Sixth Grade Hosts Interfaith Community Event
As cities and towns across America began to glow with holiday lights in November, sixth graders at Principia were exploring the meaning, use, and symbolism of light in a variety of faith traditions, expanding their understanding of the similarities and differences among major world religions.
Students combined research-based learning and discussion with firsthand interaction. As student Bowen explained, this Integrated Studies unit looked at “how light plays a role in our religion, our culture, and our community . . . and briefly explored other religions and communities and how light is evident in their faiths.” For the culminating activity, and with the support of co-teachers Samantha Dry and Dave Wallace, students identified local representatives of different religions and invited them to participate on a panel at their “Light in Our Community Summit.”
Wallace (far right in the photo) opened the summit by encouraging the six speakers, representing seven faiths, to share examples of their sacred texts and oral traditions. Next, each of the speakers (pictured from left to right), talked briefly about the significance of light in his or her faith:
- Ajay Jhamb, an architect and avid coach for a local cricket league, described how light symbolizes purity and wisdom in both Sikhism and Hinduism and how it is celebrated in the annual tradition of Diwali (the Festival of Lights).
- Val Turner, a middle school teacher and a Torah reader at Temple Emanuel, noted that, as the first act of creation, light is “very, very important within all streams of Judaism.” For instance, special candles are used to mark the beginning and end of Shabbat, and an “eternal light” (Ner Tamid) shines over the Ark in every temple.
- Natalie Giddens, a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom, explained that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes the “Christ light” is inherent in each individual and urges following Jesus’ injunction to “let your light . . . shine.”
- Evan MacDonald (US’94, C’06), Principia School Bible teacher, also emphasized the significance of light in the seven days of creation in Genesis 1 and spoke about the importance of the light of Christ for Christian Scientists and Bible scholars.
- Ryan Laughlin, a military veteran and senior pastor at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, referred to the light during Advent and the Resurrection as a symbol of hope and guidance.
- Myra Ekram, a college student and leader of a Muslim youth group, shared the idea of nur (Arabic for light) as a quality that shines forth from the spiritually minded or pure of heart.
After the summit, the sixth-grade hosts presented the speakers with individual thank-you cards—as well as cookies and lemonade. “This is a great initiative," remarked panelist Jhamb. "I appreciate that children are getting to learn about diversity at this age.”
In the course of the unit, reflected co-teacher Dry, “Students’ ideas about other religions were challenged and broadened. They also considered their own religion and how they would express their beliefs about Christian Science.” They learned many nitty-gritty, practical points, too, about “how much preparation is required to pull off an event of this nature,” Dry added.