My final official event as Executive Director of the Consortium for these 15 years was to strengthen interfaith dialogue through our Abrahamic Dialogue course which finished on May 19 at Virginia Theological Seminary. The students from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish seminaries explored shared approaches to sacred texts, art, ritual, and spirituality; and they respectfully debated differences that are key to each faith. They also discussed how to resist the power of religious nationalism to weaponize and distort each of the faiths. The students were remarkable this year, as they listened deeply, discussed thoroughly, and shared their own prayers and faith practices openly.  

Because I retire this week, I extend this final appeal to you for financial support of the Consortium’s work and mission.

My enthusiasm for this organization has only grown in the last 15 years.  It has been a joy and privilege to serve our member institutions and the wider public with two words in mind: “build unity.” We build unity among Christian communities by deepening their shared life in Christ and their common calling. We deepen understanding between the Abrahamic faiths through dialogue around shared commitments and defining differences. Once a common value, “building unity” now sounds radical in the face of social, political, and religious forces that seek only to divide and conquer.

Please support the life-changing work of the Consortium through your gift, so that its 55 years of service can extend to another 20, 50 or even 100 years. Support for the organization is strong among its members, but the Consortium cannot complete its mission with our your financial support.  Give today, and I will leave with a big smile on my face!

Here I am (image above) with our Office Manager Bayor Ngoltoingar at the Abrahamic course. (Please ignore the halo over my head, it should be over hers!).  She will provide continuity and support for our new Interim Director.

The Consortium’s lasting impact on seminarians and emerging religious leaders continues.  At my son’s recent memorial service in Alexandria, I met students who continue ecumenical and interfaith work in their ministry because of Consortium involvement as students.  While I grieve the loss of my son Andrew, I rejoice that God’s good work of building unity continues.

In the last 15 years, I have learned that the real strength of building Christian unity and interfaith work lies in lasting relationships. I have been blessed with one of the best jobs in theological education, as I worked with educators from over a dozen Christian traditions and with a variety of Jewish and Muslim leaders. The relationships God has brought into my life and that of the Consortium are indelible, as these are the pillars of the work that lies ahead for all of us. 
 
I am moving to Taos, New Mexico to retire, write, and preach now and then, but I carry with me life-giving memories of the people and institutions in the Consortium that continue to work for unity in these times.

###

Read more about Dr. Golemon and his contributions to the Consortium here.