The Protestant Reformation was one of the major turning points in Western history and encompassed not only the relationship of faith and reason in religion but also impacted many other dimensions of society including economic, political, social and educational. As we observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we will take some time to examine the lessons learned from history while debating how best to reform our current world. We will explore questions such as:
• What institutions need reforming today? Our churches? Our colleges? Our political system?
• How do we speak truth to power?
• How do we act on our conscience?
• How do we find the causes that make us want to act?
• Why should we want to force change?
Join us as we explore the concept that we – as a community and as individuals – are always reforming.
The committee encourages topics from students, faculty or staff as well as collaborative proposals. A variety of presentation styles from traditional to performance-based are welcome. Each concurrent session should seek to make the world a better place and spark debate such that concrete actions may emerge from the session. Examples of topics that would be of interest include:
- Reformation in Religion and Faith (historical or current)
- Reformation and Education
- Science, Church and Change
- Interfaith Dialog
- Gender and Women’s Rights
- Race Relations
- Eco-Reformation-Environmental Issues (Climate Change, Natural Resources Depletion, Pollution, etc.)
- Historical issues with contemporary relevance.
- Role of Art, Literature, Music, or Film in transformation
- Social engagement with contemporary societal issues both locally and globally
- Dimensions of Human Rights activism,
- Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in facilitating change
- Questions or issues of U.S. foreign policy
- The role of the Internet in creating/facilitating change
- Aspects of Global Economics, such as, the increasing economic divide
- Challenges for Health Care, including affordability and accessibility
- The Great Migration and Refugee Crisis
- International Dimensions of church expression such as Theology of Accompaniment and Young Adults in Global Ministry (YAGM)
Confirmed Speakers
• Dr. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA
• Dr. Cynthia Moe Lobeda, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley
• Jim Ziolkowski, author “Walk in Their Shoes: Can One Person Change the World?” and founder, president, and CEO of buildOn