- Safeguarding Religious Values from Political Manipulation
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Weaver, M.Th., Ph.D.;
Methodist Minister; Contributor, talk2action.com; associate editor, Zion's Voice, oldest extant Methodist periodical; clinical psychologist
Contributing Author, “Hardball on Holy Ground:
the Religious Right v. the Mainline for the Church's Soul”
A noted Activist on behalf of religious freedom and diversity,
Rev. Weaver will help clergy and concerned lay people
prepare to inoculate their
congregations against destructive outside troublemakers.
Rev. John Dorhaur ; Guest Presenter
- Listening to the Voices of Youth
The Rev. Joyce Hartwell; interfaith minister,
founder and pastor of the
Artist All Faith Center Perform Arts Church of the Capital Region
Youth, through their music and poetry are telling us about their concern
for communities, country, and the world.
Though we might not comprehend what they are saying,
it is imperative that we listen and learn to understand.
- Interfaith Dialogue — Voices of Religious Diversity and Freedom
Moderator: The Rev. Robert Lamar
Panelists:
- The Rev. James Kane;
Ecumenical and Interfaith officer of the Roman Catholic diocese of Albany
- Rabbi Beverly Magidson;
Chaplain of Spiritual Care for Daughters of Sarah Nursing Home,
and a winner of the Jewish Family Services Community Service Award
- Imam Ahmed Kobeisy;
Islamic Center, Capital District
- Guest Panelist Matthew Cherry
President, The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief within the U.N.
system to promote and defend international agreements protecting freedom of conscience.
Mr. Cherry is a Humanist
- Media Voices — The Progressive Moral Imperative
Panelists:
- Mr. Robert Brill;
Albany Times Union, Religion and City Desk Editor
- Ms. Maureen Aumand;
Women Against War
- The Rev. Jo Page
Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church; Metroland, contributing columnist
The media panel will discuss the media's new found openness to innovation and outside ideas
in a rapidly evolving information landscape.
The powerful impact of the internet is changing
how news is produced and communicated.
They will consider tactics for getting media
to listen to the allies of the socially and economically disenfranchised
instead of accepting as spokesmen,
the foes of those abandoned by forces
which seek to suppress their voices.