The Cultivating Hope in Anxious Times program has been developed by people of varied religious perspectives coming together to strengthen our community and university through building relationships, growing understanding, discovering common ground, appreciating difference, and promoting collaboration in seeking solutions to major problems of our time. We recognize that faith communities and academic institutions, especially in collaboration, are uniquely positioned to confront these challenges of the 21st century.
The 2019 program to be held from November 7 – 10, 2019 will feature events that represent the diverse groups involved and are focused on bringing people together from these diverse groups. Specific objectives for this exploration are:
- Develop deeper understandings of different traditions and find common values for working and living together.
- Invite wider participation in interfaith collaboration in the university and CU communities.
- Explore ways to effectively collaborate across faith and university communities to address critical issues in this 21st
The core of the program is scheduled for November 7-10, 2019, with bookend marquee events. All events are free and open to the public.
Thursday, October 31st
Lecture: “Once Upon a Time in Kathmandu: How Hinduism Made Me a Better Catholic"
Dr. Francis X. Clooney, Parkman Professor of Divinity and Professor of Comparative Theology at Harvard University, scholar of Hinduism and Hindu-Christian Studies
4pm (1090 Lincoln Hall – 702 S. Wright St, Urbana)
Thursday, November 7th
​Acts of Faith Book Discussion and Lunch on with Eboo Patel
12-2pm (University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign)
Keynote Address by Dr. Eboo Patel, University of Illinois alumnus and founder and President of Interfaith Youth Core.
6-8pm (Alice Campbell Alumni Center, 601 South Lincoln Street, Urbana )
Reception (time and location TBD).
Friday, November 8th
Afternoon Lecture by Dr. Mark Swanson
Dr. Swanson is the Harold S. Vogelaar Professor of Christian-Muslim Studies and Interfaith Relations, Associate Director of Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
3:30pm (St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and Campus Center, 909 S Wright St, Champaign, IL 61820)
Beyond Tolerance Panel Part 1: Dinner and Panel Presentation
Panelists from Lutheran (Dr. Mark Swanson), Muslim (Dr. Marcia Hermansen), Jewish (Dr. Jennifer Grayson), and Mennonite (Dr. Safwat Marzouk) institutions
This panel will focus on moving past tolerance of diversity towards mutual respect and affection for the people, practices, and convictions of faith traditions different from our own.
5:15pm (Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center, 106 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana)
Saturday, November 9th
Beyond Tolerance Part 2: Lunch and Panel of Local Faith Leaders
This panel will focus on moving past tolerance of diversity towards mutual respect and affection for the people, practices, and convictions of faith traditions different from our own.
12:45pm (Sinai Temple, 3104 W. Windsor, Champaign)
Sunday, November 10th
"I'd Like to Buy an Enemy 2.0: The Fear Version" Performance by Ted & Company TheaterWorks
A comedy exploring how fear and "othering" give rise to Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and racism.
3pm (Lincoln Hall Theater, 702 S. Wright St., Urbana)