World Religions

Alexis Weiss, Loyola Marymount University, Chair

Members Present

  • Alexis Weiss, Loyola Marymount University (Chair)
  • Patrick Milas, New Brunswick Theological Seminary
  • Karla Grafton, Hartford International University
  • W. Field, William Booth College, UK
  • Ellen Frost, Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology

Absentee Members

  • Desirae Zingarelli-Sweet, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (Co-Chair)
  • Megan Welsh, University of Colorado Boulder
  • Yasmine Abou-El-Kheir, Chicago Theological Seminary
  • Stephen Sweeney, St. John Vianney Seminary
  • Daniel Baek, Vancouver School of Theology
  • Judy Clarence, Global Ministries University
  • Beth Kumar, Graduate Theological Union

Agenda

  1. Introductions
  2. Last year in review
  3. Nominations of Open Positions
  4. Plans for next year and rollover of ideas from before

Year in Review

  • While we were able to convene and record our first potential podcast for WRIG, we had unfortunate sound quality issues, which made rendering a viable recording impossible. We might consider trying this format again in the future.
  • With many thanks to Jamie Lin for organizing the event, WRIG sponsored two separate viewing sessions and discussions of the documentary Mission: Joy, a conversation between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. These happened in December of 2021 and February of 2022.
  • WRIG sponsored the worship service: Practicing the Four Immeasurable Qualities, presented by Alexis Weiss at the 2022 Annual Conference in Baltimore.

Other

Nominations for Open Positions

  • Alexis is stepping down as chair and will be replaced by Desirae Zingarelli-Sweet.
  • We are in need of volunteers for the position of Vice Chair and of Secretary (which remained empty this past year).
  • Since the meeting was small, a call for these positions will go out to the listserv in the coming weeks.
  • Alexis Weiss offered to take the role of Secretary in the event that no other volunteers came forward.

Possible Plans for the Coming Year

  • Briefly discussed hosting a blog; this was on last year’s list of items. Since the number attending the business meeting was small, this may be considered later.
  • Discussed hosting an excursion next year in Dallas-Ft. Worth area to the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum https://www.dhhrm.org/
  • Also discussed combining this with an excursion to see Bridwell Library’s special collections. Ellen mentioned that Bridwell has a Chinese Torah scroll and other items that may be of interest to those interested in World Religions.