Center on Religion & the Professions

Improving religious literacy among professionals.

The Predicament of the Aftermath: Oklahoma City and 9/11

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From the organizers: Dr. Edward T. Linenthal, Professor of History at Indiana University and Editor of the Journal of American History, will be delivering the  sixth annual Distinguished Lecture on Religion and Public Life. Dr. Linenthal (Ph.D. in Religious Studies, UC Santa Barbara, 1979) has written several books dealing with public memory and memorialization in the U.S., focusing on the ways that the nation and its people have marked and commemorated catastrophic events such as the Pearl Harbor, the Civil War, the Holocaust, and the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing. He has worked with the National Park Service’s Civic Engagement and Public History Program and was a member of the federal advisory commission for the memorial to the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on 9/11/2001.
Date/Time:  April 28, 2014. Time TBA.
Location: TBA
Cost: Free
For more information: Please contact the Department of Religious Studies at rsinfo@missouri.edu or at (573) 882-4769.
You can learn more about Dr. Linenthal’s work and perspectives at the following links:

You can also learn more about past lectures at the following link:

http://religiousstudies.missouri.edu/events/religion-publiclife.shtml

Diaspora: A Film Series

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The world’s diaspora has brought people of different races, ethnicities, cultures, and faiths together to create diverse communities across the globe. But with that transplantation come conflicts. This fall, the Center on Religion and Professions is screening a series of films that explore communities affected by religious diaspora, and we want you to join us! Each evening will feature a documentary followed by a conversation.

To kick off the series, we’ll watch Musafer: Sikhi is Traveling. The hour-long documentary takes a look at how a younger generation of Sikhs has emigrated across the world, taking their faith with them in a tumultuous time for those who practice Sikhism.

Professor Emeritus Paul Wallace of the Political Science department will join us for a conversation after the screening. 

Date/Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 13

Location: Missouri United Methodist Church, 209 S. Ninth St. Meet us in the church lobby at the corner of 9th and Elm. Downtown street parking is available, and the Hitt Street Garage is the closest to the church.

Cost: Free. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information: Contact The Center on Religion & Professions at (573) 882-9257 or email Sangeeta Shastry at ssf73 at mail dot missouri dot edu.

WORKSHOP: Youth Mental Wellness and Faith Communities

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Columbia’s Youth Community Coalition — or YC2 — is planning a workshop to help educate faith community leaders on understanding the positive contributions they can make to the mental wellness of youth. The workshop aims to help leaders recognize possible early signs of mental health and substance use issues in youth, project an accepting, welcoming (no-blame) culture and language for youth and families who live with mental illness, and point youth and their families to community resources for help.

The workshop, called “Look Up, Wake Up, Step UP: Youth Mental Wellness and Faith Communities,” will be hosted by Phoenix Programs, Inc., and will be sponsored by YC2, Phoenix Programs, the Columbia Interfaith Council, the Mid-America Center for Ministry, and Teen Relationship Education and Empowerment.

Date/Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30

Location: Phoenix Programs, 90 E. Leslie Lane, Columbia, MO

Cost: Free. Lunch will be included.

For more information: Please contact Heather C. Harlan of Phoenix Programs at (573) 875-8880 ext. 2142 or via email at hharlan at phoenixprogramsinc dot org.

EVENT: What is the Future of Faith?

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The Missouri United Methodist Church is hosting a two-day event featuring Publishers Weekly religion editor and author Phyllis Tickle on the future of faith. The event will also include a Friday evening service by Rev. Emmanuel Cleaver, a former United Methodist pastor and current United States Congressman.

Date/Time/Location:

The schedule of events is as follows:

Friday, March 14

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Clergy Leaders’ Session with Phyllis Tickle: “What are the Implications for the Inherited Church?”

  • Location: First Presbyterian Church, 16 Hitt St.
  • $25 Registration fee includes box lunch (payable through Broadway Christian Church by check or electronic charge at http://www.broadwaychristian.net/giving.)

2 – 5 p.m.: “The Future of Faith: Religion in a Postmodern World”: A Conversation with Phyllis Tickle

  • Location: MU Student Center Leadership Auditorium, 901 Rollins Road (second floor leadership auditorium)
  • Free to the public. Refreshments sponsored by the MU Office of Extension.
  • Featuring MU panelists Chip Callahan (MU Associate Professor and Chair of Religious Studies), Nathan Hoffer (Assistant Professor of Religious Studies), Debra Mason (Professor of Journalism and Director of the Center on Religion & Professions), and John Wigger (Professor of History)

7 p.m.: Community Worship Service at Missouri United Methodist Church

  • Location: Missouri United Methodist Church, 204 S. Ninth St.
  • Free to the public. Highlights will include a community choir and brass ensemble. Refreshments sponsored by Missouri United Methodist Church following the service in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Saturday, March 15

10 a.m. – Noon: Lecture with Phyllis Tickle: “What is the Future of Faith?”

  • Location: MU Tate Hall, Conley & Ninth streets (adjacent to Jesse Hall)
  • Free to the public.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch on your own

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.: Lecture and Q&A with Phyllis Tickle

  • Location: MU Tate Hall, Conley & Ninth streets (adjacent to Jesse Hall)
  • Free to the public.

Cost: Please see above. Costs vary.

For more information: For questions about the Community Worship Service or about Phyllis Tickle’s visit, please contact Missouri United Methodist Church at (573) 443-3111 or by email at contact.us@moumc.org.

EVENT: Third Goal International Film Festival

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From the organizers: The Third Goal International Film Festival is a showcase of films covering diverse topics of worldwide significance; each film was either impacted by a Peace Corps volunteer or features significant issues faced in the countries hosting volunteers. Films were followed by speakers’ panels featuring Returned Peace Corps Volunteers from the highlighted region(s) as well as country nationals.

Date/Time:

6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31: Chat with filmmaker Ashley Tindall about rough cuts of her film 27 Months, which follows Peace Corps volunteers on their journeys around the world.

The following is a list of screenings for the film festival, all held on Saturday, Feb. 1:

Location: The conversation with filmmaker Ashley Tindall will be held in Columbia Access Television Studio A, 1405 E. Broadway. The Third Goal International Film Festival will be held in the MU Student Center.

Cost: Free

For more information: Visit the festival’s website to learn more.

Conference: Association for the Study of Religion, Economics & Culture

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From the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics & Culture: The Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, & Culture will hold its 2014 Annual Conference March 21-22 at Chapman University in Orange, California.  The Economic Journal will publish a Feature on the Economics of Religion drawing on papers presented at the conference. We are looking forward to an exciting program and you are invited very kindly to contribute to it by submitting a paper.  We are seeking papers that engage with questions of economics, religion and culture across the social sciences, bringing together a wide variety of academics as well as policy specialists. Professor James Andreoni will deliver the Keynote Address at the conference.

Date/Time: Conference runs from March 21-22, 2014. Single paper abstracts are due Oct. 4, 2013. Single papers for feature are due Oct. 4, 2013. Complete sessions are due Oct. 18, 2013.

Location: Chapman University, Orange, Calif.

Cost: Register at ASREC’s website.

For more information: Email and submit proposals to conference@asrec.org.

Mid-Missouri PrideFest

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From the organizers: Mid-Missouri PrideFest is an annual celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and ally community in Mid-Missouri. This family-friendly event includes entertainment, food, vendors, information on community organizations, children’s activities and more. This year’s event will include live bands, a gayest dog contest, bounce houses for all ages, Pride Idol (similar to American Idol), and a special presentation by Chad Michaels. Chad Michaels is the nation’s #1 Cher impersonator and winner of Ru Paul’s All Stars Drag Race.
 
Time/Date: Sunday, Aug. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: Intersection of Cherry and 4th streets, including Deja Vu

Cost: Free

For more information: Contact info@midmopride.com. VIP tickets and a schedule of events available at www.midmopride.com.

Juneteenth celebration in Douglass Park

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From the City of Columbia: Come and celebrate African-American Heritage in the park with bands, choirs, speakers, games, and food. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and come have some fun!

The cessation of slavery in the United States is observed on June 19, or Juneteenth.  The observance of Juneteenth had its beginnings in 1865 Galveston, Texas, with the arrival of Union soldiers armed with the good news of freedom.  Although slavery was ended on January 1, 1863, by the Emancipation Proclamation, it was not until 1865 that enforcement of the Proclamation was attained.  In 1997, the United States Congress recognized Juneteenth as Juneteenth Independence Day, and in 2010, the World Day of Reconciliation and Healing from the Legacy of Enslavement was established.  Currently, a majority of states celebrate June 19 as a state holiday or day of observance, including Missouri.

Time/Date: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 15

Location: Douglass Park, 400 N. Providence

Contact: Call Bill at (573) 522-1018 for more information

 

At Ragtag: ‘Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement’

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From the City of Columbia: The Supreme Court of the United State is expected to issue its decision on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) before the end of June.  This documentary and the panel discussion that follows will provide information that may assist you in understanding the legal and societal impact of their ruling.

Ragtag Cinema and The Center Project, Mid-Missouri’s non-profit LGBT community center, are partnering to present an inspiring 2009 documentary.  It will introduce you to Edie Windsor, the lead plaintiff in the current Supreme Court case. In the movie, Edie and her partner Thea are a feisty, delightful Lesbian couple who are finally getting married after 42 years together. In this documentary, we learn more about these tireless community activists and the issues they faced.

A discussion/Q&A will follow the screening. MU Law School professors Wells and Dragich and the Deputy Director of PROMO, Stephanie Perkins, will discuss the legal and personal stories that caused the lawsuit to be filed and how the decision may affect LGBT couples throughout the U.S.

Time/Date: 5:45 p.m. Monday, June 10

Location: Ragtag Cinema

Cost: This screening is free, but a minimum $5 donation is suggested to help support The Center Project, Mid-Missouri’s non-profit LGBT community center based in Columbia.

For more information: Contact Diane Booth at (573) 874-1540 for more information

Islamic Center of Central Missouri hosts potluck

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From the Islamic Center of Central Missouri: “Ending U.S. Sponsored Torture Forever” is a potluck dinner and presentation with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, or NRCAT. Featured speakers are Rev. Richard Killmer, executive director of NRCAT and Dr. Mohammed Elsanousi, the director of the Interfaith and Community Alliances, or ISNA. 

Time/Date: 6 p.m. Saturday, June 22

Location: The activity room of the Islamic Center of Central Missouri, 201 S. 5th St.

Cost: Free

For more information: Contact the Islamic Center of Central Missouri at (573) 875-4633.