Discovery Week and the Power of Kindness

This month, Encounter held its 25th annual Discovery Week. It is always such a privilege to hold this event that was dreamed up by Encounter’s founder, JW Windland. JW had spent years exploring so many ethno-religious communities and wanted to share this with others. His event has grown in popularity and so we were grateful to have a sold-out program as we headed out to meet Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jews, Rastas and more. 

The Discovery Week teaches many things but this year, what stood out was the power of kindness.

The Sikhs’ Hospitality

Every year, one of the most popular visits is our evening with the Sikhs. Sikhs are religiously obligated to feed you when you enter their place of worship (called a Gurdwara). We were fed, our dishes taken from us and cleaned, our guides were kind, and we witnessed the incredible Sukh Asan service where the scriptures, the Guru Granth, are put to bed. The sense of welcome at the Gurdwara is really palpable and it is fascinating how that is what people often remember most – not a doctrine or a teaching but rather the tremendously warm welcome.

Six men eating at Sikh Gurdwara. Caption: We were fed physically, emotionally, intellectually and even spiritually in our visit to the Sikh Gurdwara. Photo credit: Encounter World Religions

The Sanctuary – Demonstrating Community and Humility

We had a new Christian visit this year as we visited the Sanctuary, a Christian church in downtown Toronto unlike any church you might have visited. Many churches (and other religious communities) give back, operating soup kitchens for example. But these actions are the lifeblood of the Sanctuary. The added twist, however, is that they try not merely to feed the homeless but to live in actual community with them. They provide the food for the meals but preparing and cooking the meals is done alongside homeless members of the community. They incorporate these homeless folks into the Sunday service as full members. And they hold an art day once a week where community members paint and create beautiful works. The intent obviously is to see the whole person, that this homeless woman might also be gifted and paint something of real beauty.

Our host, Rachel, emphasized how much she has been given by Toronto’s downtown homeless and choked up a bit talking about it. These people are committed to non-hierarchical communal living with the most vulnerable. It left many of our attendees inspired and humbled.

The Sanctuary is covered in art made by the homeless members of their community. Photo credit: Encounter World Religions

A Rabbi Dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

I chatted during the week with a rabbi I’ve long known, one of the most prominent in Canada. She is a real champion of interfaith. Historically, Toronto’s rabbis and imams have had each other on speed dial. They have been strong supporters of each other and have come out to show support when the other has experienced violence (such as the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting or the Quebec City mosque shooting).

Since October 7, these relationships, cultivated over many years, have been under real strain. There are strong, visceral disagreements about the conflict in the Middle East. 

But I was heartened while speaking with her to hear that quiet conversations are happening below the radar. She assured me these conversations are difficult but that they offer some hope, drawing as they do on the strength of the relationships that had been cultivated. Activities that involve whole congregations are not yet in the cards but there are glimmers of light. Sometimes kindness can be hard things like listening and reaching out despite your hurt and maybe your anger.

Photo credit: Encounter World Religions

Conclusion

Encounter was really built out of one person’s kindness. When you went with JW to visit these communities, people were so pleased to see him. He valued them and treated them with such respect that they, in turn, held him in high regard. 

The week continues to thrive due to the kindness of so many – St. Andrew’s United Church who housed us and provided a base for classes; Meghan, my new volunteer helper, who is a goddess and ten people in one; and Mel and Troy Roach who feed 50 people for an entire week year in and year out, with the meals customized for every diet and served with love.

And of course, these lessons are demonstrated by these many communities be it the hospitality of our Sikh hosts, the wonderful compassion of the Sanctuary folks, or a rabbi and her Muslim colleagues finding ways to sit and listen even when it’s hard. 

Photo credit: Encounter World Religions