United Front
The Alachua County Faith Leaders Alliance Leads by Example
By Jennifer Kennedy
A growing Greater Gainesville leadership coalition is dedicated to fostering unity in the community. The Alachua County Faith Leaders Alliance provides an opportunity for area religious institutions to form relationships, build bridges and work on social justice issues together.
The Reverend Catherine Dearlove is coordinator of the alliance and senior pastor at Trinity Metropolitan Community Church of Gainesville. She enjoys working with other faith leaders to support each other. By modeling mutual respect and love across religions, the alliance demonstrates the Golden Rule at the core of most faith groups.
“Our goals are education, countering hatred with love and showing unity,” Dearlove said. “When we learn about each other, we learn about ourselves too.”
Dearlove said partnering with other faith leaders to encourage love and acceptance is enriching and powerful. She hopes that, by holding deep and meaningful conversations, there can be a shift in understanding and a move toward less anger and hate.
The Alachua County Faith Leaders Alliance is open to any faith leaders in Alachua County. The only requirement is mutual respect for everyone in the group.
“Despite our very different theologies and beliefs, we can still work together and love each other,” Dearlove said. “We hope that by reflecting that as faith leaders, it will be a good model for the community.
Alachua County Faith Leaders Alliance Members
Bartley Temple Methodist Church
Celebration United Methodist Church
Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints
Gainesville Karma Kagyu Thegsum Choling Tibetan Meditation Center
