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There usually isn't any ice cream at the "Rainbow Sherbet" meetings on the UCLA campus. But there's always plenty of open and honest dialogue about how issues of race affect relationships within the InterVarsity chapter.

For the last several years, the fellowship group has had a strong desire to move forward in racial reconciliation. The chapter is about 55 percent Asian, 28 percent Caucasian, eight percent Latino, six percent African-American and three percent other ethnicities. Because of the many "flavors" of races and cultures represented in their chapter, they have periodic "Let'sbe honest and talk frankly" sessions. They call their meetings Rainbow Sherbet.

The foundation of the Rainbow Sherbet dialogues is a biblical conviction that the chapter needs to keep working at racial reconciliation. At first unsure how to do this, the chapter began discussing particular issues involved: Are intentional dialogues in a structured setting necessary? How can differences be presented and discussed in a non-threatening, safe environment? What are practical ways to break down walls of separation?

InterVarsity staff Doug and Sandy Schaupp got the idea for Rainbow Sherbet from the "Fudge Ripple" dialogues at a multiracial church in Chicago. At UCLA about 65 students (half of the chapter) attend the quarterly meetings, Sandy reports. "First we meet in smaller groups by race to discuss a selected topic. Then we 'swirl' back together (like rainbow sherbet) as an entire community to share and discuss the same topic. That's when differences become clear, and God works to unite us."

A year or so ago, the hot discussion topic was the proposition to eliminate affirmative action. When several African-Americans shared their fear and pain over the issue, others in the predominantly Asian and white fellowship tried hard to listen and identify with their hurt. Unspoken barriers melted away. Other topics have centered around how to develop cross-cultural friendships, how Asian-Americans feel about being a majority in the chapter but a minority in the culture, and how sexual identity relates to racial identity and stereotypes.

At the first meeting of this school year, the discussion was prompted by a controversial writer for the school newspaper who sarcastically wrote that minorities should simply stop complaining and blaming others for their problems. But instead of debating the issue of blame, the focal question for those at Rainbow Sherbet was, "How have I contributed to racial problems?" "What am I responsible for that I need to confess to God and to others?"

As each ethnic group met separately, God began softening hearts and exposing sin. Nearly everyone realized they had been exposed to racism and racial stereotypes within their own families, often subtly. A white student admitted to thinking fearful thoughts when she first met her roommate's brother whom she perceived as a "big black man." As she repented and humbly shared this story with the large group, she found that others welcomed her honest confession without rejection. And her roommate forgave her for assuming that her kind brother should be feared.

"Students have shared some things that they've kept well-guarded until now, things that they've never vocalized before," Sandy observes. "But when they do, others are allowed to share their deep pain, and their load is suddenly much lighter. They are valued as members of the body of Christ."

Previous dialogues have involved mostly juniors and seniors. "Because of the need to be honest, vulnerable, and committed to reconciliation, these discussions take a lot of spiritual maturity," explains Doug. But this fall there were a significant number of freshmen and sophomores at the first meeting. Sandy was surprised by the openness of the younger students. "It seems that God is honoring our efforts through these freshmen and sophomores who have a heart for reconciliation." Through Rainbow Sherbet God is building a campus fellowship that is as colorful as the rainbow and as refreshing as sherbet.