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Inspiring Stories: In the Face of Irreconcilable Differences
December 14, 2022 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Bridging the red-blue divide in our families, faith communities, and beyond
Welcome to our third season of storytelling and conversation on complex issues we all care about. Once again, The Guibord Center and IslamiCity are bringing together people with rich spiritual backgrounds and diverse perspectives to share powerful stories from the heart and invite you into the conversation.
We’ve all been there–that moment when we realize that our political disagreements with someone we care for are so profound that we wonder how we will be able to keep the relationship going. In those moments, what kind of guidance can we find in our spiritual traditions to make important decisions about whether to stick with it, take a break or bring it to a close? Our storytellers will share their experiences and the wisdom they have leaned on in those challenging moments.
Our Moderator and Speakers for this event:
Bishop Mary Ann Swenson
Bishop Mary Ann McDonald Swenson is a retired bishop of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Having recently completed a 9-year term as vice moderator for the central committee of the World Council of Churches, Bishop Swenson has served as ecumenical officer for the...
John Ishvaradas Abdallah
John Ishvaradas Abdallah (meaning “servant of God” in Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and Muslim traditions) is the preferred pen name of Syed Riyaz Mahdi. A speaker and writer and an independent activist Sufi, he is the author of A Sufi’s Ruminations On One World Under...
Pedro Silva
Pedro Silva brings a wealth of cross-sector experience to his current position as Director of Engagement with YOUnify. A veteran of the United States Air Force, who served as both a Satellite Communications Technician and a Mandarin Chinese Language/Intelligence...
Chitra Golestani
Dr. Chitra Golestani is the Associate Director of the Wilmette Institute, an Adjunct Faculty at the Institute for Humane Education and Consortial Faculty at the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. She also works as an educational consultant, guest lecturer,...
Josué Emmanuel Muñoz
Josué Emmanuel Muñoz (they/them) is a SoCal-based Latinxx transmedia storyteller and mindful media educator from West Chicago. Raised Catholic, Josué has been on a journey to decolonize their spiritual path. To ease the cultural and religious tensions within our...