From left, Alex Smith and Kaylin Westbrook of OKC-Lakeside UMC make a new friend during a summer program in Oklahoma City.

‘The weekend was about fair treatment of faith traditions in the U.S.’—Kaylin Westbrook

This summer, two young United Methodists took part in an unusual immersion experience that studied religion and politics.

Kaylin Westbrook and Alex Smith participated in LEADD (Leadership Education Advancing Democracy and Diversity), a program developed for high school students by Interfaith Alliance, a national organization that focuses on religious freedoms and cultural understanding.

They attend OKC-Lakeside church. They were among 23 students selected to participate in the weekend program. Within the group, 16 faith traditions were represented. Theme was "Active Citizenship in a Multifaith Society."

The Oklahoma Conference Board of Church & Society was among groups in the state that supported the Student Scholarship Fund. Others included the Jewish Federation of Oklahoma City, Disciples of Christ, and Islamic Society of Oklahoma City.

For the first time, a weekend LEADD experience was offered in Oklahoma, reported Marvin Chiles. A member of the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma, he also is a longtime member of OKC-Chapel Hill UMC.

"It is our hope that young students will become informed and engaged citizens and leaders where religion and politics intersect," Chiles said. He also recognized Sarah Nichols and Tyler Kirk, two UM young adults in Oklahoma who have provided leadership for LEADD in the past.

The program was held at Oklahoma City University.

By Kaylin Westbrook

First hearing about LEADD weekend, I thought it would be an opportunity to meet many people of many religions and, basically, socialize. However, they had planned a weekend packed full of learning and, ultimately, life-changing experiences.

The first evening was spent forming trust within our group. The creators of LEADD knew we were curious to find out how everyone was different and what exactly everyone believed. That first night was crucial. There was a bond formed. People who literally just met went back to the dorm laughing and telling jokes, as comfortable as if they were reunited after parting ways in kindergarten.

The weekend was about political issues surrounding the fair treatment of all faith traditions in the United States. We took workshops on how to deal with conflict and on steps to resolve issues whether injustices in school, the workplace, or at our state capital. We talked a lot about current events and what the U.S. Constitution says.

We shared stories of specific instances when members of our group had been publicly ridiculed because of their faith. The stories touched everyone. We had gotten to know each other, and even if your faith didn’t agree with someone else’s, a wound to one felt like a wound to all.

The weekend taught me what it means to be an active participant in the wonderful governmental system we have in the United States. I had been given a special gift. I wanted to run, yelling at the top of my lungs, giving my knowledge to everyone. I learned so much about my country, my comrades and, most importantly, I learned about myself.