2013 Leadership Conference E.pistle  

Leadership Conference 2013 Logo LSTC Leadership Conference  
& Special Events: March 10-11

 

Dear Alumni and Friends,

 

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will hold its annual Leadership Event and Alumni Awards Ceremony on Monday, March 11 beginning at 9 a.m. We'd love for you to come for this continuing education opportunity. 
 
LSTC has redesigned its Leadership Conference into the Leadership Series for 2012-13. You are also invited to a free lecture by Eboo Patel on Sunday, March 10, preceded by a concert. If you're an alum celebrating a special graduation anniversary, there's even a discount on the registration fee. You can register online here.
  
  
Faithful Living in an Interfaith World
  
Why do Christians engage in interfaith encounter and dialogue? What is it deep within our tradition that motivates us for and sustains us in this endeavor? Why and how do other faith communities approach interfaith engagement? 


March 10, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. 
Concert and Lecture

Eboo Patel Eboo Patel, founder and president of the Interfaith Youth Core, will speak on the topic of his recent book, Sacred Ground, sharing a vision of a better America. He believes that religion is a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. 
 
Patel is inspired to build this bridge by his faith as a Muslim, his Indian heritage, and his American citizenship. He has spoken about this vision at the TED conference, the Clinton Global Initiative, and the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, as well as college and university campuses across the country. He regularly writes for The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Huffington Post. 

Salaam Shalom Project The evening begins with a concert by the Salaam-Shalom Music Project, made up of members of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band and distinguished artists from the Chicago Arabic music community. 
 
Drawing on the traditional melodies of the Middle East combined with those of the Klezmorim (Eastern European Jewish musicians), the ensemble affirms the possibilities for mutual learning, enrichment and good will between Jews, Muslims and Christians.



Leadership Conference
March 11, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  

Cost for the one-day conference is $75. Register online: HERE. Alumni with special anniversaries will receive a discounted price of $50. The registration deadline is March 8, 2013.  


"Entertaining Angels: The Whys and Wherefores of Interfaith Hospitality"
Lecture and discussion 9 a.m. - noon by Mark Swanson, Harold S. Vogelaar Professor of Christian-Muslim Studies and Interfaith Relations at LSTC

 

Workshops  

1 p.m. (run concurrently) 
1.    "Christian-Muslim Resources: Facilitating 'Talking Points'" by Professors Mark Swanson (LSTC), Carol Schersten LaHurd (LSTC), and Ghulam-Haider Aasi (LSTC and American Islamic College) 

2.   "The Fluidity of Sharia and Seeing It In Action" by Janaan Hashim, partner at Amal Law Group, and Visiting Professor,  McCormick Theological Seminary
3.   "A Reflection of Each Other, Seeing Yourself in the Service" by Laila Muhammad, consultant, interfaith service projects 

 

2:30 p.m. (run concurrently) 
1.   "Christian-Muslim Resources: Facilitating 'Discover Islam'" by Professors Mark Swanson, Carol Schersten LaHurd, and Ghulam-Haider Aasi 

2.   "The Sikh Way of Life: An Introduction" by Neha Singh, Interfaith Youth Core
3.   "Faith, Farming and Sustainable Land Use in the South Side of Chicago" by Robert Nevel, KAM Isaiah Israel

4 - 5 p.m.
"Best Practices in Interfaith Engagement" by Tahera Ahmed, chaplain, Northwestern University; Maham Khan, Interfaith Youth Core; Shanta Premawardhana, Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE); Rabbi Andrea London, Jewish-Muslim Community Building Initiative

Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception  

Immediately following the conference, at 5:30 p.m., the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented. Stay for a reception hosted by Goose Island Brewing to celebrate the ongoing work of our graduates in the world.  Learn more about this year's Distinguished Alumni.