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2009 Focus Days Religious Diversity Monday, March 30, 2009 Focus Day Religious Diversity Carole Mae Olson and Barbara Eiger, Co-Chairs 9:30 - 10:30 Hindus, Buddhists, and the Nature of Religions Beyond the Western Monotheisms Speaker: Jim Laine, Professor of Religious Studies at Macalester College Since we in the United States often form our assumptions about the nature of religion worldwide from what we know up close, it is instructive to think about religious cultures that originated in settings far from the cradle of western monotheism. Professor Laine will discuss the nature of religion in India in ancient times, and how the rise of Buddhism created a powerful context of debate from 500 B.C. to 1400 A.D., almost two thousand years. (May be appropriate for CEU.) Barb Link 10:45 - 11:30 Footsteps, A Journey in Faith ( Film) Discussion Leader: Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons, Pastor, First Unitarian Society, Minneapolis Twelve religious leaders of different traditions came together for a life changing trip to the Middle East--to a land they've read about, a land they've preached about for years, and a land some of them will see for the very first time. They aim to deepen their understanding of each other's faith and strengthen the bonds among them in the process. However, in a land torn by war, friendships are brutally tested. The film is narrated by Lou Bellamy, Director of Penumbra Theatre. Discussion of the film will be led by one of the participants, Rev, Dr. Kendyl Gibbons. Note: The film introduces itself and there will be no introduction from the podium. Mary Lou Nelson 11:45 - Noon ANNOUNCEMENTS 12:00 - 1:15 LUNCHEON Luncheon Hostess: Beth McCabe Guest Hostess: Jeanne Morgan New Member Tables Minneapolis Room 1:15 - 2:15 Toward a Religious Re-Enlightenment: Inter-Religious Action to Save Civilization in the 21st Century Speaker: Phil Steger, Deputy Director of Manuscript Preservation for the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library at St. John's University A religious re-enlightenment would integrate the best of the European Enlightenment--the role of reason and the importance of political liberation--into a traditional framework of spiritual enlightenment, that is, an understanding of human and cosmic purpose and the training of the human heart in order to free it for works of justice and love. (May be appropriate for CEU.) Jane Morgan International Day: Mexico Monday, May 11, 2009 International Day - Mexico Enjoy varied music from the different states of Mexico. Hear learned experts speak about the splendors of this country, its art, its economics, and its cultural diversity. Enjoy displays of items brought back from travels to different locales in this fascinating country so close to the United States. Taste examples of its delicious cuisine. 9:30 - 10:30 Presidents’ Hall Living in Southern Mexico Speaker: Jan Sigmund, BS in Education, MA in Art Education, ESL licensure, Amiga of La Casa de la Mujer in Oaxaca After an introduction to Mexico's history and cultural diversity, our speaker will concentrate on the lives and issues of people who live in Southern Mexico, particularly indigenous women. Sigmund will speak from direct experiences in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas. Beth McCabe 10:45 - 11:45 Presidents’ Hall Mexico in the Wake of United States Economic Turmoil Speaker: Raymond Robertson, PhD, Latin American Studies Department Head, Macalester College It is often said that when the United States sneezes, Mexico catches pneumonia. How is the current economic crisis in the United States affecting Mexico? How do the effects on Mexico come back to affect us? This discussion will focus on the economic links between Mexico and the United States and provide a glimpse into how Mexico’s response will affect the United States. (May be appropriate for CEU.) Karen Landro and Liz Fleming 11:45 - Noon ANNOUNCEMENTS 12:00 - 1:15 LUNCHEON Luncheon Hostess: Beth McCabe Guest Hostess: Jeanne Morgan New Member Tables Minneapolis Room 1:15 - 2:15 Presidents’ Hall Past, Present, and Future: The Revolutionary Nature of Mexican Art Speaker: Maria Cristina Tavera, Director of the McNair Scholars Program at Augsburg College, Visiting Artist at the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Research Assistant for the Frida Kahlo show at the Walker Art Center In 2010, Mexico will celebrate the bicentennial of the War of Independence from Spain and the centenary commemoration of the Mexican Revolution. Our speaker will describe how Mexican art created during these two centuries draws upon the allegorical imagery of the Mexican peasant. She will discuss the revolutionary nature of art in Mexico which has dramatically changed ideas and artistic practices. We will also learn how contemporary artists are forming unique interpretations of what is considered Mexican art. (May be appropriate for CEU.) Shirley McKinney
© 2009 American Association of University Women Minneapolis, Branch #MN6019 2115 Stevens Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404 Telephone: 612.870.1661 Lunch and Dinner Reserervation Line: 651.220.4777 E-mail: aauwmpls@qwest.net Get Directions

2009 Focus Days

Religious Diversity
Monday, March 30, 2009

Focus Day

Religious Diversity

Carole Mae Olson and Barbara Eiger, Co-Chairs

9:30 - 10:30 Hindus, Buddhists, and the Nature of Religions Beyond the Western Monotheisms

Speaker: Jim Laine, Professor of Religious Studies at Macalester College

Since we in the United States often form our assumptions about the nature of religion worldwide from what we know up close, it is instructive to think about religious cultures that originated in settings far from the cradle of western monotheism. Professor Laine will discuss the nature of religion in India in ancient times, and how the rise of Buddhism created a powerful context of debate from 500 B.C. to 1400 A.D., almost two thousand years. (May be appropriate for CEU.)

Barb Link

10:45 - 11:30 Footsteps, A Journey in Faith ( Film)

Discussion Leader: Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons, Pastor, First Unitarian Society, Minneapolis

Twelve religious leaders of different traditions came together for a life changing trip to the Middle East--to a land they've read about, a land they've preached about for years, and a land some of them will see for the very first time. They aim to deepen their understanding of each other's faith and strengthen the bonds among them in the process. However, in a land torn by war, friendships are brutally tested. The film is narrated by Lou Bellamy, Director of Penumbra Theatre. Discussion of the film will be led by one of the participants, Rev, Dr. Kendyl Gibbons. Note: The film introduces itself and there will be no introduction from the podium.

Mary Lou Nelson

11:45 - Noon ANNOUNCEMENTS

12:00 - 1:15 LUNCHEON

Luncheon Hostess: Beth McCabe
Guest Hostess: Jeanne Morgan

New Member Tables Minneapolis Room

1:15 - 2:15
Toward a Religious Re-Enlightenment: Inter-Religious Action to Save Civilization in the 21st Century

Speaker: Phil Steger, Deputy Director of Manuscript Preservation for the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library at St. John's University

A religious re-enlightenment would integrate the best of the European Enlightenment--the role of reason and the importance of political liberation--into a traditional framework of spiritual enlightenment, that is, an understanding of human and cosmic purpose and the training of the human heart in order to free it for works of justice and love. (May be appropriate for CEU.)

Jane Morgan

International Day: Mexico
Monday, May 11, 2009

International Day - Mexico

Enjoy varied music from the different states of Mexico. Hear learned experts speak about the splendors of this country, its art, its economics, and its cultural diversity. Enjoy displays of items brought back from travels to
different locales in this fascinating country so close to the United States. Taste examples of its delicious cuisine.

9:30 - 10:30 Presidents’ Hall

Living in Southern Mexico

Speaker: Jan Sigmund, BS in Education, MA in Art Education, ESL licensure, Amiga of La Casa de la Mujer in Oaxaca

After an introduction to Mexico's history and cultural diversity, our speaker will concentrate on the lives and issues of people who live in Southern Mexico, particularly indigenous women. Sigmund will speak from direct experiences in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Beth McCabe

10:45 - 11:45 Presidents’ Hall

Mexico in the Wake of United States Economic Turmoil

Speaker: Raymond Robertson, PhD, Latin American Studies Department Head, Macalester College

It is often said that when the United States sneezes, Mexico catches pneumonia. How is the current economic crisis in the United States affecting Mexico? How do the effects on Mexico come back to affect us? This discussion will focus on the economic links between Mexico and the United States and provide a glimpse into how Mexico’s response will affect the United States. (May be appropriate for CEU.)

Karen Landro and Liz Fleming

11:45 - Noon ANNOUNCEMENTS

12:00 - 1:15 LUNCHEON

Luncheon Hostess: Beth McCabe
Guest Hostess: Jeanne Morgan

New Member Tables Minneapolis Room

1:15 - 2:15 Presidents’ Hall

Past, Present, and Future: The Revolutionary Nature of Mexican Art

Speaker: Maria Cristina Tavera, Director of the McNair Scholars Program at Augsburg College, Visiting Artist at the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Research Assistant for the Frida Kahlo show at the Walker Art Center

In 2010, Mexico will celebrate the bicentennial of the War of Independence from Spain and the centenary
commemoration of the Mexican Revolution. Our speaker will describe how Mexican art created during these two centuries draws upon the allegorical imagery of the Mexican peasant. She will discuss the revolutionary nature of art in Mexico which has dramatically changed ideas and artistic practices. We will also learn how contemporary artists are forming unique interpretations of what is considered Mexican art. (May be appropriate for CEU.)

Shirley McKinney

Telephone: 612.870.1661
Lunch and Dinner Reserervation Line: 651.220.4777

E-mail: aauwmpls@qwest.net

Get Directions