformation of various oppressive forces, e.g., religious-based bias, xenophobia, racism, inequity, and division. We imagine a path forward that fosters storytelling, relationship-building, and collaborative efforts toward the thriving of religiously-diverse communities, particularly in Will County.
We believe that growing the use of dialogue and engaging stories, as well as deeply listening and investing in meaningful relationship, can help Lewis and its neighbors to confront oppressive systems together with honesty, engage in the work of dismantling those systems, and imagine more just and equitable ways of being, working, and living together. We seek to continue and grow interfaith programs and practices such as the annual FIRE (Fostering Interfaith Relationship through Encounter) story-sharing event and incorporating interfaith voices and perspectives in the annual Peace Teach-In.
