Two different faiths but one common interest - working for the common good

Volunteers from Shoreline Covenant and Shoreline Bosnian Mosque
worked together to serve dinners to residents at Mary's Place

By Dennis Pool

When the Bosnian Mosque of Shoreline recently held an Open House, I learned how concerned the Muslim faith is with the welfare of the disenfranchised of the world. As a member of Shoreline Evangelical Covenant Church, I knew our two communities had something in common.

Christians are also called to give aid and comfort to those in need. With this common concern, we decided to do something together, not only because of our concern for homeless families but both congregations wanted to give a visible expression that different faiths can work together for the common good of our city, county, state and nation.

We decided to provide a meal at Mary’s Place. This shelter is one of the only one that works with families in the greater King County and Snohomish County. There are shelters for women, teens or men, but if you are a family you have very few options to keep your family together in very trying circumstances. What parent wouldn’t want to be with their children?

Muslims and Christians shared meal preparation and came together to serve a dinner of beef stew, a salad bar, bread, three kinds of cake, cookies and juice.

How many times in my life have I stood next to a person of another faith? Very few. And what do you do while standing next to people you don’t know? You talk. I asked about their faith, their families and their jobs. I was able to make new friends and share an evening of service together.

We look forward to our next opportunity to serve a meal at Mary’s Place sometime this summer.