The University’s ongoing Interfaith Dialogue Dinner Series, “Common and Diverse Ground: Raising Consciousnesses by Acknowledging the ‘Hidden’ Things that Divide Us,” is returning in a virtual format for the Fall 2020 semester.
Over the past five years, the series has brought members of the campus community together in an inclusive environment to explore challenging contemporary issues. These dialogues have typically taken place through in-depth, in-person conversations. However, this semester the Interfaith Dialogue Dinners will take place on Zoom, expanding opportunities for participants within and beyond Central New York while maintaining an accessible space for all.
The first program of this semester will explore the topic, “Black Liberation Theology of Disability,” as part of Disability Awareness Month, which is recognized annually in October. Led by guest co-facilitator Rev. Kendrick Kemp ’02 and graduate student Ethan Smith ’20, the event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Kemp is a professional speaker who has shared his personal stories about disability and race throughout the country to advocate for the equality of disabled BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color). He is a 2002 graduate of Syracuse University who is currently pursuing his doctorate in ministry at Howard University’s School of Divinity. Learn more about Kemp and Black Liberation Theology of Disability on Kemp’s website.
Smith is the convener of the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders (S.A.I.L.) of Hendricks Chapel and he has worked throughout campus to promote interfaith cooperation and understanding. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
Registration for this program is required, and is available directly on the Zoom platform. Those who would like or prefer alternative registration are invited to contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.
All participants are welcome to bring their own meal to the “virtual table” during the conversation. Although this semester’s Interfaith Dialogue Dinner series will not permit the sharing of a traditionally provided, inclusive dinner, both virtual conversations being held during the Fall 2020 semester will allow participants to break bread in company with one another, providing secular and spiritual nourishment.
The second virtual Interfaith Dialogue Dinner of Fall 2020 will take place on Nov. 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., also via Zoom. Guest co-facilitator Ralph Savarese, a professor at Grinnell College, and graduate student co-facilitator Sarah Nahar will lead a conversation about “‘Moby Dick,’ Faith and Ecology,” focused on the intersection of climate change, disability, literature and faith. Learn more about Savarese’s research and scholarship on his Grinnell College webpage. Registration is required, and is available on the Zoom platform.
Both events in the series are free and open to the public. Live captioning, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and image descriptions will be provided at both programs. For requests for additional accommodations or questions, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901 at least one week prior to the event date.
The Fall 2020 “Common and Diverse Ground” series is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, the Burton Blatt Institute’s Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
