Colleyville Residents Walk Three Miles to Bridge Faith Divides
More than 300 attendees from various religious and nonreligious groups gathered at First United Methodist Church for a Nov. 7 event designed to foster community bonds.
By Robert Ward ·
Tarrant County residents left their homes on Nov. 7 with a specific goal: to reduce the social distance between neighbors of different faiths. They met in the gymnasium of First United Methodist Church in Colleyville, swapping greetings and preparing for a nearly three-mile trek. The group included people wearing crosses, hijabs, turbans, and yarmulkes, alongside nonreligious participants.
The event, organized by the group Peace Together, served as a physical demonstration of unity. Before setting out toward McPherson Park, the crowd joined a choir in song. The lyrics emphasized mutual care and protection, with participants singing that they would not harm one another with words. The gathering aimed to turn strangers into acquaintances and acquaintances into friends.
Howard Rosenthal, the founder and president of Peace Together, addressed the group before they began walking. He urged attendees to act before conflict reached their own homes. “We must not wait until hatred reaches our own doorstep before we recognize the importance of standing with our neighbors,” Rosenthal said.
Omar Yousuf, president of the Islamic Center of Southlake, offered a perspective from the Quran regarding the diversity of human tribes. He described the day as a small symbol of humanity’s beauty. “Today is just a small symbol of how beautiful humanity really, truly is,” Yousuf said.
As the group moved through the streets, they passed schools, synagogues, and churches. Denny D. Davis, pastor of St. John Church in Grand Prairie, noted that the walk distinguished good neighbors from mere residents. “That’s why today’s gathering is so important. We are here to turn strangers into acquaintances, acquaintances into friends, and friends into a stronger community,” Davis said.
For Yolanda Bell, a resident of Bedford, the walk was her first participation in the event. She found common ground with other parents despite differing theological views. Bell said she wanted to reduce the fear people often hold toward the unknown. “This is a good reason to get to know your neighbors, because if you don’t know them, a lot of people are afraid of what they don’t know,” Bell said.
The walk concluded at McPherson Park, where water, shawarma wraps, and coffee awaited the walkers. Participants lingered in the park pavilion, exchanging phone numbers and continuing conversations. Children played cornhole on the grass while adults sat on benches, reflecting on the three miles they had just covered together.
