By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

In today’s quick-moving world, taking the time to understand other cultures and beliefs different from one’s own is often pushed to the wayside.

But one group is trying to change that, through one person and one meal at a  time.

Common Tables, a nonprofit organization based in Denver, Colo., is using education and small group interactions, usually over a meal, to promote respect and understanding among traditionally disconnected religions, philosophies, and cultures. According to the organization, Common Tables offers “an alternative to bias, bigotry, racism, and religious intolerance across the United States and in 52 countries around the world.”

Having an open mind
The organization is establishing small, interfaith community groups that share a meal and conversations about the things that make each person unique. The Denver-based nonprofit bases all of its work on its slogan “honoring differences and celebrating common ground.”

And Common Tables recently formed a partnership with Wind Crest, an Erickson community in Highlands Ranch, Colo. The organization is holding occasional meetings at the community. Common Tables’ objective is to establish 750,000 small, interfaith dinner groups that overcome barriers, misconceptions, and fear-based thinking about diversity and inclusion, and people who live at Wind Crest are joining in by starting up their own on-site Common Tables dinner group.

“There is a genuine community of unity being built here at Wind Crest, and we want to celebrate and recognize that,” says Randy Harris, the executive director of Common Tables. “This is the first time we’ve partnered with another organization in this way.”

Sharing a positive perspective
Wind Crest will be home to regularly scheduled Common Tables meetings. And so far, the response to the group has been overwhelmingly positive.