What an amazing evening at the 18th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner! Around 300 attendees from 52 different groups came together, celebrating unity, harmony, and friendship. The night was a true reflection of our shared values and commitment to building bridges across communities. We also took time to honor and pray for the passing of Fethullah Gulen, the opinion leader of the Hizmet movement, whose vision and teachings continue to inspire our work at the Dialogue Institute of Kansas City. His legacy will live on through our collective efforts toward peace and understanding.

With Sorrow and Hope: Dialogue and Friendship Dinner in Kansas City

Unity and Service in Divisive Times

Dialogue & Friendship Dinner 2024

Thursday, October 24, 2024
6:00 – 8:30 PM
UMKC Student Union Multipurpose Room
Kansas City, Missouri

In a time marked by polarization and social division, the Dialogue Institute of Kansas City, the Raindrop Foundation, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City Division of Diversity and Inclusion brought together community leaders, educators, faith leaders, and citizens for an evening dedicated to dialogue, friendship, and public service.

The event explored how empathy, respectful dialogue, and shared service can strengthen communities despite political, cultural, and religious differences. The keynote address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Jon Pahl, an internationally recognized scholar of religion, peacebuilding, and civic engagement.

Keynote Speaker
Rev. Dr. Jon Pahl

(Include professional headshot)

Biography

Rev. Dr. Jon Pahl is an educator, author, historian, and peacebuilding scholar whose work focuses on religion, violence, reconciliation, and interfaith cooperation. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School and has taught at several universities, including United Lutheran Seminary.

His research explores how religious traditions can contribute to both conflict and peace, while emphasizing the importance of dialogue, democratic citizenship, and community engagement. Dr. Pahl has authored numerous books and articles on religious history, peace studies, and public life, and has appeared in national and international media discussing religion and society.

Keynote Presentation
Unity and Service in Divisive Times

Dr. Pahl’s keynote invited participants to reflect on how communities can move beyond polarization through:

Building relationships across differences
Listening before judging
Serving the common good
Strengthening democratic values through civic engagement
Finding hope through interfaith cooperation
Practicing compassion as a public virtue

Rather than asking people to ignore their differences, the presentation emphasized learning to work together despite them.