Praxis News from Hartford Seminary December 2014 • Vol. XXVI • No.1 New Peacemaking Scholarship Opportunities Based on its expertise in Islamic Studies and Christian Muslim relations, and continuing the success of its breakthrough International Peacemaking Program, Hartford Seminary has launched two new scholarship opportuni- ties: Hartford Seminary Peacemaking Fellows and Plowshares Peacemaking Fellows. Master’s in Transformative Leadership Hartford Seminary Peacemaking Fellows and Spirituality Enriches Offerings is one year, all-expenses-paid residen- tial program of interfaith study for young American Christian leaders seeking to work Hartford Seminary added a pioneering peace and cross–cultural harmony in our for peace among the religiously diverse com- Master of Arts degree in Transformative tumultuous times,” said Prof. Miriam munities of Leadership and Spirituality in Fall 2014, Therese Winter, Professor of Liturgy, the United and students are already enrolled. Worship, Spirituality and Feminist States. Studies, who heads the program. “To Funded by The 36-credit program has been created see the full flowering of initiatives that the Arthur for those students who seek an academic integrate leadership and spirituality in Vining Davis grounding to guide them on their lead- ways that aim to be transformative is Foundations, ership and spiritual paths. The M.A. good news indeed!” these in Transformative Leadership and Fellowships Spirituality is designed to train students Students completing this degree will grew from recognition that the types of for leadership roles in corporate, govern- have grown in an understanding of spir- leaders nurtured in the existing IPP are also ment, and non-profit organizations. It ituality and spiritual practices. Together, needed for bringing together American also serves as continuing education for those inform a way of life that inten- communities. clergy, religious-education professionals, tionally integrates behavior and belief chaplains and counselors, as well as for while honoring the personal search for Continued on Page 4 those seeking to expand their personal meaning. knowledge and experience. Core to the program is exposure to a “I continue to encounter religiously rapidly changing world and its multi- unaffiliated women and men within faceted implications, diversity in under- various faith traditions who are seeking a standing and relating to the Divine, a deeper understanding of the Divine and want to contribute more effectively to Continued on Page 4 ANNUAL REPORT, PAGE 8 2 A Q&A WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL PEACEMAKING STUDENTS Hartford Seminary began the been the major favored religion. Farah Zahra of Lebanon International Peacemaking Program Various types of political restrictions (IPP) in 2004, recognizing the need for and discriminations have been imposed Describe your educational background. skilled peacemakers in many countries on minority religions and ethnic with which the Seminary has connec- groups for over 50 years. Recently, we I am a student of knowledge and I will tions, as well as the unique leadership Myanmar people have been shocked by always be one. My choices of major training that could be provided here. the terrible religious violence appear- (International Business) and minor ing across the country. Since 2012, (Political Sciences) were not random; The IPP is for Christians, Muslims or my hometown of Lashio has been no it was the way to plug myself into Jews who live in overseas areas where exception. multidisci- there is interreligious conflict. Students plinary fields. in the International Peacemaking The past two decades have presented Apart from Program spend an academic year study- many difficulties for those wishing to attending the ing interfaith dialogue and leader- engage in interfaith dialogue, human American ship skills that also includes an empha- rights, peace building. Presently, there University sis on public engagement and public has been more government support for in my home speaking skills. In addition to their dialogue between interfaith groups and country, I also attended Institut formal studies, students are embedded peace-building activities. I was a vol- des Etudes Politiques in Paris and in a local faith community where they unteer President of the YWCA Lashio, University of Oxford Summer School experience American religious culture and in this position I took part in inter- with special focus in Middle Eastern firsthand. faith peace building seminars and proj- politics and society. My religious educa- ects with non-government women’s tion was mostly gained from ADYAN Recently, we had a chance to talk to the organizations. Our mission is to engage foundation, a Lebanese foundation 2014-15 group of IPP students (with and advocate for peace, justice, and for interreligious studies and spiri- the exception of Hasan Doagoo, who equality for women and men through tual solidarity that works on anchor- was visiting his home in Iran at the working with key stakeholders at all ing religious diversity and developing time of our interviews). Here’s how levels toward positive social change in its understanding. There, I attended they answered our questions: Myanmar. courses about world religions and reli- gion and public affairs. Cingh Lun Niang (Lun) of Why are you interested in learn- Myanmar (Burma) ing about interfaith dialogue and Describe the religious conflicts in your peacemaking? home country. Describe your educational background. My knowledge in interfaith dialogue Lebanon was at one time known as a I completed my Bachelor of Theology has been very limited. Therefore, when state whose people rose above sectar- and Master of Divinity at Myanmar I was looking for the means to equip ian divides and whose capital, Beirut, Institute of my education in interfaith dialogue was the Geneva of the Middle East. Theology. and peacemaking, God showed me the In 1975, all of that was blown apart Additionally, I right place to study by directing me to due to an intersectarian war. Lebanon have earned my Hartford Seminary on the internet. was caught in a cycle of threats. Then, Bachelor of Science Lebanon became “full of sects but Degree in Zoology I am confident that living, learning, empty of religion.” The war lasted for from Mandalay and worshiping together with the inter- 15 years after which the Lebanese lived University. faith community at Hartford Seminary in a “cold” war. The intensification of will enable me to contribute more the regional conflict put increased stress Describe the religious conflicts in your fully to my civic community and to on Lebanon’s system and security infra- home country. extend the necessary support to my structure. Lebanon absorbs most of the home country in more constructive and regional conflicts’ tensions. Lebanon’s In Myanmar, Buddhism has historically empowering ways. complex religious and ethnic make-up Praxis | December 2014 3 NEW FACULTY PUBLICATIONS Hartford Seminary celebrated the debut of Prof. Shanell T. Prof. Najib Awad also has a new Smith’s first academic book on Oct. 23, 2014, with a talk book out: Persons in Relation: An Es- and signing. The Woman Babylon and the Marks of Empire: say on the Trinity and Ontology. Prof. Reading Revelation with a Postcolonial Womanist Hermeneu- Awad’s book is unique in that it is tics of Ambiveilence, is part of the Emerging Scholars series not simply a work on the doctrine published by Fortress Press. of the Trinity, but rather “an ex- ploration by means of the Trinity.” Prof. Smith talked about the two schol- Prof. Awad examines the concepts arly conversations in which her book of personhood and rationality, two engages: One is feminist interpretation themes that are prominent within of Babylon in Revelation 17-18 and the doctrine of the trinity. the other is African-American interpre- tations of Revelation in general. She pointed out that at the time of the pub- Prof. Lucinda Mosher’s Death, Resur- lication of her book only four African- rection, and Human Destiny: Christian American scholars had published work and Muslim Perspectives was published on Revelation. by Georgetown University Press. She co-edited the book with David Marshall of Duke Divinity School. The book is “My work adds a new perspective,” she said. “My aim is not the proceedings of the 2012 Building to discount, disregard, or decrease the impact that [their Bridges Seminar — an annual interna- work] has in Revelation scholarship, but rather to further the tional colloquium of scholars. Dr. Mosher is the Assistant conversation, inspiring others in the process.” Academic Director of the seminar. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ has led to ideological and political this must lead to cooperation in the theological books at a Christian pub- polarization and fragmented alliances community, friendship through associ- lisher in Jakarta for one year. Then, amongst its eighteen recognized sects. ation, and obedience to spiritual com- I decided to continue my studies The strategic and critical importance of mands. As we encounter one another, and received my Master’s Degree in this small country lies in the fact that we engage in a high level of sociability Christian Education at JTS in 2010. it is known for being the political, eco- and of consciousness. Dialogue itself is After