Shared Scholar Program calls for ‘faith-inspired action’
The Interfaith Outreach of SanCap presented its 2026 Shared Scholar Program on Feb. 15 in the Sanctuary at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ (SCUCC) on Sanibel.
Author, activist and public theologian the Rev. Brian D. McLaren spoke on “Where Faith-Inspired Action Could Take Us.” He invited attendees to consider: What kind of world are we working toward? Framing faith as a source of hope expressed through loving action, McLaren challenged them to do what they can, in daily life and as a community, to help make the world a better place.
“It’s by modeling these interfaith relationships that people can be inspired to do the same in all their endeavors,” Bat Yam Temple of the Islands Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer said. “That’s how change starts — it’s on the micro level.”
The program included welcome remarks from event Co-chairs Pat Boris and Sheila Sklar, reflections from local clergy leaders, a question-and-answer session, and a free-will offering that raised over $1,500 for FISH of Sanibel-Captiva, the program’s charitable partner.
A catered reception followed for attendees.
The next day, a follow-up community discussion with McLaren was offered at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on “Leading Sanibel Forward & Caring for Creation: What can we do as island congregations and as individuals to love our islands in a time of climate crisis?”
He focused on 12 steps houses of worship and individuals can take to help preserve and protect their environment. The committee has already met once to continue to follow up on the lectures and find ways of collaborating work for the good of the islands, their inhabitants and those beyond the bridge who are in need of hope.
“Rev. McLaren reminded us that faith isn’t meant to stay inside our sanctuaries — it’s meant to move our hands and feet,” Saint Michael rector the Rev. Bill Van Oss said. “My hope is that everyone who attended will take up his challenge in simple, tangible ways each day, so that together we can help make the world a better place.”
The Shared Scholar Program is made possible by a coalition of Sanibel-Captiva congregations, including Bat Yam, the Captiva Chapel by the Sea, Saint Michael, and SCUCC. Founded in 1995, it was created to encourage dialogue, expand spiritual understanding, and strengthen relationships across religious and cultural communities. Over the years, the program has brought respected scholars and educators to the islands to engage the public on faith, ethics, culture and today’s social issues.
Recordings of both talks are available online. To watch them, visit https://www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org/ and scroll down to “Recordings of Recent Events.”