From February 25th through March 3rd, 2007, the Religious Awareness Days Steering Committee will be presenting the third annual Open Hands Open Hearts: Exploring Faith Traditions at the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus. Open Hands Open Hearts aims to raise awareness about the wide diversity of faith backgrounds, both in the local and global arenas, and pursue a broad range of issues facing faith communities in the modern era.

Open Hands Open Hearts is the result of a collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins University’s Interfaith Council and Campus Ministries, as well as student representatives from a variety of Hopkins faith organizations. The program allows for public open discussion of matters concerning faith, an idea that has excited the Interfaith Council since its inception. After the tragedy of September 11, the idea seemed to take on new meaning and a newfound importance; the need to foster mutual understanding and cooperation between different faiths is vital in the work of recovery from a long history of misconceptions and abuse and to develop a context for building peace.

During Open Hands Open Hearts, we invite you to explore the questions of faith, and to explore with an openness the diverse dimensions of self and of mind. We hope to provide participants with the opportunity to learn about various religious walks of life from various perspectives, and to stimulate deeper thought about one’s own tradition and the relationship among different faith traditions. We hope you will listen, not just with your ears, but also with your eyes, with your feet, with your hands, and with your heart. We hope you will choose to join us in this ultimately life affirming journey.