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CatholicismJudaismHinduismBuddhismIslamWOODWARD M AGA ZINE FALL-WINTERThe Woodward Way:Embracing All ReligionsThrough Interfaith DialogueFrom Chaplain Katie Kilpatrick23451

WOODWARD.EDUWoodward Academy’s commit-ment to respect far exceeds tolerance. Instead, our mission is to deeply understand, empathize with, and embrace everyone around us. Each time I turn on the news, I see another situation where a person has been dehumanized simply based on a difference of perspective or belief. In a world that often feels very broken, Woodward provides a safe place for discussion on relevant issues as well as a space to begin to understand the person sitting across the table who might look, speak, or even worship in a different way.I strongly believe that religious under-standing and appreciation for beautiful traditions throughout the world begins with our commitment to an inclu-sive environment for our students. Woodward is a place students can grow in their personal faith while embracing peers of different traditions. When I consider the importance of interfaith work, I have a vision of ecumenical dialogue weaving its way throughout the intricate fabric of our Academy. And this vision is becoming reality through the involvement of students themselves.This school year, 12 Upper School students on the Chaplain’s Council are assisting with religious understanding initiatives throughout our campus. Student leaders will facilitate 15 assemblies about holidays with Primary and Lower School students, eight Middle School Interfaith Club sessions, and multiple religious understanding panels. These initiatives will help our younger students begin to recognize unique, beautiful aspects of the traditions around them. When a student learns about a special holiday celebrated by a friend in their class, individuals from the entire tradition seem far more accessible.I hope these early initiatives will prepare our younger students for Upper School, where they will have the chance to dive even deeper into religious life and interfaith dialogue. In the Upper School, students can deepen engagement in their own faith through clubs including Yad B’Yad, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Catholic Identity Club, Indian Cultural Association, and Muslim Awareness Club. They also have the real-world opportunity to teach and learn with those of other traditions by helping plan Interfaith Prayer Services, serving on interfaith leadership boards, and even attending the Interfaith Immersion Trip. The required Comparative Religions course—a capstone to the entire religious life program—offers students the opportunity to engage in positive dialogue on a topic of their choice across various religious traditions.Woodward Academy’s deep respect for differ-ence extends to all ethnicities, religions, learning styles, and walks of life. My goal is that we provide a space where students can understand simi-larities between faiths and admire our beautiful distinctions. Our younger students constantly tell me that the world would be boring if we all believed exactly the same thing. They are thankful that Woodward gives them the freedom to worship in ways that are significant to them and the opportunity to learn about the beauty of other religions. Because Woodward is not affiliated with a partic-ular religious group, students have the chance to grow with an exceptional combination of spiritu-ality and openness. I am often filled with joy when I see students freely practicing their traditions in individual clubs on one day and then praying as a unit during an Interfaith Prayer Service the next. What a remarkable opportunity! I know that our interfaith opportunities help to make us unique. Woodward students are our future leaders, and they have the potential to change the world. This is the Woodward Way!“ WOODWARD ACADEMY’S DEEP RESPECT FOR DIFFERENCE EXTENDS TO ALL ETHNICITIES, RELIGIONS, LEARNING STYLES, AND WALKS OF LIFE. ”— Chaplain Katie KilpatrickChaplain Katie KilpatrickOpposite page: Students on an Intefaith Immersion trip visited 1Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, the first African-American Catholic church in Atlanta; 2the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam; 3Congregation Bet Haverim; 4Chinmaya Mission; and5Shambhala Meditation Center.