Jenafor Rollins, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was elected last month to be president of the Canterbury Interfaith Society, on New Zealand’s South Island.
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The mother of six is a member of the Riccarton Ward (congregation) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition to her family, church and employment commitments, she finds time to bring people of faith together to serve Canterbury communities in various ways.
Interfaith groups such as the one in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region provide opportunities for people of different faiths to become acquainted and then to work together to clean public spaces, remove graffiti, welcome refugees into neighbourhoods and serve communities in other practical ways.
"The goal of interfaith organizations is to embrace people of all faith backgrounds in love, tolerance and acceptance of individual preferences and choices," said Rollins. "It is a wonderful way to support your community, make friends and provide service as members work together, unified in faith through action."
“Interfaith relations can be a positive way to unite and strengthen communities, and to relieve suffering among us,” according to Richard Hunter, Pacific Area director of public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “It is also a good way to promote the value of faith and religious freedom in society.”