Interfaith Leadership for the 21st Century: Two events with Imam Abdullah Antepli at Candler School of Theology

What is the future of interfaith engagement in an increasingly diverse and politically polarized American society? What challenges will religious and civic leaders face as the 21st century progresses? What steps should young people in Atlanta take to develop enduring and meaningful multifaith relations?  

Candler School of Theology at Emory University and the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation will host two events on November 1, 2017, to explore the challenges and opportunities for interfaith initiatives in Atlanta and across the United States. Students, young professionals, clergy, and members of the Atlanta community are invited to a lunchtime lecture and an evening dinner workshop with Imam Abdullah Antepli, Chief Representative of Muslim Affairs at Duke University.

 

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

11:00 AM-12:45 PM – Lunch Lecture

“Between Fear and Hope: The Future of Interfaith Engagement”

Candler School of Theology, Room 252

6:30-8:30 PM – Dinner Workshop

“Dismantling Bias and Hate: Steps for Building Meaningful Multifaith Relations”

Candler School of Theology, Room 102

 

Both events will be held at Candler School of Theology (Rita Anne Rollins Building, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322) and are free and open to the public, with registration required. Kosher and halal meal options will be available.

Register online by noon on October 25 at http://tinyurl.com/Antepli-Events.

Abdullah Antepli is the Chief Representative of Muslim Affairs at Duke University, where he previously served as first Muslim chaplain from July 2008 to 2014. Imam Antepli completed his basic training and education in his native Turkey. From 1996-2003 he worked on a variety of faith-based humanitarian and relief projects in Myanmar (Burma) and Malaysia with the Association of Social and Economic Solidarity with Pacific Countries. He is the founder and an executive board member of the Association of College Muslim Chaplains (ACMC) and a board member of the Association for College and University Religious Affairs (ACURA). From 2003 to 2005 he served as the first Muslim chaplain at Wesleyan University. He then moved to Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, where he was the associate director of the Islamic Chaplaincy Program & Interfaith Relations, as well as an adjunct faculty member. In his current work at Duke, Antepli engages students, faculty, and staff across and beyond campus through seminars, panels, and other avenues to provide a Muslim voice and perspective to the discussions of faith, spirituality, social justice, and more. Imam Antepli also serves as a faculty member in the Duke Divinity School, teaching a variety of courses on Islam and Muslim cultures.

Reverend Sam G. Candler Invocation Remarks for the 2017 Peachtree Road Race

BLESSINGS! BLESSINGS! BLESSINGS!

An Invocation for the Peachtree Road Race, 4 July 2017
By The Very Reverend Sam G. Candler

From all over America, from all over the world, we gather today for the blessings of running and rejoicing, for the blessings of diversity and freedom!

We are different today! We are runners, we are walkers, we are wheelchairs. We are elite, we are not-so-elite – we are ordinary, and we are extraordinary. We are believers in God, and we are not believers in God.

But, today, we are One. We believe in the Peachtree Road Race, and its ability to gather all sorts and conditions of humanity in blessing America on this Fourth of July.

In the name of God, and in all the names of God, we bless each other in the Peachtree Road Race.

Blessings to Muslims: Asalamu Aleikum!

Blessings to Jews: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu!

Blessings to Christians: Jesus loves you! Benedicite Deus!

To Hindus, to Buddhists, to atheists, to agnostics.

God blesses each and every one of us. Dios les bendiga!

May this Peachtree Road Race be safe and fun, may it be challenging and relaxing. May today be a holiday, a holy day, of blessing and grace, of vigor and energy!

In the Name of God, and in all the Names of God – the God above us and the God beside us, the God at the starting line and the God at the finish line – we bless each other. In the running of the Peachtree Road Race today, in Atlanta, God bless all of America. AMEN.

The Very Reverend Sam G. Candler
4 July 2017