A Beautiful Night of Fellowship: Our Iftar Dinner at Trinity

This past Friday, for the first time, we had the joy of hosting an Iftar Dinner at Trinity, a truly special evening filled with learning, fellowship, and amazing food! We were honored to welcome our Muslim brothers and sisters while they broke their fast during Ramadan, and we had the chance to learn more about the meaning behind this sacred time thanks to Peace Islands Institute and the Cultural Center of New Jersey.

We were also blessed to share the evening with our friends from Titusville UMC, Pennington UMC, Interfaith Caregivers, and the representative from the GNJ Commission on Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns. It was a powerful reminder of how faith communities across different traditions can come together to share in something meaningful.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation from our friends at Peace Islands and the Cultural Center of NJ, who walked us through the importance of Ramadan and Iftar. We learned that fasting is more than just abstaining from food, it’s about spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and drawing closer to God.

Hearing about their faith in such a personal and open way was a gift. It’s easy to make assumptions about what other people believe, but sitting together, listening, and asking questions? That’s where real understanding happens. We found so many things in common: the focus on prayer, hospitality, and care for others felt deeply familiar.

After the presentation, the present Christian pastors took a moment to share words of welcome and reflection. As methodist clergy from different congregations, we stood together to express our gratitude and joy at having our Muslim friends with us, as well as our fellow Christian brothers and sisters who came to share in this experience.

Each of us spoke briefly about the importance of loving our neighbors, building relationships, and seeing the image of God in one another. We reflected on how our faiths teach us to practice hospitality, extend grace, and seek understanding. In a time when differences too often divide people, this gathering was a witness to the power of unity and friendship.

We also acknowledged that as Christians, we, too, have times of fasting, prayer, and reflection, and we shared how meaningful it was to stand in solidarity with those observing Ramadan. There was a sense in the room that this wasn’t just an event, it was an opportunity to walk alongside one another in faith, in respect, and in love.

Then, of course, came the best part… sharing a meal together! As the sun set, we had the privilege of watching our Muslim friends begin their Iftar by breaking fast with dates and water, following a tradition that goes back to the Prophet Muhammad. Then, we all dug into a delicious meal (seriously, so good!), and it became clear: food has a way of bringing people together like nothing else.

There’s something truly special about sitting around a table, passing dishes, sharing stories, and simply being present with one another. It wasn’t just a dinner; it was a celebration of hospitality, love, and community. A reminder that even in our differences, there is so much that connects us.

At Trinity, we believe in radical hospitality, not just in words, but in action. This Iftar Dinner wasn’t just an event on the calendar; it was a reflection of who we are striving to be:

• A church that welcomes everyone regardless of background, faith, or tradition.
• A church that listens and learns because God speaks in many ways, and we should always be open to hearing new perspectives.
• A church that builds relationships because in a world that often chooses division, we choose connection.

In times when so much of the world feels divided, nights like this matter. They remind us that we are all neighbors, all beloved by God, and all called to love, serve, and stand together.

To our Muslim friends, thank you for sharing this sacred moment with us. To our partners at Peace Islands, the Cultural Center of NJ, and all the congregations and organizations that joined us thank you for being part of this journey.

May we continue to grow in love, in understanding, and in the kind of faith that brings people together. Ramadan Mubarak to all who are observing, and may God’s peace be with us all.

Warmly,

Rev. David Gaitan