The Seminary Explores

Dr. Janet Powers, Professor Emerita of Interdisciplinary and Women's Studies specializing in Indian religion and literature at Gettysburg College joins Katy Giebenhain for a conversation about her book Kites Over the Mango Tree: Restoring Harmony Between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat. Powers is a certified conflict resolution mediator and has worked with women's peace-building organizations in India, Palestine, Israel, Haiti, South Africa, and Estonia. Her PhD is from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has received many awards including a Peacemaker of the Year Award from the Interfaith Center for Peace and Justice, the inaugural Outstanding Contribution Award by Gettysburg Connection for Mediation Services of Adams County, and a YWCA Gettysburg Adams County Callie Award. Powers is the author of scholarly articles and poems as well as three books. You can also hear Dr. Powers speak about her experience of being a woman in academia on the Tell Us A Story podcast.

Dr. Grafton, Academic Dean and Professor of Christian and Islamic Studies, Hartford Seminary, discusses his newest book which he edited, More Than a Cup of Coffee and Tea which was published this year. The book explores some of the important documents and themes that have emerged over the years in the area of Christian-Muslim relations. The book is accessible to both church leaders and laypersons. The global perspective of the book highlights programs and experiences around the world where Lutherans and other Christians encounter and build on the experiences of their Muslim neighbors. In his reflections on seminaries and Muslim issues, Grafton was enthusiastic about the number of seminaries who are including Islamic studies in their courses of studies. He feels that such additions to the curriculum help rostered church leaders to educate congregational members against Islamophobia.

Dr. Darlis Swan, the Ecumenical Representative of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), details the ecumenical movement in the United States. She defined “ecumenical” and went on to share her interest in ecumenism from her seminary studies to her work in the Office of Ecumenical Affairs of the ELCA. She also discussed:

• The transition from the ecumenical movement from the U.S. to the global context.
• Suggested readings on the ecumenical movement
• The involvement of congregational members in ecumenical work
• Ecumenical relationships of the ELCA

Interfaith Connection’s executive producer and host Jackie Fuller joins Katy Giebenhain for a conversation about Fuller’s interfaith work in the Washington, D.C. Metro area and the upcoming Religion Communication Congress 2020 which is sponsored by The Religion Communicators Council.

The March 17-21 Religion Communication Congress 2020 includes speakers:

• Wajahat Ali, CNN Contributor and Contributing Op-Ed Writer to The New York Times
• Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism
• Amelia Kegan, Legislative Director, Domestic Policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation
• Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition and a Visiting Scholar at NYU’s Center for Religion and Media and others.

Thank you to the Church of the Epiphany for kindly providing our interview site.

Dr. Donnella, Chaplain of the College at Gettysburg College, shared his thoughts on Black Lives Matter, Immigration, Inter-religious dialogue, and Pope Francis. While he expressed his hopes in light of these topics, he also was saddened by the lack of religious and civil tolerance during the recent political issues in the United States.

Dr. Vincent Evener, Visiting Instructor in Reformation and Lutheran Studies at the Gettysburg Seminary discusses his choice of the ten top stories/events in religion for 2015. These include: The visit of Pope Francis, the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage, issues of violence in particular the A.M.E. church killings in Charleston, South Carolina and terrorism, and immigration. He highlighted his concern for cooperation, openness, constructive endeavors to counter the rhetoric of suspicion and hate.

The Poetry + Theology editor for Seminary Ridge Review speaks with internationally-exhibited fiber artist Laurie Wohl. Wohl’s traveling exhibit “Birds of Longing: Exile and Memory” came to Gettysburg Seminary in the fall of 2014. The 14-piece show integrates excerpts from Muslim, Jewish and Christian texts from the Convivencia and from contemporary Middle Eastern poets. Alluding to the oldest traditions of narrative textiles, the pieces in the exhibit include original iconography and mixed media as well as an audio soundscape.

Dr. Largen continues her discussion with Bhante Sujatha about the founding of the Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock, Illinois, which caters specifically to Western Americans, and why Americans are drawn to meditation and the Buddha’s teachings.

Dr. Largen has a delightful conversation with Bhante Sujatha about his personal story of becoming a Buddhist monk at age 11 and his subsequent  journey from Sri Lanka to the United States.

Dr. Largen continues her discussion with Rev. Shafer as he talks about the interfaith reality in which we live, and the way media technologies—including the news media—can foster both positive and negative attitudes about different religious traditions, including Christianity.