In a world increasingly characterized by division and hostility, Reverend Janice Jean Springer offers a profound and practical guide to fostering peace and understanding. With its eye-catching title, I Know We’re All Welcome at the Table, But Do I Have to Sit Next to You?, this book immediately resonates with anyone struggling to connect across differences. It speaks directly to the challenges of the “political divide,” rising hate crimes, and the pervasive “us versus them” mentality.

Drawing on over 35 years of experience as an ordained Minister in the United Church of Christ, a spiritual director, and a seasoned workshop leader, Reverend Springer presents a refreshingly personal, honest, and humble path to transformation. At the heart of her approach is the poignant and powerful mantra: “Bless them – Change me!”. This isn’t just about passive acceptance; it’s an invitation to a rewarding, though at times uneasy, journey of inner change and outward peacemaking.

This book is uniquely designed for broad appeal, moving beyond a purely Christian perspective to incorporate interfaith insights from Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, and Islamic traditions, making it “accessible and useful to all people, regardless of the tradition in which they stand or the spirituality that they practice”. It offers six simple yet not easy tools for navigating conflict and building bridges:

Bless Them: Pray for their well-being, be willing to feel at least a little of their pain, and cherish their story.
Change Me: Be willing to be vulnerable, refuse to diminish another person, and talk from your feelings instead of your thoughts.

The effectiveness of these tools has been proven in numerous workshops and retreats, with over 350 participants expressing “enthusiasm and appreciation” for the material that originated from helping diverse church communities in “open conflict”.

For those looking to share these transformative teachings, the book includes a comprehensive Leader’s Guide (Part 3). This invaluable resource provides practical suggestions for structuring classes, workshops, or retreats in diverse settings—from faith communities and high school groups to men’s or women’s gatherings. It includes advice on creating a welcoming setting, community-building activities, sample schedules (one-day, overnight, weekend, and weekly classes), worship/reflection ideas, optional exercises, and ready-to-copy handouts.

I Know We’re All Welcome at the Table, But Do I Have to Sit Next to You? is an essential resource for interfaith peacemaking and community building, helping individuals and groups cultivate “accepting and loving relationships” and find “compassion over judgment.” It empowers readers to become the change they wish to see by providing the courage, community, prayer, patience, and humor needed for this vital work of inner and outer transformation.

A conversation hosted by Rev. Steve Kindle with Rev. Janice Springer and Dr. Bruce Epperly

Women Authors Tags: community

I Know We’re All Welcome at the Table, But Do I Have to Sit Next to You?