Beginning Sunday, Tulsa will witness an unprecedented seven-day event that transcends the boundaries of faith and spirituality.

Faith groups across our community will participate in United in Faith Week, a key event of the Tulsa Area United Way’s centennial celebration. At the heart of this initiative are nearly 60 “pulpit swaps,” where faith leaders will trade their familiar lecterns for those of other congregations, delivering messages of unity and mutual respect.

This kaleidoscope of faith exchanges spans our community’s broad spectrum of belief, embracing the full tapestry of Tulsa’s spiritual landscape.

The significance of United in Faith Week extends far beyond the walls of our houses of worship. In a world where division seems all too common, we’re demonstrating that our differences need not divide us; they can be the very threads that weave us together into a stronger, more vibrant community.

Faith groups have been integral to Tulsa’s charitable efforts from the very beginning. When the Tulsa Community Fund — now the Tulsa Area United Way — was established in 1924, faith-based organizations like the Federated Jewish Charities and the Associated Catholic Charities were among its founding participants.

Leaders such as Rabbi C. B. Latz played pivotal roles in shaping the united approach to social welfare. Their collaboration set a precedent for interfaith cooperation, a tradition that United in Faith Week proudly continues.

Now, it’s time for action. Volunteerism is another powerful way to embody the spirit of United in Faith Week. The United Way and its nonprofit partners always need helping hands. Whether serving meals, mentoring youth, or supporting seniors, countless opportunities exist to make a tangible difference in our community.

Your participation can turn this week of unity into a lasting legacy of understanding and cooperation. Whether at your own house of worship or by attending a service at a faith community different from your own during United in Faith Week, we have the opportunity to open our hearts and minds to new perspectives.

Engage in conversations with those whose beliefs may differ from yours but whose hopes for our community align with your own.

As we celebrate the United Way’s centennial, let’s commit to making the next 100 years even more impactful. In Tulsa, we don’t just tolerate our differences — we celebrate them. We recognize that our diverse beliefs and backgrounds are not obstacles to overcome but assets to cherish.

The Tulsa Area United Way’s nonprofit partners not only serve individuals in need but also provide vital services, like 211 Eastern Oklahoma, that support all faith communities. Anyone can call, text or search 211 online to find the help they need when they don’t know where else to turn.

United in faith, united in purpose, united for Tulsa — this is the promise of United in Faith Week and the United Way’s second century of service. By respecting and uplifting one another, we ensure that our collective efforts benefit everyone. Let’s make this vision a reality.

Let’s show the world that in Tulsa, we don’t have to believe alike to love alike — and when we come together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve united.

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